They must take into account the driving conditions, the routes they are taking, the routes of other responding fire apparatus and chiefs, and the driving habits of the civilian public at large.

The engine boss and the driver/apparatus operator must determine the best way to respond to the fire.

Response Size-Up - The size-up for the engine company is a multi-layer task. To make this a success we are going to need engine companies and their water. Everyday in America numerous fire departments are fighting fires in structures. because if it was, everyone would do it and we would not have fires to go to. That is as basic as it gets but it is not that easy. Their job is to put water on the fire and then we can go home. The engine's main function should be to get water on to the fire. The engine company size-up will differ from that of the ladder company due to the required tasks on the fireground. These are just a few of the size-up factors that should be considered at any fire or report of fire.

As the officer you know the area and start to think about hose lines, water supply, access to the fire building. Your fire size-up starts with receipt of alarm. Your size-up should start everyday with the current weather conditions. You are the officer of an engine company responding to a reported fire in a private dwelling and dispatch calls you on the radio and states 'Dispatch to Engine 234, it sound like you are going to work. The size-up for the engine company is a multi-layer task.

Fire officer initial sizeup