Traditionally, Truck Company Operations consist of performing primary search, rescue operations, ventilation, salvage, and overhaul duties. Large departments typically have staffing levels that allow a full crew to operate with the sole function of the truck company duties. Many departments (volunteer, career, or combination) do not have adequate staffing to fulfill the many tasks and objectives for initial crews operating on the fire-ground. Faced with this problem every day, as both career and volunteer firemen, Michael Quinn and Marshall Younker II along with the Mid-Atlantic Instructor Group have created the Truck Work from the Engine course.

            The Truck Work from the Engine Course is a 14 hour course designed to help those crews operating with minimal staffing levels complete the all important objectives of Search and Rescue, coordinated ventilation and rapid extrication of victims from structures with a major focus on the Vent-Enter-Search aspect of fire-ground operations. The Truck Work from the Engine Course is an operational class; recommendations for participants are FF-1 certification and a basic understanding of hand tools, firefighting operations, and basic strategy for structural operations. The course has a short presentation for the classroom setting consisting of registration, introductions, and a brief power point. The remainder of the time will be spent working with tactical methods of coordinated ventilation, entry, and conducting primary search.

            Truck Work from the Engine will provide participants with scenario-based training in “realistic” crew sizes. Experience has shown that training with realistic crew size is important to help participants learn capabilities and techniques to improve proficiency.  A final scenario will allow all participants to utilize the skills practiced and help improve teamwork skills. Once completed, participants will be better prepared to face the objectives and assignments of the truck company effectively from the engine. Participants will also have a tactical advantage to complete tasks on the incident scene.