Suppression
The Ventura Fire Department performs a wide variety of functions and duties related to fire suppression and public service. Everything from extinguishing fires of all types, to performing fire prevention duties to responding to general calls for service such as a report of a child locked in a vehicle. We are even occasionally called to rescue cats out of trees.
The basic emergency unit within the fire department
is the engine company. The engine company consists of a Captain who supervises
the crew, an Engineer who is responsible for the safe operation of the
apparatus and all equipment on-board, and a Firefighter/ Paramedic who
carries out the basic firefighting tasks needed and directs advanced life
support treatment. The engine company is highly trained and very versatile.
The fire department also staffs a highly specialized piece of equipment
call a "truck". The truck company is staffed by a Captain, an
Engineer and two Firefighters. The truck company performs highly specialized
operations such as operating rescue extrication tools and equipment to
help free victims who are trapped in accidents or collapses. They are
trained to operate in confined spaces or in high angle situations such
as over a cliffside. The truck company also provides support to the engine
company at fires and can even utilize the aerial ladder to perform rescues
or apply water if needed.
During firefighting and rescue operations the tactics may include considerations
for potential rescues, threatened exposures and property conservation.
The City of Ventura is not immune from emergency events large or small
and the men and women firefighters of the department have bravely answered
the call to duty and have been very successful in mitigating these emergencies
rapidly and safely.