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Firefighter Catalog of Terms

The Firefighter Catalog of Terms are items related to OCFA firefighters, firefighting, and/or the fire service.

These terms are provided for a better understanding what we do, why, and how. And should not to be considered a representation of other agencies or associations.

If there is a term you would like to be considered for the Catalog, please email us through the contact page link.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Emergency medical services are a branch of emergency services dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency.Read More

Hand Crew

A hand crew is an organized group made of approximately 20 trained and qualified individuals that are principally used for wild land fire operations. The primary mission of OCFA’s firefighter hand crew is to provide a safe, organized, mobile, and highly skilled workforce for all phases of wild land fire operations. The tough duties and specialized assignments required of hand crew personnel necessitate staffing, certification, training, and qualifications that are the same, and adhered to by all.Read More

International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) represents more than 1.2 million firefighters and emergency respondents. IAFC are professionals that cover various duties such as terrorism response, hazardous material spills, national disasters, search and rescue and emergency medical services. The IAFC was formed during 1873 in Fairfax Virginia.Read More

International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)

The IAFF was founded in 1918 to bring together firefighters for improved safety, better wages, and greater service for the community. It was then headquartered in Washington D.C. where it all started by a member driven organization “for firefighters, by firefighters”. Read More

Joint Powers Authority

JPA – The Joint Powers Authority (also known as the OCFA board of directors) is made up of 24 members and is responsible for policy adjustment and budget allocation matters related to the OCFA. 22 of the JPA’s members represent one the OCFA’s incorporated cities (with one representative per city) and the remaining two represent the unincorporated cities. The JPA meets bimonthly.

The JPA also encompasses the Budget and Finance committee and the Executive Committee.

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Urban Search & Rescue (US&R)

US&R involves the location, rescue (extrication), and initial medical treatment of victims trapped as a result of structural collapses and other natural or man-made catastrophes. Considered a "multi-hazard" discipline, it may be needed for a variety of emergencies or disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, storms and tornadoes, floods, dam failures, technological accidents, terrorist activities, and hazardous materials releases.Read More

Water Tender

A water tender, also known as a tanker, is designed for transporting water to a fire scene. Essentially a large tank on wheels, tenders are able to collect water from various sourcess including: ponds, rivers, lakes, and hydrants. The water is then transported to terrain where no hydrant system or other water source is present. Unlike a fire engine, tenders do not have the pumping capacity to power large hose lines, but a smaller on-board pump allows for water to be taken from water sources and supply fire engine(s) with a very rapid connection to begin extinguishment.  Read More

Fallen Firefighters Fund

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