Question for any Los Angeles Fire Buffs

[SageVigiles 1,194]

I was wondering if anyone could explain to me the way LAFD's alarm system operates. They don't use numbered alarms, but I hear the following terms at lot when I monitor them at work.

"Structure Fire"

"Greater Alarm Fire"

"Major Emergency Fire"

Is that basically their equivalent of a 1, 2 and 3+ alarm fire? Any help would be appreciated.

[firebuff88 4]

A structure fire is equivalent a building fire. They can be classified into 2 categories:

"A" Assignment - structure fire in a single family building. 2 engines, 1 truck and 1 BC are assigned.

"B" Assignment - structure fire in a high density residential building or high hazard setting. 3 engines, 2 trucks, 1 BC are usually assigned.

Greater Alarm - 6 or more companies assigned to an incident

Major Emergency - 15 or more companies assigned to an incident

[pump305 53]

Structure assignment... 1 Task Force (Truck 2 Engines) 1 single Engine 1 ALS or BLS Ambulance and a BC.

Commercial Fire... 2 Task Forces, 1 Engine co,ALS , BLS Ambulance, Squad (Haz Mat) BC and one add engine for command post.

Either one of these assignments can be modified.