Cleveland Fire Department: Local 93

The Cleveland Fire Department became a full time paid department in 1863 and is comprised of approximately 900 members.
There are 26 CFD firehouses.
24 Engine companies.(staffed with 4 firefighters/EMT)
13 Ladder companies.(staffed with 4 firefighters/EMT)
4 Rescue Squad companies.(staffed with 4 firefighters, always have at least 1 paramedic /firefighter)
6 Battalions.(each Chief has an aide)
1 Fireboat(housed at station 21)
A hazmat team (housed at station 13)

Headquarters is located at 1645 Superior ave.
Phone number- 216-664-6800

The Cleveland Fire Department uses traditional specialized company operations.

Engine companies (Pumpers) extinguish fires, respond to various emergencies and perform prehospital care at the EMT Basic level. Pumpers carry water and hoses of various sizes.

Hook & Ladder companies (Trucks) perform forcible entry, ventilation, secure utilities, salvage, overhaul, search and rescue, respond to various emergencies and perform prehospital care at the EMT Basic level. Ladders carry ground ladders, 100 ft aerial ladder and many different tools.

Rescue Squads perform search and rescue, work as ordered by the Battalion Chief (take in an additional hose line, forcible entry, ventilation, overhaul). Rescue squads carry specialized equipment for a variety of rescue emergencies and many different tools. Rescue squads are fully equipped for transport of critically ill or injured patients and provide prehospital care at the Paramedic level.

Helmet color is based on which company a firefighter is assigned to.

The only exception is that all Chiefs wear White helmets.

-Black fire helmets are worn by Engine Company members.

-Red fire helmets are worn by Hook and Ladder Company members.

-Yellow fire helmets are worn by Rescue Company members.

CFD responses

"Wheels Rolling"

-stating over the radio that the company is responding

"Backing in"

-stating over the radio that the company has returned to quarters

Still

-single engine response. (Car fire, Dumpster fire etc.)

MVA

-1 Engine, 1 Ladder (used for making the scene safe by blocking the working area),and 1 Rescue Squad.

If there is Entrapment the response is the same as above and the nearest Battalion chief also responds as I.C.

Box alarm

-2 Engine companies, 1 Ladder company, 1 Rescue squad, 1 Battalion Chief.

Working Fire response dispatch- 1 additional Ladder company (RIT), 1 additional Engine company (worker)

Signal 2-2-2 (Triple Two)

-Second alarm. A double Box alarm. (4 engines, 2 ladders, 2 Rescue Squads, 2 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Assistant Chief, RIT (Ladder), Worker (engine)

Signal 3-3-3 (Triple 3)

-3rd alarm

First responder

- The nearest Engine or ladder company responds on a medical emergency

Emergency

-(open hydrant, 911 hang up etc.)

Employment.
The last entrance exam was given in October, 1998.
There has NOT been an official announcement for the next entrance exam and hiring process.
There were 2 classes (approximately 140 cadets) hired from that test.
The written test was comprised of: 1. Reading comprehension, 2. Math, 3. Short term memory, and 4. Mechanical aptitude. The physical exam was comprised of:
1. Climbing 55 stairs carrying a different item, 3 times. (up 55 stairs, down 55, up 55, down 55, up 75)

2. Climbing through a tunnel that was approximately 36 inches high, 36 inches wide and 20 ft long.

3. Grabbing a 185lb mannequin and pulling it through the tunnel, out the end and dragging it back around to the beginning point.

4. Dragging 100 ft of 4 inch supply hose, 100 ft down and 100ft back.

5. lifting a 20ft straight ladder from a rack and carrying it approximately 20 feet, placing it on a table (maintaining control) and re-racking it when done.

The test are timed and extremely competitive.

Each are 50% of the total score. Candidates are then, ranked according to their scores. The next step is a written psychological exam (approximately 800 questions) followed by an interview with a psychologist.

There has NOT been an official announcement for the next entrance exam and hiring process.
Click the link below for the Cleveland civil service page. They post the announcement for an entrance exam.
(Cleveland Civil service commission) Click Here

Some of the services that the Cleveland Firefighters provide:
1. Fire suppression
2. Pre hospital medical treatment
3. Technical rescue
4. Hazard materials emergency mitigation
5. Smoke detectors
6. Fire prevention bureau
7. Arson investigation unit
8. Public Education
9. Staffing the Fire Dispatch Center