Apparatus, Gear & SCBA Glossary
Knowing your equipment is a survival skill. This hub covers terminology for fire apparatus, personal protective equipment, hose and nozzle systems, and self-contained breathing apparatus — from component names and maintenance concepts to the operational specs firefighters rely on every shift.
Topics covered: Engine/ladder/tanker anatomy, SCBA components and air management, PASS devices, structural PPE, hose types and couplings, nozzles (smooth bore/fog/combination), ground ladders, and pump operations.
71Published terms
71 terms, A-Z
Alphabetical. First 24 shown - click "Show all" to expand.
A (4)
Aerial LadderView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.air management systemView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Air Mask Buddy SystemView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Apparatus CompartmentView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.
B (3)
F (40)
facepiece exhalation valveView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Facepiece Exhalation Valve CoverView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece fit testView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Facepiece HarnessView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece lens anti-fog coatingView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece lens anti-scratch coatingView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece lens protective shieldView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece lens tear-off systemView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece lens thermal shieldView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece low air alarmView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece positive pressure systemView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece purge valveView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece regulatorView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece sealView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece speaking diaphragmView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.facepiece voice amplifierView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Fire Apparatus Stabilization SystemView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Fire Hose ApplianceView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Fire Hose CouplingView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.fire suppression systemView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Firefighter Escape SystemView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighter harnessView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighter harness systemView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighter helmetView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Firefighter Personal Alert Safety System (PASS)View definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighter personal flotation deviceView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighter radioView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Firefighter Safety RopeView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighter survival kitView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighter tool beltView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighter tool harnessView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighter tool kitView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighter tool pouchView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighter turnout gearView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Firefighting FoamView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.firefighting glovesView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.fireground communication systemView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.fireground tool kitView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.fireground tool management systemView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.fireground tool pouchView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.
H (10)
high-pressure hoseView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Hose BedView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.hose clampView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.hose jacketView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Hose ReelView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.hydrant gate valveView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.hydrant pressure gaugeView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.hydrant wrenchView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Hydraulic Hose CouplingView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Hydraulic Rescue ToolsView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.
P (6)
Portable GeneratorView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Positive Pressure RegulatorView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.PPE Decontamination KitView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Pressure Demand RegulatorView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Pressure-Reducing RegulatorView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.Pumper ApparatusView definition, usage notes, and related operational context.
R (2)
S (2)
Fire Apparatus, SCBA and Gear Terminology Every Firefighter Must Know
Equipment knowledge is operational safety. A firefighter who cannot identify a low-pressure alarm on their SCBA, who does not know the rated working pressure of their attack line, or who misidentifies a Siamese connection is a liability on the fireground. This hub builds the foundational vocabulary for apparatus, PPE, hose, nozzles, and breathing apparatus.
Coverage includes engine and ladder anatomy, SCBA components and air management (NFPA 1981, rated service time vs. actual), PASS device activation, structural turnout gear standards (NFPA 1971), hose types and couplings, nozzle selection (smooth bore, fog, combination/automatic), and pump operations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Apparatus, Gear & SCBA
What is the rated service life of a typical SCBA cylinder?
NFPA 1981 requires SCBA cylinders to provide a rated service time (RST) of 30, 45, or 60 minutes at a standard consumption rate. However, actual working time is typically 40-60% of the RST under fireground exertion. A 30-minute cylinder may provide only 12-18 minutes of working time for a working firefighter, which is why air management is critical.
What does PASS stand for and how does it activate?
PASS stands for Personal Alert Safety System — a motion-sensing device integrated into modern SCBA that emits a loud alarm (95 dB or greater) when a firefighter has been motionless for approximately 30 seconds. PASS activates automatically when the SCBA air supply is opened and can also be manually activated. NFPA 1982 governs PASS performance standards.
What is the difference between a smooth bore and a combination nozzle?
A smooth bore (solid stream) nozzle delivers an unbroken stream of water with high reach and penetration, preferred for large-flow, high-pressure operations. A combination (fog) nozzle produces adjustable patterns from straight stream to wide fog, offering flexibility for interior attack and exposure protection. Combination nozzles have higher friction loss than smooth bore at the same flow.
What NFPA standard covers structural firefighting PPE?
NFPA 1971 — Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting — governs the design, performance, testing, and certification of turnout gear including coat, pants, helmet, gloves, hood, and boots. Gear must be recertified or replaced when it no longer meets NFPA 1971 requirements, typically assessed every 10 years or after significant exposure.
What is the difference between an engine and a ladder company?
An engine company's primary mission is water supply and fire attack — it carries hose, a pump, and a water tank. A ladder (truck) company's primary mission is forcible entry, ventilation, search and rescue, elevated water streams, and salvage/overhaul — it carries ground ladders, power saws, an aerial device, and specialized tools but typically no pump or water tank.
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