GLOSSARY/TERMS

First Acting Man: Our term for a senior firefighter assigned to either the Engine Company, Ladder Company or Squad Company. There is only one First Acting Man assigned to each company. With a total of three in the department. These individuals will act as an officer in charge of a unit should there not be a line officer readily available in quarters. This program was established in the first quarter of 2008. It is intended to place well rounded firefighters with experience into a roll that will show there strengths and weaknesses. This enables the operational leadership to see if an individual has what it takes to become a line officer (Sergeant, Lieutenant or Captain) and if so what areas he will need to improve in. This allows a buffer zone/trail period, before making a solid promotion. This also gives our officers a quality assurance standard.

“Twin” (Local Building Construction): Also known as a duplex, two family home or a semi-detached dwelling. In and around the Kentland area there are many structures that have two different addresses with two different families living in them that are joined together. Each has its own separate entrance and they are semicircle in their construction aspects. Most of them are considered ordinary construction and are two stories in height with a basement. However, some in the Palmer Park neighborhood (first due) are only one-story and have no basement. Because of their construction fires tend to be very hot in these types of buildings. Mostly due to their ability to hold in heat like a brick pizza oven.

“Triple” (Local Building Construction): Also known as a three family strip or three group row. These buildings are very common in the Kentland and Palmer Park areas. They are a row of three attached (addressed) homes. Two semi detached homes with a home that is attached on both sides in the middle. They are two-stories in height and rarely posses a basement. Most of these types of dwellings are built on a concrete slab foundation. They were also constructed in the post World War II era and are wood frame (not light weigh). Most of them also have a common attic area and knee walls in the second floor bedroom area. Making fire extension very possible in some cases.