Government > Departments > Fire and Emergency Services > Equipment > Engine Company

The Engine Company

These units are referred to as "engines" or "pumpers". Their normal function is to pump water from a source, through hose lines, and directed at the fire. Currently there are eight engine companies in the City of Albany.

Each engine company carries 600' of 5" hose, 500' of 3" hose, 450' of 2 1/2" hose, and 550' of 1 3/4" hose. In addition to this hose, these units carry the appropriate appliances, adapters and fittings to supply various hose layouts. Each unit also carries 25 gallons of foam, foam making equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus, spare bottles, hand tools, a 24' or 28' extension ladder, a 10' collapsible ladder.

All engine companies are equipped to handle “basic” life support calls. They carry automatic cardiac defibrillators, oxygen resuscitator, suction units, and all the related EMS basic life support equipment to ensure proper patient care. Engine #10 also is equipped to handle “advanced” life support (ALS) calls in addition to the above. For this reason this Engine Company is referred to as "Paramedic Engine 10".

All of the current engine companies are equipped with a 1500-gallon per minute pump, with the exception of Engine 4 and Engine 11, which have 1000 gallon per minute pumps.

The primary function of the Engine Company crew is the rescue of trapped occupants, treatment of injured parties (both fire related and EMS related), securing of water supply, applying water or extinguishing agent to the fire, and assisting in overhaul.