(1 or 2) Dispatcher (s)
A Dispatcher receives reports of emergencies by telephone, telegraph alarm, or dialer-alarm and dispatches the appropriate apparatus to handle the emergency. Dispatchers are assigned to the Fire Alarm Division and are not counted as shift staffing.
Each Battalion works a rotating schedule of 24 hours on duty followed by 72 hours off duty. . The schedule is never interrupted by holidays, weather, or for any other reason; there is always a Battalion on duty. This is a relatively standard work schedule for New Hampshire Firefighters.
Each piece of apparatus performs a different function and carries different specialized equipment. Also, given the minimum staffing levels listed above, additional companies are often required to simply have enough personnel available to safely handle an emergency.
The following explains the functions of the different types of companies:
Engine Company
  
 
A Class A f ire engine is a 1,500 gallon per minute pumping apparatus that carries firefighters, equipment, hose and 1000 gallons of water to emergency scenes.
Some functions of an Engine Company are: rescue, fire extinguishment, medical first response, technical rescue, and hazardous materials mitigation.
At the scene of a fire the Engine Company is responsible for victim rescue and advancing hose lines to the seat of the fire to either extinguish the fire or to hold it in check, thereby maintaining exit routes for escaping or rescued occupants and firefighters.
At the scene of an emergency medical service (EMS) call the Engine Company is responsible for first response patient care, assisting the Rescue Company in continuing patient care, patient packaging, patient removal, and assisting the Rescue Company with patient transport if needed.
Some equipment carried by the Engine Company includes: hose of various size and lengths, water, firefighting foam, axes, pry-bars, a 12 foot roof-hook ladder (which hooks on to roof top to provide some safety to firefighters working on a roof), a 24 foot ground ladder (capable of reaching the second floor), self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), gas detectors, automatic external defibrillators (AED), oxygen, first aid equipment, some hazardous materials containment equipment, some rope/harness/technical rescue equipment, and a water rescue suit.
The Engine Company is generally staffed by (1) Company Officer (a Captain or Lieutenant) and (2) Firefighters. One of the Firefighters is assigned as the Driver/Operator, and therefore is not directly involved in actual firefighting inside a building.
Ladder Company
The ladder truck is an aerial apparatus that carries firefighters and a variety of equipment to emergency scenes.
Some functions of a ladder company are: rescue, assisting in fire extinguishment by providing adequate ventilation, forcible entry, medical first responder, technical rescue and hazardous materials mitigation.
At the scene of a fire the Ladder Company is responsible for victim rescue, gaining access to buildings and upper floors, ventilation of fire building (good ventilation releases heat and poisonous gases, increasing the chances of survival for victims and allowing the Engine Company to access and extinguish the fire), salvage of belongings, and overhaul (ensuring a fire has been completely extinguished).
At the scene of an emergency medical service (EMS) call the Ladder Company is responsible for first response patient care, assisting the Medic Company in continuing patient care, patient packaging, patient removal, and assisting the Medic Company with patient transport if needed.
Some equipment carried by the Ladder Company includes: 100 foot aerial ladder/platform, various size roof-hook and ground ladders, self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), axes, pry-bars, saws, fans, tarps/salvage covers, gas detectors, automatic external defibrillators (AED), oxygen, first aid equipment, some hazardous materials containment equipment, some rope/harness/technical rescue equipment, water rescue suit, and a thermal imaging camera.
The Ladder Company is generally cross staffed by (2) Firefighters. One of the Firefighters is assigned as the Driver/Operator, and therefore is not directly involved in actual firefighting inside a building. If unit is needed in mutual aid town, an officer will accompany the responding apparatus.
Medic Company
 
 
The Medic unit is a vehicle that carries firefighters and firefighter/paramedics, firefighting, rescue, and advanced life support EMS equipment to an emergency scene. The rescue also transports sick and injured patients to the hospital. Some functions of a Medic Company are: rescue, fire extinguishment, providing advanced life support, patient transport, technical rescue and hazardous materials mitigation.
At the scene of a fire the Medic Company is responsible for victim rescue, assisting the Engine Company with hose placement, advancing additional hose lines, and assisting the ladder with ventilation.
At the scene of an EMS call the Medic Company is responsible advanced life support patient care, continuing patient care initiated by the Engine or Ladder Company, patient packaging, patient removal, and patient transport.
Some equipment carried by the Medic Company includes: self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), axes, pry-bars, oxygen, first aid equipment, 12 lead EKG & defibrillator machine (capable of transmitting directly to the emergency room and cardiac unit at surrounding hospitalsl), advanced airway management equipment, intravenous (IV) therapy equipment, medications for medical and/or trauma incidents.
The Medic Company is staffed with (1) Firefighter/Paramedic and (1) Firefighter.
BIKE MEDICS
Bike Medics are used for special event EMS. Some examples of special events would be: parades, fairs, and large gatherings wehre access to an ambulance may be minimally delayed due to crowds. The Bike Medics carry Paramedic level EMS gear to begin patient care.
Battalion Chief
The Battalion Chief is the Shift Commander, and he travels to the scene of emergency incidents in a Chevrolet Suburban which is designed for use as a mobile command post.
At the scene of an emergency incident the Battalion Chief is responsible for planning the tactics and strategies to bring the incident under control, monitoring the situation for overall safety issues, assessing the need for additional resources, and monitoring progress of operations underway.
Some equipment carried by the Battalion Chief includes: personnel accountability system, hazardous materials references, gas detector, thermal imaging camera, automatic external defibrillator (AED), oxygen, first aid equipment, (1) SCBA, a lap top computer, cellular phone, cellular fax machine, and a variety of different radios.
The Battalion Chief's unit is generally only staffed by (1) Battalion Chief.
Forestry Unit and Brush Tanker
 
The forestry unit is a four wheel drive vehicle that carries firefighters, equipment and a small amount of water to remote locations of brush fires.
Some equipment carried on the forestry includes: water, portable pumps, hose, shovels, rakes, axes, picks and a chain saw.
The forestry unit are not generally staffed. If a forestry unit is needed, the firefighters from the Central Station second ambulance will drive it to the emergency scene and operate it as needed.
The brush tanker is a 4 wheel drive tanker used to carry water in "off road" conditions. It is cross manned by the firefighters at Station 2 and is taken to brush calls as needed in Derry.
Tanker Unit
The tanker is a water supply vehicle that carries 2400 gallons of water and 1000 feet of supply hose (5” diameter hose, like a portable water main) to the scene of a fire that occurs outside of an area that is protected by fire hydrants.
At a fire the tanker operator is responsible for setting up a water supply and getting the water from the water source to the fire engine operating at the fire scene.
Some equipment carried by the tanker includes: hose, water, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), portable collapsible water tank (like a giant kids pool).
The tanker is not generally staffed. If the tanker is needed, firefighters from the Central Station second Medic Company will drive it to the emergency scene.
The tanker is not designed nor does it carry ground ladders or the needed equipment to be used in place of an Engine Company. The Tankers main job is to bring water.
Rescue Company
  
The Rescue Truck is equipped with a large box body and roll up doors. The Rescue Truck carries equipment needed at large scale fires, hazardous materials incidents, and technical rescue scenes. It also has awnings on both sides that can be extended to shelter firefighters from hot or inclement weather.
Some equipment carried by the special operations vehicle includes: hazardous materials containment equipment, rope, harnesses, high angle rescue equipment, below grade rescue equipment, confined space rescue equipment, air bags for heavy lifting, ice rescue suits, battery and air poswered tools, cribbing and hydralic rescue tools (jaws of life).
The Rescue Truckis not generally staffed. If it is needed, firefighters from the Central Station second medic company will drive it to the emergency scene. In the case of a large fire, an off duty firefighter may be called in to bring the Rescue Truck to the scene.
Rescue Boat
The rescue boat is an inflatable Zodiac-style boat towed to water and ice rescue scenes.
At a water or ice rescue scene firefighters will deploy the boats to rescue or recover victims in the water.
Some equipment carried on the boats includes: ropes, life jackets, life throw rings, helmets, and a gas motor.
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