Los Angeles County Fire Dept

[chcmedic93]

[quote name='casey' date='17 February 2010 - 06:07 PM' timestamp='1266457648' post='364685']

Even though they look the same both are very quite diffirent







Photo by Monrovia1

EST 94 EST stands for Emergency Support Team the EST concept was thought of by Current LACo Chief Freeman. The original EST's were assigned to 18's, 42's, 59's, 85's, 94's, 129's 145's. EST 18 & 42 have NEVER been staffed. They are used as reserve est's when the others go down for mechanical reasons. The others are staffed with two firefighters. With some changes of apparatus up in the Antelope Valley EST 129 has now become EST 33. The EST's were originally placed at a four man engine company station. The Dept created an additional FF post position at these stations to give them a total of 5 personnel. The engine now became a 3 man engine & the est had 2 ff's.



The EST's were in an area that predominently had 3 man engine companies & they responded to augment that engines manpower. It was an attempt to add man power at a cheaper price rather than just putting a 4th FF on the 3 man Engines. The EST's respond only with certain stations. This is referred to as "The WHEEL" . The Wheel for each station encompasses about 6-8 stations. Example, EST59 responded with 59's, 96's, 15's, 49's, 28's & 91's (at the time, all were 3 man engines with the exception of E15). EST's are recommended on certain types of calls, ones that require man power (structures, hazmats, over the sides, etc). Medicals & single engine responses don't require an EST, this is why you here them add themselves to responses.



Just a little about that. Some stations where EST's are housed have new firefighters. Back in the begining of the EST's, the Captains at these stations theory was, "If I have to go on a Sick person at 2am, there is no way my 2 boot firefighters are going to stay in bed while I am gone. They are going with me." On the other side, there are a few EST stations that don't have boots & these guys don't ever add themselves to medical calls

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Thanks.