A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Eckert hook
Sharp hook on pike pole for cutting metal siding or roofs.

Eductor
Suction device operated by hose pressure to pull fluid from a reservoir and mix it with the hose stream; often used to add foaming or other materials to water streams.

Ejector
See Smoke ejector.

Electrical fire
A fire in which the primary source of heat is electricity, resulting in combustion of adjacent insulation and other materials; may be hazardous to attempt to extinguish using water.

Elevator key
Control panel override key to take elevator car to desired floor. May also refer to special tool used to open elevator shaft-protection doors from outside.

EMS
Emergency medical service(s).

Encapsulated suit
HAZMAT protective clothing used with SCBA inside the suit to protect a firefighter (HAZMAT technician) from gaseous contaminants. Also known as a Gas Suit.

Encoder
(1) Device for converting an input to a coded output; (2) tone-generating system for broadcasting one or more tone codes on a radio frequency to alert selected pagers and alarms; (3) alarm-system component that transmits coded sensor and subscriber information to a monitoring center to be processed into address and alarm-type information.

Engine
A fire suppression vehicle that has a water pump and, typically, is designed to carry firehose and a limited supply of water.

Engine
A truck outfitted for firefighting, specifically one outfitted to pump water. Generally, vehicles outfitted to pump water are called engines, while those which do not pump water (ladder trucks, tankers, rescues, for example) are not. Many rural fire engines carry a reservoir of water to pump, and use drafting and tankers to obtain further supply. Historically, an enjin" was a machine that only pumped water.

Engine
Any ground vehicle providing specified levels of pumping, water, and hose capacity but with less than the specified level of personnel.

Engine Company
A group of firefighters assigned to an apparatus with a water pump and equipped with firehose and other tools related to fire extinguishment.

Engine crew
A number of personnel trained and supervised to respond to incidents using an engine. Typically much smaller than a hand crew.

Engine house
[archaic] A firehouse housing an engine company.

Engine pressure
The pressure in a fire hose measured at the outlet of the pump.

Enhanced 9-1-1
Electronic system for automatic correllation of physical telephone lines with information about the location of the caller -- a useful tool for dispatchers when the caller has an emergency but cannot speak.

Escape fire
An intentional fire ignited by a fire crew, usually in a grassland environment, to escape a dangerous situation.

Escaped fire
A fire, which has exceeded or is expected to exceed initial attack capabilities or prescription.

Evacuation
Removal of personnel from a dangerous area, in particular, a HAZMAT incident, burning building, or other emergency. Also refers to act of removing firefighters from a structure in danger of collapsing.

Evolution
Uniform sequence of practiced steps by squad carrying out common tasks such as selection and placement of ladders, stowing hoses in hose bed, putting hoses and tools into service in particular patterns; intended to result in predictability during emergencies.

Exothermic reaction
Chemical reaction giving off heat in the process, such as combustion.

Exposure
Property near fire that may become involved by transfer of heat or burning material from main fire, typically by convection or radiation. May range from 40 feet to several miles, depending on size and type of fire or explosion.

Extended attack
Situation in which a fire cannot be controlled by initial attack resources within a reasonable period of time. Committing additional resources within 24 hours after commencing suppression action will usually control the fire.

Extension ladder
A 20-60 foot ladder with one or more movable sections that extend beyond a base section, typically using a halyard rope and pulley mechanism for lifting and locking cams to latch the moving sections at a selected height.

Extinguisher
Device containing fire suppressant, often pressurized to expel suppressant when triggered by operator or an automatic release mechanism. Important to properly select type of extinguisher appropriate to type of material burning (wood, grease, electrical, etc). May be portable or permanently installed for special suppression purposes, such as fires in aircraft engines, restaurant exhaust hoods, or computer rooms.

Extrication
Removal of a trapped victim such as a vehicle extrication, confined space rescue, or trench rescue; sometimes using hydraulic spreader, Jaws of Life, or other technical equipment.

Extrication gloves
Work gloves designed for vehicle extrication and other rescue applications, but not rated for firefighting. They resemble mechanics gloves but are made of tougher material, often Kevlar, and designed to protect against cuts from glass and metal.