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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 9, 2005 Since You Asked Six-alarm fire pulls out all the stops I have always wondered what it means when a structure fire is a "two-alarm fire" or a "three-alarm fire." I'm assuming it refers to the size of the fire, but what factors are used in determining if a particular fire gets a two- or three- or four-alarm rating? Thanks. — Trenton, Medford A fire’s size is indeed one factor that dictates the number of alarms. But the blaze’s complexity and the jobs that need to be done play more of a role than the public realizes, said Dan Petersen, Medford Fire Department battalion chief. "You could have a waste-basket fire on the third floor ... that’s a four-alarm," Petersen said. Advertisement Within the city limits, a first alarm brings four engines plus a battalion chief to the scene. Most routine house fires are considered one alarm, Petersen said. But that level of response leaves just one engine company to cover the rest of the city. Each additional alarm calls in two more engines. The second brings the remaining Medford engine and one from the next- closest fire agency. A third alarm has exhausted Medford’s resources and requires "mutual aid," usually from Jackson County Fire District Nos. 3 and 5 and Phoenix Fire Department. Medford calls out as many as six alarms, which would most likely require every fire engine in the county, Petersen said. After six, a task force from Josephine County is ordered. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541- 776-4376; or by e-mail to Since You Asked ">[email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s