• 12/20/15 | 20:45 | ALL HANDS WORKING | CATASAUQUA | 119 PINE ST | 1 L/S/O FOR FIRE ON THE TOP FLOOR OF 3-STY S/F/D | STATION 11 (GREENAWALDS) F.A.S.T.

Glossary

The following is a list of abbreviations and terms used in our news articles and Facebook fan page.  It will help make your reading more enjoyable.

AFA-Automatic Fire Alarm

Box – Box Number - used in cities, these were the box alarms located on street corners

BN – Battalion Chief - the chief in charge of a group of firefighters

Collyers Mansion Conditions -A dwelling of hoarders that is filled with trash and debris

D/W/H – Doubtful Will Hold - The chief is doubtful he can hold the fire with units on hand

E/O/R – End of Row - a house at the end of a row of houses

F.A.S.T. -Firefighter Assist and Search Team aka R.I.T. Rapid Intervention Team

L/S/O – Lines Stretched and Operating - number of handlines in-service

M/O/R – Middle of Row - a house in the middle of a row of houses

MVA – Motor Vehicle Accident - car accident

O/M/D – Occupied Multiple Dwelling - Apartment building

P/W/H – Probable Will Hold - The chief can probably control the fire with units assigned

S/F/D – Single Family Dwelling - a dwelling not attached to a row

Taxpayer – A building housing multiple commercial tenants - a one-story strip mall



Here is a List of Whitehall Unit Numbers,  Conversion Chart from Radio Numbers to Actual Unit Numbers Described on this Website:

LC Station 36 = Station 1 (Fullerton)

  • 3611 = Squad 1: 2007 Spartan / Central States 1250 gpm
  • 3612 = Engine 11: 1990 Mack CF / Ward 79 1250 gpm
  • 3631 = Truck 6: 1994 Spartan / Baker 95’ Aerial Scope
  • 3641 = Rescue 8: 2003 Spartan / Central States Rescue
  • 3602 = 1A assistant fire chief
  • LC Station 37 = Station 2 (West Catasauqua)

  • 3711 = Engine 12: 1988 Hahn 1250gpm
  • 3712 = Engine 2: 1997 Spartan / Marion 1250gpm
  • 3702 = 2A assistant fire chief
  • LC Station 38 = Station 3 (Hokendauqua)

  • 3811 = Engine 13: 1991 KME 1250gpm
  • 3831 = Squirt 3: 2009 Spartan / KME 55’ squirt , 1500gpm
  • 3802 = 3A assistant fire chief
  • LC Station 39 = Station 4 (Egypt)

  • 3911 = Engine 4: 1999 Spartan / KME 1500gpm
  • 3912 = Engine 14: 1979 American LaFrance 1000gpm
  • 3902 = 4A assistant fire chief
  • LC Station 40 = Station 5 (Cementon)

  • 4041 = Engine 5: 2001 KME pumper/rescue 1500gpm
  • 4002 = 5A assistant fire chief
  • Station 35 = Chief Officers of Department

  • 3501 = Car 16 (Chief of Department)
  • 3502 = Car 18 (Deputy Chief of Fire Division) Disbanded March 2012
  • 3503 = Car 17 ( Deputy Chief of Rescue Division)
  • History of these old numbers:  Whitehall used the single digit apparatus numbers when they were dispatched by Whitehall.  When they switched to Lehigh County Radio in the early 1990’s, the request to keep the old numbering system fell on deaf ears. 

    Some apparatus still wear the old numbers.  As a former member of this department, and having a strong belief in keeping with tradition, this website will still honor the old numbering system.  The tradition of the Whitehall Fire Department shall not be forgotten!