CFD Terminology

Basic CFD Terminology

The CFD uses many of the same words and phrases that are used by fire departments in other parts of the country. In Chicago, however, those words and phrases sometimes have their own unique meanings.

"Strike it Out." - The phrase "strike it out" or "strike out the box" applies only to fire incidents at the Box Alarm level or above. In the context of a Box Alarm, the phrase "strike out the box" represents an order direct­ing all companies that are either responding or in the staging area to return to quarters. In the context of a Still & Box alarm or above, the phrase "strike it out" signals, at the very least, that the incident commander will not be requesting any additional fire companies. Thus, the strike out signal does not necessarily mean that the fire is completely out.

"Hold the companies." - In Chicago, this phrase is used in the context of a Still Alarm or other non-box alarm response to cancel the response of any companies not already on the scene.

"We've got a fire"/"We've got a hit". - This phrase is the rough equivalent of New York's 10-75. If the dispatcher has not already done so, he or she will, upon hearing this phrase: (1) start a full Still Alarm assignment, includ­ing a squad company (subject to the distance limitations applicable to squad company responses) and command van, to the address; and (2) provide the battalion chief with a run down of the responding companies.

"Smoke Showing." - In the City of Chicago, this is generally not a signal for a working fire. If a company officer reports "smoke showing," he or she is simply revealing the existence smoke, and is not indicating one way or another whether there is a working fire. The phrase "smoke showing" does not, standing alone, justify the response of a squad company and command van (unless these units are already responding). Also, the dispatcher will not give the battalion chief a rundown of responding companies simply because a company reports smoke showing.

"Pot of Meat." - Used to describe any type of kitchen fire which can, or has been put out with a hand pump.

"We've got a prairie." - We don't have brush fires here in the Windy City – they're called prairie fires.

"Buggy" /"Hold up the buggy"/ "Hold all companies but keep the buggy coming." - Refers to the Battalion Chiefs.

Building Descriptions

Aside from a few local exceptions that are discussed below, Chicago uses "standard" fire department terminology to describe building construction.

Two Flat"/"Three Flat". - In general, two flats and three flats are 2 or 3 story buildings of ordinary construction measuring approximately 25'x75'. Each building has one apartment per floor, meaning that a two flat has a total of two apartments and a three flat has a total of three apartments. In certain cases, a two flat or three flat may be a 2½ or 3½ story building that was converted from a single family dwelling to a multiple family occupancy through the removal of the interior stairways. These buildings sometimes have wood frame rear porches which have their own stair systems that offer access to the upper floor apartments.

"Four Flat"/"Six Flat". - In general, four flats and six flats are 2 or 3 story buildings of ordinary construction measuring approximately 25'x75'. Each building has two apartments per floor, meaning that a four flat has a total of four apartments and a six flat has a total of six apartments. Just like two flats and three flats, a four flat or six flat may be a 2½ or 3½ story building that was converted from a single family dwelling to a multiple family occupancy through the removal of the interior stairways. Again, these buildings sometimes have wood frame rear porches that have their own stair systems.

"Four Plus One"/"Five Plus One". - A "four plus one" or a "five plus one" is a four story or five story residential building that rests on con­crete pillars that raise the entire building above the ground by approximately 10 feet. The area under­neath the building is typically used for parking by the building's residents. The CFD does not consider this sub-building parking space to constitute the "first floor" of the building, because the space is not enclosed by walls. Thus, the phrase "four plus one" simply de­scribes a four story building that has some added height ("plus one") due to the fact that the building is elevated above the ground by about one story.

"Chicago Bungalow". - A Chicago Bungalow is a 1½ story brick building that is approximately 25 feet wide by approximately 40-60 feet long. Many Chi­cago Bungalows boast either a large bay win­dow, a front porch, or both. In addition, some Chicago Bungalows have shallow basements that raise the first floor of the house approximately 7 feet.