|
Jack |
A portable device used to lift heavy objects with force applied with a
lever, screw, or hydraulic press. Heavy jacks and portable jacks used in
rescue. See ground jacks. |
|
Jackhammer
|
A handheld
pneumatic machine for drilling through and breaking concrete or rock.
|
|
Jackknife |
Condition of
truck tractor-semi trailer combination when their relative positions to
each other form an angle of 90 degrees or less about the trailer
kingpin. |
|
Jake |
A term often
used in the New England states to refer to a good firefighter. One story
has the term originating from the corruption of the phrase, "J-key."
Years ago, the bed was the most expensive piece of furniture in a
dwelling. Since firefighters weren't as good at stopping fire as they
are today, they would attempt to remove as many belongings as possible.
The bed was too large to carry out in one piece and had to be
disassembled using a bed key. The key was shaped like the letter J and
called a J-key. |
|
Jake Brake |
Many modern fire apparatus have a auxiliary braking system to assist the
main air brakes to stop or slow a vehicle. Many commercial over the road
trucks also have them. The exhaust system is used to help slow the
engine down. |
|
Jamb |
The side and
head lining of a doorway, window, or other opening. Includes studs as
well as the frame and trim. |
|
Jaundice |
A syndrome
characterized by the deposition of bile pigment in the skin and mucous
membranes, with resulting yellow appearance of the person.
|
|
Jaws |
A generic term applied to a type
of rescue tool that can cut, push or pull material (most often pieces of an
automobile). Jaws of Life is a synonym, but is the copyrighted product name
of Hurst. Holmatro and Amkus are also major manufacturers of jaws. |
|
Jaws of Life
|
A trademark for a pneumatic tool consisting
of a pincer like metal device that is inserted into the body of a severely
damaged vehicle and energized to provide access to a person trapped inside. |
|
Jet |
A stream of water coming from a
nozzle (English). |
|
Jet A |
Aviation fuel commonly referred to as a "type
of high grade kerosene" and used primarily in civilian air operations. Fuel
used in jet engines and turbine style power plants. |
|
Jet pump |
A water-operated pump that
creates a suction by using the venturi principle. |
|
Jet siphon |
Section of pipe or hard suction hose with a 1
1/2 inch (38 mm) discharge line inside that bolsters the flow of water
through the tube. The jet siphon is used between portable tanks to maintain
a maximum amount of water in the tank from which the pumper is drafting. |
|
Jib |
A form of lever used in combination with a
block and tackle for the purpose of lifting or lowering. |
|
Joint (Anatomy) |
A point at which two separate bones are
joined together by ligaments |
|
Joint Field Office (JFO)
|
The JFO is a temporary Federal facility established locally to
coordinate operational Federal assistance activities to the affected
jurisdiction (s) during Incidents of National Significance. The JFO is a
multi-agency center that provides a central point of coordination for
Federal, State, local, tribal, nongovernmental, and private-sector
organizations with primary responsibility for threat response and incident
support and coordination. The JFO enables the effective and efficient
coordination of Federal incident-related prevention, preparedness, response,
and recovery actions. The JFO replaces the Disaster Field Office (DFO) and
accommodates all entities (or their designated representatives) essential to
incident management, information-sharing, and the delivery of disaster
assistance and other support. |
|
Joint Information Center
(JIC) |
A facility established to
coordinate all incident-related public information activities. It is the
central point of contact for all news media at the scene of the incident.
Public information officials from all participating agencies should
collocate at the JIC. |
|
Joint Information System
(JIS) |
Integrates incident information and public affairs into a cohesive
organization designed to provide consistent, coordinated, timely information
during crisis or incident operations. The mission of the JIS is to provide a
structure and system for developing and delivering coordinated interagency
messages; developing, recommending, and executing public information plans
and strategies on behalf of the Incident Commander; advising the Incident
Commander concerning public affairs issues that could affect a response
effort; and controlling rumors and inaccurate information that could
undermine public confidence in the emergency response effort. |
|
Joist
|
A supporting member used in building
construction to support a floor or ceiling. Wooden 2 X 8's, 10's, or 12's
that run parallel to one another and support a floor or ceiling, and
supported in turn by larger beams, girders, or bearing walls. |
|
Joist hanger |
A metal "U" shaped item used to support the
end of a floor joist and attached with hardened nails to another bearing
joist or beam. |
|
Joule [J] |
International System unit of energy, equal to
the work done when a current of 1 ampere is passed through a resistance of 1
ohm for I second. |
|
Journal |
The log book, day book, or record book in which all activities of a fire
shift are recorded. |
|
JP-4 |
Aviation
fuel blending hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline and kerosene to gain
specific characteristics acute to both fuels. Due to the additional
hazards associated with this fuel, it is used primarily in military
operations. |
|
Click here to return to top of this page |
|
Jugular vein |
Any of the
large veins in the neck. |
|
Jump Line |
A jump line is a handling stored in an extended bumper (also called a
jump bumper) and preconnected to the engine to allow for a quicker
attack. |
|
Jump seat |
Seats on a
fire apparatus that are behind the front seats. |
|
Junction box |
An enclosed panel used to connect or branch
electric circuits without doing permanent splices. |
|
Jurisdiction |
A range or sphere of authority.
Public agencies have jurisdiction at an incident related to their legal
responsibilities and authority. Jurisdictional authority at an incident can
be political or geographical (e.g., city, county, tribal, State, or Federal
boundary lines) or functional (e.g., law enforcement, public health). |
|
Jurisdictional Agency |
The agency having jurisdiction and responsibility for a specific
geographical area, or a mandated function. |
