Peachtree City, Georgia, Walmart fire: What is a 3-alarm response?

A fire broke out inside a Walmart in Peachtree City sparking a 3- alarm response by firefighters. According to the reports, firefighters responded around 7:30 p.m at 2717 Georgia Highway 54. The fire at the Walmart broke out on Wednesday evening.

The witnesses at the Walmart told the authorities that dense, black-coloured smoke could be seen rising from the complex. The full extent of the damage was not immediately known. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 

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What is a 3-alarm response?

A 3- alarm fire call brings up triple the amount of firefighters, trucks, and equipment to the scene of the fire. Any fire alarm dispatch that goes beyond 2 is considered a very big fire. All fire alarms after a 2 fire alarm are considered multiple alarm fires and are taken more seriously by the firefighters. 

For a 3 alarm fire, the department may also send out a media relations crew to deal with journalists, and even a truck stocked with snacks and electrolyte drinks to keep the firefighters sustained. 

 A 3-alarm fire may be a larger, more complicated incident, or it just may be a fire that takes longer to put out. The number of alarms generally indicates how many fighters and emergency vehicles are dispatched.

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The call is made based on the factors such as size of the structure and size of the fire. It is also based on whether it is threatening adjacent buildings and the number of people that may be trapped inside. 

There are mainly 3 different types of fires including Class A, which includes the solid material such as wood, paper, fabric and some plastics. Class B includes liquids, or gas such as alcohol, ether, gasoline or grease. Class C included electrical failure from appliances, electronic equipments and wiring.