DC Fire--"RA" Units

[dtscho]

What are the RA units in DCFD? I saw one (RA 611) at the National Cathedral on Tuesday during President Ford's funeral. On the radio, I believe it identified as Medic 54, so the RA 611 is not the radio designation.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[dtscho]

From the Scan-DC mailing list, I've learned that RA stands for Reserve Ambulance. Medics assigned unit numbers in the 50s are used for special events.

Dave

 

[ResQguy]

The 600 series of serial numbers is for ambulances. When a vehicle is taken out of front-line status, the original "unit number" is replaced with the serial number. That is why you see "engine 142", even though DC only has 33 sequentially numbered fire stations.