What role does the second arriving engine typically serve in high-rise operations?

In high-rise operations, the second arriving engine plays a crucial role in establishing a reliable water supply to the standpipe and sprinkler system. This is important because high-rise buildings often have complex plumbing systems, and in the event of a fire, it is imperative to ensure there is sufficient water pressure and flow to combat the flames effectively.

By connecting to the standpipe, the second engine ensures that firefighters have access to water at the necessary elevations, enabling them to effectively fight the fire from upper floors. This function is critical to the overall strategy, as water supply is the backbone of fire suppression in any operation, but especially in high-rise scenarios where the vertical distance can create significant challenges.

While building access, fire attack, and rescue operations are all integral parts of high-rise firefighting, the specific charge of providing water supply is distinctively assigned to the second arriving engine to ensure that the primary team's efforts can focus on extinguishing the fire and managing rescues without the distraction of ensuring adequate water delivery.