Question:
Whenever the news reports of a bigger than normal building fire it is described as a two alarm, a three alarm and a whopper is a four alarm fire. I haven't come across a larger one above four alarm yet. What do these numerical fire alarm ratings refer to?

Answer: back in 1967 when i was a fireman. it was like this: for a small fire or first alarm the called it a box( a box was two engines(pumpers), a ladder truck, a chiefs car... i think thats all... they had a cabinet(a drawer) and pastboard cards in it about 12 inches wide by 5 inches high.. on each card was listed the numbers of the chief car, the engine numbers, the truck(ladder) numbers, etc. and if a rescue squad or not and a snorkle unit or not..... it was like this: striking box( and then the number) this small amount of people would go out.. when getting there if it was a working fire they would call out "strike a TWO ELEVEN" then if more help was needed they would say(probably the chief at this time)-"strike a 3 eleven" and so on... and i think you are right the highest it was marked up was 4 eleven... bet now with some chemical plant fires they probably need more units to fight the fire and they just ask for more assistance..... but remember that when these units were called out.. that they also have to shift other fire engines and trucks to other areas to cover for their being called out and leaving the area where they are from unprotected...