By: The Emergent Team
When we see fire departments racing down the street in response to a call, it's easy to lump all their vehicles together simply as "fire trucks." They often seem interchangeable with just a few cosmetic differences to separate them. In reality, there are many different types of fire trucks, each designed to serve specific purposes...and we love to geek out about those differences. Each brings a unique level of data to the mix. For departments of any shape and size, knowing their fleet is operating smoothly or having a clear understanding of what needs to be done to keep them up and running is of benefit to the fire department and the community it serves.
So, what exactly sets these various fire apparatus apart? Let's jump into the details and examine eight different types of fire trucks and their functions in a department.
1. Pumper Fire Truck (Engine)
- Purpose: Pumper fire trucks, also known as engines, are the most common type of fire apparatus. They are primarily designed to provide water to extinguish structure fires. They hold a tank of water for the initial attack, and they can also pump water from nearby hydrants for a larger and more continuous water supply.
- Tank Capacity: Typically, pumper trucks have a water tank capacity ranging from 1000 to 3000 gallons.
- Pump Capacity: These trucks must be able to pump at least 750 gallons of water per minute (gpm), but typically have a max capacity closer to 2000 gpm.
- Additional Features: Pumper trucks also carry basic firefighting tools, ladders, and emergency medical equipment, making them more versatile.
2. Aerial Ladder Truck
- Purpose: Aerial ladder trucks are specialized for reaching high and hard-to-reach places, such as multi-story buildings. They provide an elevated platform for firefighting and rescue operations.
- Tank Capacity: These trucks typically do not carry large water tanks because their primary function is not water delivery. That said, most can hook up to a pumper and fight fire from above using the aerial ladder.
- Ladder Height: The ladders on these trucks can extend from 50 to over 100 feet, providing substantial reach.
- Pump Capacity: Some aerial ladders may have a pump, but it is uncommon, and would generally be less powerful than a pumper truck.
- Additional Features: They come equipped with a variety of ladders, rescue tools, and sometimes a pre-piped waterway for elevated water delivery.
3. Heavy Rescue Vehicle
- Purpose: Heavy rescue vehicles are designed for technical rescue operations, including vehicle extrication, building collapse, and other specialized rescues.
- Tools and Equipment: They carry an extensive array of tools such as hydraulic rescue tools (Jaws of Life), cutting torches, ropes, and specialized equipment for confined spaces and high-angle rescues.
- Additional Features: Heavy rescue vehicles often have advanced communication and control equipment for coordinating complex rescue operations.
4. Wildland Fire Engine
- Purpose: Wildland fire engines are specially designed for combating wildfires. They are built to handle rough terrain and can access remote areas.
- Tank Capacity: These engines have smaller water tanks, typically around 500 gallons, due to the need for mobility.
- Pump Capacity: They have pumps capable of delivering water at high pressures, suitable for wildland firefighting.
- Additional Features: Wildland engines are equipped with off-road capabilities, foam systems, and tools specifically for wildfire suppression.
5. Quint Fire Truck
- Purpose: Quint fire trucks are versatile apparatuses that combine the features of a pumper and an aerial ladder truck. They provide both firefighting and rescue capabilities. The name “quint”, short for quintuple combination pumper, is derived from the fact that they are designed to provide 5 distinct tools. Namely: a pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial ladder, and ground ladders.
- Tank Capacity: Typically, they have water tanks with a capacity similar to pumper trucks, around 500 to 1,500 gallons.
- Ladder Height: They have aerial ladders, generally ranging from 50 to 75 feet.
- Pump Capacity: Quints have powerful pumps, often delivering up to 2,000 gallons per minute.
- Additional Features: These trucks carry a mix of hoses, ladders, and rescue equipment, making them highly versatile for various emergency scenarios.
6. Tiller Truck
- Purpose: Tiller trucks, or tractor-drawn aerials, feature a unique design with a separate, steerable rear trailer section, making them highly maneuverable in tight urban environments, despite their size.
- Tank Capacity: Like other aerial trucks, they usually do not carry water tanks.
- Ladder Height: These trucks are equipped with long ladders, typically extending from 75 to over 100 feet.
- Pump Capacity: Some tiller trucks may have pumps, but their primary function is to provide elevated rescue and firefighting capabilities.
- Additional Features: The separate trailer section allows for greater flexibility in positioning and accessing challenging areas.
7. Brush Truck
- Purpose: Brush trucks are small, agile vehicles designed for wildland firefighting and off-road terrain.
- Tank Capacity: They have smaller water tanks, usually around 200 to 500 gallons.
- Pump Capacity: These trucks have pumps suitable for wildland firefighting, often delivering water at high pressures.
- Additional Features: Brush trucks are equipped with off-road capabilities, hand tools, and sometimes foam systems for effective wildfire suppression.
8. Command Vehicle
- Purpose: Command vehicles are used by fire officers to manage and coordinate emergency response operations. They serve as mobile command centers.
- Tools and Equipment: They are equipped with communication systems, computers, and mapping tools to assist in incident command.
- Additional Features: Command vehicles often have advanced technology for real-time information sharing and decision-making during emergencies.
Understanding the different types of fire trucks and their specific purposes is crucial for anyone involved in or interested in the fire service. Each type of apparatus plays a vital role in ensuring effective and efficient emergency response, tailored to the unique demands of various firefighting and rescue scenarios.
At Emergent, we love to dive into the telemetry potential across fire apparatus of all types and their related equipment, uncovering new ways to integrate with modern firefighting strategies and keep up with the evolving face of technology in the fire service. For more information behind the opportunity of fleet telematics in your department, reach out to our team today.
