Types of Fire Trucks

Fire trucks carry firefighters and their equipment to the scene of an emergency. They spray water, deploy ladders and use other tools to fight the fire and provide medical assistance to anyone who needs help. Depending on the type of emergency, they may also deliver supplies like oxygen tanks and rescue tools to the scene.

When most people think of a fire truck, they picture a vehicle with a long ladder that allows firefighters to access high areas of buildings for firefighting and rescue purposes. However, there are many different types of fire trucks that serve a variety of purposes, from fighting large structural fires to extinguishing brush fires in remote areas.

Most fire departments have a fleet of fire trucks that serve their communities, but the type of firetruck they own depends on their local needs and resources. The National Fire Protection Association and the Northwest Coordination Group have established standard classifications for these vehicles that ensure that all departments have the right equipment available for every situation. These classifications, or firefighting apparatus ‘types,’ have specific minimum requirements that dictate what type of gear each truck must carry.

The most common fire trucks are the Type 1 fire engines, which are typically reserved for urban and suburban departments. They are the largest of the firetrucks and must meet specific requirements for tank size, pump flow, hose capacity and a maximum GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) when fully loaded.

Firefighting foam systems are another important feature that some fire trucks include. These can enhance the fire-extinguishing capabilities of water, increase on-scene efficiencies and reduce overall firefighting water usage.

All FDNY fire trucks are equipped with emergency medical response capability. They are staffed by EMTs and Paramedics that are ready to administer life-saving treatments at the scene of an accident or emergency until a medical unit can arrive.

There are 197 engine companies, or firetruck squads, in the FDNY. Each of these has its own distinctive vehicle, which includes a truck body, a firefighting pump, a water tank and a number of firefighting tools and equipment. The exact configuration of what is carried on each firetruck squad is up to the department, but in general, they must have a minimum of basic medical equipment and equipment for treating smoke inhalation and other respiratory issues, ground extension ladders and an array of firefighting tools.

A Type 3 fire truck, which is often used in rural and wildland settings, is based on commercial 4×4 pickup trucks. They are designed to be sleek and maneuverable with the ability to manage off-road and variable terrain conditions. Type 3 fire trucks must meet a minimum GVWR of 26,000 lbs when fully loaded and are configured to support structural and wildland firefighting missions.

Ladder trucks are specialized firetrucks that are most familiar to people. They look a lot like the classic police car with an aerial ladder mounted on top. Ladder trucks can be combined with an engine to create a quintuple, which looks like a traditional firetruck but is more versatile because it has the aerial ladder capabilities of a ladder truck and the firefighting abilities of an engine.