Types of Fire Trucks

When firefighters head to an emergency scene, they don’t just need to transport themselves to the site; they also need to bring equipment with them. A fire truck is a large vehicle that is customized for the job, and may include pumps and water tanks, ladders, rescue tools, and other equipment. Many are based on commercial vehicles, but have been upgraded and equipped for the specific demands of firefighting. Emergency lights and sirens are also included to alert people in the area that emergency personnel are coming. Two-way radios and mobile computer technology keep the captain and crew in constant communication on the way to the scene. Special seats that are designed to hold the crew’s SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) are another common feature of these trucks.

Engine trucks are a common type of fire truck, and can be used to respond to a variety of emergencies. They can also carry firefighting equipment, such as self-contained breathing apparatuses, fire hoses, floodlights, the jaws of life and other hydraulic rescue tools. They can also be equipped with thermal imaging cameras to help the crew get in and out of burning buildings quickly.

Ladder trucks are a specialty type of fire truck that is appropriate when a situation requires them to go up in the air. These trucks feature hydraulic ladder systems that can be positioned at various heights. They are controlled from a console mounted in the front of the truck or from the bucket of the ladder system itself. Ladder trucks can be equipped with ground ladders of varying lengths, as well as search and rescue equipment, forcible entry tools, and ventilation equipment.

A combination fire truck is one that features both a ladder and an engine. These trucks can be useful in tackling both small and large building incidents. They are often referred to as quints or quads and can have ladder systems that extend to different heights, depending on the circumstances. Ladders can be either straight or articulating, and they can also be made with telescoping sections that provide continuous egress.

Fire departments can also use these specialized trucks to access hard-to-reach areas of a structure, such as the roof or ceiling. These vehicles can also be used to perform rescues at these elevated heights.

Command vehicles are a special type of fire truck that can be used for incident command, meaning the fire department’s leadership will manage the scene from a control room inside the vehicle. These trucks are usually equipped with communications systems, and may have computers and mapping tools to help in making the right decisions during an emergency.

Finally, a water tender is a vehicle that is designed to send water so that the firefighters can combat a fire. It can be hooked up to a fire hydrant or even a nearby body of water, such as a river or lake. It often includes a fixed deluge gun, which allows the firefighters to blast water in a targeted direction without having to uncurl their hoses.