Types of Fire Trucks

Firefighters deal with a lot of things on a daily basis, from fighting raging wildfires to saving lives in car accidents. In their line of work, they require specialized equipment to keep them safe. That’s why so many fire trucks are outfitted with large storage compartments that allow firefighters to have the tools they need.

Each type of fire truck serves a different purpose to ensure that firefighters can effectively handle the emergency at hand. Some fire trucks are designed to help with structural firefighting, while others are equipped for water delivery and tackling natural disasters. Fire departments across the country have developed universal standards and terminology to make it easier for other firefighting agencies to support them when they need assistance with a fire or rescue.

Pumper fire trucks, also known as engines, are the most common type of fire apparatus. They’re built to support urban, rural and suburban fire departments and can handle a variety of different tasks. They’re usually the first on the scene and can provide both structural firefighting equipment and initial EMS response. Pumper fire trucks have water tanks with a capacity of 1000 to 3000 gallons and can pump from nearby hydrants for a larger and more continuous water supply.

Aerial ladder trucks are a more specialized fire truck that allows firefighters to access difficult-to-reach areas for firefighting and rescue operations. They can reach heights of up to 100 feet and often feature a hydraulic system that helps them extend their ladders with ease. Firefighters can use the aerial ladders to access the roofs of multi-story buildings or other hard-to-reach locations. Aerial ladder trucks don’t typically have large water tanks, but they can hook up to a fire engine and pump for water.

Wildland fire trucks, or brush trucks, are specifically designed to meet the needs of firefighting crews that are responding to wildfires. These fire trucks are able to drive in off-road terrain and can carry firefighting equipment like chainsaws, fire suppression tools and even a foam system.

These vehicles are able to drive in rough terrain and can use the technique called “pump-and-roll,” where the fire truck drives with its pump engaged while a firefighter uses a hose to spray water on the fire. They’re also built with a rugged body and can often handle high-speed water flows.

Command fire trucks are the brains behind a fire department, providing a central location to track incident information and communicate with other firefighters. They can be equipped with a wide array of communications and command tools, including mobile mapping systems and situational awareness tools. They’re often built with extra features, such as special seats that allow firefighters to wear their SCBA on the way to a call and store them in the vehicle when not in use.

The CORE22 fire truck, available on the 1871 and Spectr II chassis from industry leader HME Ahrens-Fox, is a mini pumper that combines high performance with maximum storage capabilities. It offers water flow of up to 1500 gallons per minute, multiple crosslay options and plenty of compartment space to fit the needs of a variety of services.