Types of Fire Trucks

Fire departments around the country are responsible for putting out an average of 366,600 home structure fires each year, costing taxpayers $7.2 billion in property damage. This staggering number wouldn’t be possible without the heroic efforts of a highly trained and courageous group of men and women, and the modern fire trucks that help them do their job.

A fire truck, also called a firefighting apparatus or a fire engine (UK English), is any vehicle that is customized for use during firefighting operations. The vehicle is equipped with firefighting tools and equipment like ladders, pumps, hoses, and floodlights that are used to fight and rescue victims of a fire. These vehicles are usually equipped with a siren, flashing lights, and other safety features that allow them to be easily identified by drivers of other cars.

The fire trucks that are used by a particular department vary in size, type, and functionality depending on the needs of the local community. Fire trucks that serve urban populations are generally larger than those that service rural communities, and certain types of fire trucks are designed to carry specialized equipment.

Traditional fire trucks are typically painted red to make them easy to see. It is believed that the color was chosen because it stands out against other vehicles on the road, especially at night. However, recent studies have shown that other colors may be just as effective at helping fire trucks and other emergency vehicles to be seen.

One of the most common types of fire trucks is a pumper, or Type 1 fire truck. NFPA standards require this type of fire truck to be equipped with the required firefighting gear and have a water tank that can hold a minimum of 300 gallons. The truck is also equipped with a hydraulic system to deploy firefighting tools like ground ladders and hoses.

Type 1 fire trucks are often the first on the scene of a call, and their capabilities go far beyond structural firefighting to include initial emergency medical services. This is why the truck is equipped with a number of rescue tools like forcible entry devices and chainsaws, as well as full EMS gear, hazmat gear, and advanced life support equipment.

Another type of fire truck that is commonly seen in cities is a ladder truck, or aerial. These trucks are equipped with long ladders that can reach up to high buildings and enable firefighters to access the site of a fire from an elevated position. These trucks are also equipped with a deck gun, which is used to spray thousands of gallons of water per minute onto the fire.

Ladder trucks are often paired with water tenders, which are tanks that store large quantities of water and can be filled at hydrants for quick deployment at the site of a fire. The fire trucks have special fast-drain valves on the sides and back of the truck that allow firefighters to empty thousands of gallons from the tender in just seconds.