Types of Fire Trucks

If you’re a firefighter, you probably know that the right equipment is crucial to your job. Fire trucks combine a water tank, pump, space for personnel and all the tools needed to battle a fire. They also have emergency lights and sirens to warn people of their presence. The rigs are equipped with computer equipment like dispatch and two-way radios to ensure constant communication between the captain and the crew.

Many of these vehicles are painted red. Some claim that this color helps the vehicles stand out in low or bright light. Others say that red was chosen because it stood out best on the road at a time when most cars were black and therefore didn’t stand out at all.

Each type of fire truck serves a different purpose. In general, these vehicles are designed to transport firefighters to and from the scene of an incident. They’re also equipped with a wide range of tools to help on the ground, including ladders that can be extended from the vehicle and firefighting hoses. The trucks also have special storage spaces to keep all the equipment they need at hand.

The most common type of fire truck is the engine. These vehicles typically have large water tanks and pumps with a capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute or more. They also have a variety of tools that can be used to assist in extinguishing a fire, such as forcible entry tools, nozzles and lights. The cabs of these vehicles are divided into sections, with the front section containing the captain and driver and the back section for all the other firefighters who need to be on-scene. The vehicles are fitted with special seats that allow the crew to don their breathing apparatus (SCBA) before they head to the site of an incident.

Another type of fire truck is the water tender, which is a specialist vehicle that’s designed to transport large amounts of water to the scene of an incident. This is particularly useful in rural areas where fire hydrants may not be available and natural water resources are difficult or impossible to exploit. Water tenders are often fitted with fast-drain valves that allow them to empty thousands of gallons of water in just seconds.

Fire departments also use other types of fire trucks to tackle specific issues, such as hazardous materials incidents or forest fires. These vehicles may be referred to as specialty trucks, forcible entry tools or brush fire engines. The NFPA standard 1902 classifies vehicles by their function and design, ensuring that every firetruck has universally recognized components, requirements and features.

As you can see, there are seven distinct types of fire trucks to serve the many different needs of firefighters and the public. These vehicles are designed to get personnel and equipment to a scene quickly and efficiently, so that they can start working on the fire right away. They’re also fitted with audible warnings to alert people of their presence and give drivers enough time to adjust their speed. These sounds vary from a traditional mechanical bell to an electronic siren, with some featuring multiple settings. For example, a “wail” setting is usually used for clear roads, while a yelp sound may be employed during traffic jams.