Types of Fire Trucks

Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect property and life in emergencies like fires. They use tools like the fire truck you see in this photo. Fire departments around the world have a number of different types of fire trucks to fit their specific community’s needs.

The type of fire truck a department chooses depends on a number of factors, including the fire-related hazards in the area and the equipment they have on hand to tackle those hazards. For example, a fire truck used in an urban area may need to have additional tools to help with vehicular accidents and technical rescues. A fire department in a rural area might need a truck that can deal with brush fires, as well.

Most fire trucks are based on pickup truck chassis, but they vary in size and features to suit their department’s unique needs. The National Fire Protection Association creates standards to classify fire trucks by type and function. The most common type of fire truck you see on the road is a Type 1 fire engine, which is designed to fight fires in buildings, such as homes and businesses.

This type of fire truck typically has a ladder that extends between 75 and 100 feet to allow firefighters to access multistory buildings. It also has a hose that can be used to spray water or chemicals. The vehicle also has a deck gun mounted on top of the truck, which can spray up to 1,000 gallons per minute. Firefighters ride on the truck with gripped steps, and they can access the ladder or hose from the sides of the truck or from inside the cab.

In addition to the standard fire fighting gear, most fire trucks are equipped with audible warnings that can alert people to their presence before they are even visible. These sirens are usually electronic and can be programmed to produce a variety of sounds. For example, in clear traffic, the fire truck may use a “wail” setting that emits a long up and down tone with an unbroken, constant sound. In heavy, slow traffic, the fire truck might switch to a “yelp” setting that produces a short, high-pitched noise.

Many fire departments also choose to equip their vehicles with hazmat gear and advanced life support (ALS) equipment so they can respond to non-fire related medical emergencies as well. All fire trucks are required to have at least an EMT or paramedic onboard, and some fire departments will add more crew members for large mass casualty incidents.

All fire departments need to transport their firefighters and equipment to the scene of an emergency. This means the vehicle they use must be safe, spacious and comfortable enough for their crew to work in. Some fire trucks are able to carry as many as five firefighters in the cab, while others are configured with seating for fewer firefighters.