Description

A fire fighting and rescue truck combines firefighting capabilities with specialised rescue equipment, differing from a standard fire engine which is primarily for extinguishing fires. These specialised vehicles often lack on-board water pumps but are equipped to handle technical rescues with tools like the “jaws of life,” generators, and other heavy rescue gear. They can also be customised for other functions like hazmat response or aerial rescue.

Fire fighting and rescue truck types

• Rescue vehicles: These trucks are designed to carry equipment for technical rescues, such as the “jaws of life,” cutting torches, and generators.
• Fire engines: Traditional fire engines are equipped with hoses, a water tank, and a pump to extinguish fires. This is sometimes called a “Triple Combination Engine”.
• Aerial appliances: These are fire trucks with a ladder, like a ladder truck or aerial platform, used for high-level rescue or firefighting.
• Specialised trucks: Some trucks are built for specific purposes, such as foam supply, compressed air supply, or earthquake rescue.