Jan. 06, 2025
Firefighters respond to a wide range of emergencies across every type of environment and the equipment they use must be able to meet the demands of each situation.
Serving a vast array of communities, including urban, rural and airport settings, firefighters use different types of fire apparatus&#;all with unique configurations and attributes to complete the scenarios faced each day.
This blog walks through several key differences between municipal and airport fire trucks.
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The most obvious difference between municipal fire apparatus and aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles are the types of emergency calls that they respond to.
Municipal fire trucks are the most recognizable emergency firefighting vehicles. The type of fire apparatus a department needs is determined by the mission of the truck and the community it serves each day.
The ability to arrive at an emergency or fire scene quickly is a critical attribute of a municipal fire truck. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires municipal fire trucks must be able to accelerate from 0 to 35 miles per hour in 25 seconds and reach a top speed of at least 50 miles per hour.
While both ARFF vehicles and municipal fire trucks are equipped with a variety of tools to help them respond to emergencies, ARFF vehicles have a specialized design and some unique attributes specific for use in an airport environment. ARFF vehicles respond to many types of calls, including airplane crash scenes, other airplane emergencies such as wheel or brake fires, medical or fire emergencies at the terminal, ground support for fuel spills, or off-airport response for events like car fires in the parking garage and foam for municipal calls.
ARFF crews are faced with harsh conditions and hazardous scenes, including exposure to toxic fumes and chemicals, explosion risks, debris and more. Adding to the complexity of these demands is the fact that most of the world&#;s airports have a vastly different footprint, yet responders are required to arrive at a scene, whether on or off road, in three minutes or less at any time of the day.
The NFPA sets a higher standard for acceleration for ARFF vehicles. This is due in part to the critical nature of reaching a scene before a fire gets to an aircraft&#;s tanks where extremely flammable jet fuel is stored. ARFF vehicles are required to have the capability to accelerate from 0 to 50 miles per hour in 25 seconds or less and reach a top speed of at least 70 miles per hour. Often, the ARFF vehicle&#;s response time is aided by the relatively short distances needed to travel in an enclosed airport environment.
Known as the most capable ARFF vehicle ever built and custom-engineered to deliver rapid response, Oshkosh Airport Products&#; Striker® 8x8 reaches 50 mph (80 kph) in less than 20 seconds with fewer emissions while exceeding NFPA, ICAO and EU standards.
Water is the most common and recognizable method of suppressing fires. Both municipal and airport fire trucks use water to fight fires, but the trucks are often equipped with vastly different amounts of water.
Fire departments strategically design fleet vehicles to match the needs of a community. As such, you may find some apparatus with ample water supply and some with none at all. It often depends on water infrastructure and fleet management.
Typically, municipal fire trucks have one of the following water tank sizes:
When fire hydrant infrastructure is established, fire trucks can carry less water or no water, leaving more room for personnel, tools and equipment. In rural departments where water infrastructure may be scarce, firefighters must transport and use water strategically, and fire trucks often have larger water tanks.
ARFF vehicles typically have limited access to water supply from fire hydrants, meaning water must be carried by the truck.
Oshkosh Airport ARFF trucks offer the following water tank sizes:
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies ARFF trucks by five categories&#;classes one through five. These classifications segregate vehicles by what types of fire suppression agent and how much of the agents are carried on a vehicle. ARFF trucks must carry all agents onboard with them since there is often little or no access to fire hydrant infrastructure, particularly in more remote areas of the airfield.
One of the most notable differences between a municipal and ARFF vehicle is the method of water delivery. ARFF vehicles are equipped with a high reach extendable turret (HRET), which has the ability to pierce an aircraft fuselage and spray water or a suppressing agent to knock down the fire. A HRET also allows firefighters to accurately and easily put water and secondary agent onto fires from high attack and low attack angles, effectively accessing difficult-to-reach aircraft areas.
The goal of every fire apparatus is to suppress fires and save lives. But, the type of fire suppression differs depending on the type of truck, the type of fire and the environment in which the fire suppression system is used.
Each fire department has established standard operating and response procedures for emergency calls. Strategic deployment of aid depends on the types of call, the requirements of the emergency, and the available response team, apparatus and equipment.
In addition to water, fire trucks can also feature firefighting foam systems designed to improve the fire-extinguishing capabilities of water, enhancing on-scene efficiencies and promoting water use reduction. Foam systems provide versatility and improved efficiency in the battle against dangerous fires.
Learn more about firefighting foam systems here: Fire-Fighting Foam: What It Is and Why Fire Departments Need It
In an ARFF emergency scenario, advanced fire suppression technologies and fire suppression agent conservation are critical.
There are three primary fire suppressants an ARFF truck can carry:
The highly flammable nature of aviation fuel requires an expedited response to ensure the safe evacuation of an airplane&#;s occupants. The different agents are selected based on the type of response required for each emergency.
View a full explanation of the Federal Aviation Administration&#;s ARFF vehicle classifications, water and firefighting agent requirements and vehicle examples here.
Compartmentation is a critical factor on any emergency response vehicle, but how it&#;s configured on an emergency response vehicle depends on many factors. One important commonality between the two types of trucks is the inclusion of storage solutions to help reduce fire personnel's exposure to carcinogens. The Carcinogen Awareness & Reduction to Exposure (CARE) initiative is a partnership between Pierce Manufacturing and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. Each fire department determines what the CARE initiative means to them and how they&#;d like to include some of the goals of CARE into their truck design and daily operations.
Balancing the function of the fire apparatus with the storage required is critical. Municipal departments must follow specific requirements to meet the needs of established standards and operating procedures while also considering the primary use of the apparatus.
Municipal fire trucks often carry a combination of tools and equipment, including:
Learn more in this helpful blog: Fire Truck Storage: Compartment and Storage Systems FAQ
Like municipal fire trucks, ARFF vehicle storage compartments can be customized to meet the airport requirements and standard operating procedures.
ARFF fire trucks typically carry the following equipment and gear:
Each department determines the vehicle&#;s mission and configures the compartmentation accordingly to ensure optimal support in the field.
Perhaps the most significant difference between municipal and ARFF fire trucks can be seen in the cab itself.
A municipal fire truck cab can have many functions, but in many communities, the cab is designed to carry firefighters to the scene.
Cabs can vary in size and configuration, but all municipal cabs for North America feature traditional left-hand seating. Depending on the chassis and design specification, Pierce&#;s custom cabs can seat as many as 10 firefighters.
In recent years, many municipal departments have focused on the CARE initiative and having easy-to-clean cab surfaces and seating options.
All Pierce custom apparatus are designed to offer exceptional handling and maneuverability, easy-access service points and a high level of performance. In the design and specification process, fire departments can also include several added features to the cab, including:
Compare chassis and cab features here or learn more about the clean cab initiative in this recent blog post.
In contrast to a municipal cab, ARFF cabs have a very unique look. A larger operator area with more glass area for increased visibility is required to be able to maneuver the truck through a scene with obstacles such as passengers, other firefighters and debris. Most ARFF vehicles feature a slanted body with a front bumper designed for moving through ditches and rough terrain.
ARFF vehicles are often larger than municipal fire trucks because ARFF vehicles do not need to navigate the confines of a city street. Moreover, ARFF trucks are built for off-road driving, with large, wide tires and a long travel suspension.
While ARFF trucks can carry up to five firefighters in the cab, most are set up to allow the vehicle to operate with only the driver. The operator's seat is often centered in the cab and the operator is able to engage all truck functions from this position.
Premium ARFF trucks include many of the following features:
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Learn more about the unique attributes of premium ARFF vehicles now While there are many similarities between municipal fire trucks and aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicles, we hope this blog sheds some insight on their differences and highlights what makes each type of truck truly unique.Do you have questions about either truck? Let us know in the comments or reach out to our team today.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard , Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, as well as the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing classifies vehicles by type and function. The standards mandate that every fire truck &#;type&#; is designed with specific components and features and must carry specific gear.
Why are the types of fire trucks important, you may wonder?
It ensures that regional terminology does not compromise prompt rescue support and resources. What may be called a &#;brush truck&#; in one community is a &#;wildland truck&#; in another. The creation of universal fire truck standards and terminology means that a fire department can request support for a specific engine type, knowing that it carries the required equipment for the emergency. As a result, fire departments can appropriately manage mutual aid and know exactly what kind of support they are getting for every emergency call.
Learn more about the types of fire trucks below and find out the distinguishing characteristics that make each truck unique.
A Type 1 fire truck, often referred to as an engine company, engine pumper or structural firefighting truck, is the most common type of fire engine in use today.
Type 1 fire trucks are purposefully designed to support urban, rural and suburban departments because they carry all of the required NFPA firefighting equipment. These versatile vehicles are often the first on the fire scene because they support both structural firefighting and initial Emergency Medical Service (EMS) response.
Every Type 1 truck is required to have a pump with a minimum tank size of 300 gallons, although most Type 1 trucks feature a 400- to 500-gallon water tank. Additionally, the truck must offer a minimum of Gallons Per Minute (GPM) of water transfer.
Following the standards of NFPA, Type 1 trucks are equipped at a minimum with a 2 ½ inch and 1 ½ inch thick hoses of varying lengths.
In addition, these types of fire trucks must include a full complement of ground ladders, nozzles, forcible entry equipment, rear access and egress, some level of first aid equipment and other unique items depending on the local jurisdiction. Some examples include self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), chainsaws, full EMS gear, hazmat equipment, advanced life support (ALS) equipment and additional structural or ballistic gear as needed. Typically, Type 1 fire trucks are designed to carry 3 to 4 firefighters.
A fire truck manufacturer can work with your fire department to design and configure a Type 1 engine to meet your community's unique needs.
Take a look at some recent deliveries of Type 1 fire trucks.
A Type 2 fire truck features many of the same specifications and tools of the Type 1 fire truck. Type 2 trucks are not as common in fire departments, but they are versatile trucks that are often found in urban and suburban applications performing vehicle accident and rescue response as a first response unit or heavy rescue engine.
Type 2 trucks may be ideal for a fire department looking for a more compact rescue engine, wet rescue or heavy-duty rescue featuring a smaller water tank and pump, but with storage capabilities that can still hold a lot of equipment. A Type 2 truck is an ideal fire truck to arrive on the fire scene first to start fire extinguishing tasks until more support arrives.
Much like a Type 1 engine, a Type 2 engine typically carries 3 or 4 firefighters. It includes a lot of basic firefighting gear and tools, like SCBAs, circular saws, as well as many different types of specialized equipment.
Take a look at various type 2 truck configurations now.
A Type 3 fire truck is often referred to as a wildland fire truck or a brush truck. Typically used in rural and wildland settings, a Type 3 fire truck includes several unique design and configuration details to match the terrain it services.
Wildland fire trucks commonly sit on a commercial 4x4 chassis and can be used as wildland urban interface vehicles. They are designed to be sleek and maneuverable with the ability to manage off-road and variable terrain. Type 3 fire trucks are often responding to wildfires and must be able to get as close to the fire as possible while maintaining both stability and vehicle control. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is often more than 26,000 lbs. and the vehicle must be equipped to carry at least 3 passengers.
NFPA standards require a Type 3 engine to have a minimum of a 500-gallon water tank and a pump capable of a minimum of 150 US gallons per minute at a pressure of 250 pounds per square inch.
Type 3 fire trucks can be equipped with a power-take-off (PTO) pump. A PTO pump is designed so that a vehicle can remain in motion while fighting fire simultaneously.
Many Type 3 fire engines also feature an auxiliary pump in addition to the main water pump configured on a truck. The auxiliary pump can be powered by a separate diesel engine that is connected to the pump, or a hydraulic auxiliary pump can be powered by an additional PTO hydraulic circuit with its own pressure governor. This pump-and-roll technique means that a truck operator can drive the truck while crew members man the pump and hoses walking beside the moving vehicle. This is critically important to allow firefighters to follow along as forest fires and brush fires move with the weather, and to create fire lines, wetting down areas ahead of an advancing wildfire.
Here&#;s a closer look at some of the features of a Type 3 fire trucks or view some of our recent deliveries.
Here&#;s a closer look at some of the features of a Type 3 truck or view some of our recent deliveries.
Type 4 Fire EngineA Type 4 fire truck is very similar to a Type 3 however with a larger water tank and reduced hose capacity requirements.
According to NFPA standards, Type 4 fire trucks must carry 2 people and feature a 750-gallon water tank that offers 50 US gallons per minute of water transfer at a pressure of 100 pounds per square inch. The larger water tank means that a Type 4 truck often has lower rated pump potential and includes less hose than a Type 3 fire truck.
Type 4 fire engines are often used in wildland firefighting, but with a 4-wheel drive chassis and a large water tank these vehicles can be used for emergency response.
Type 5, Type 6 and Type 7 fire trucks are often grouped together because they feature many of the same design qualities. These vehicles are typically pick-up truck-based with 4-wheel drive on a medium duty-chassis.
The main difference between Type 5, Type 6 and Type 7 fire trucks is the difference in their maximum GVWR.
Type 5, 6 and 7 fire trucks are used in various ways depending on a fire department&#;s needs. For example, some trucks are used as a fire response unit and include a small EMS response kit, while other vehicles are equipped with a water tank and water pump and can provide water suppression resources before larger rigs arrive on the fire scene. This configuration is common in wildland environments, where they are often referred to as mini pumpers or brush trucks. When equipped with water suppression capabilities Type 5, 6 and 7 trucks typically carry a 300-gallon water tank and a small booster pump with a minimum capacity of 50 gallons per minute.
Here is an overview of the NFPA truck standards:
Engine Typing Standard
Types 1 and 2 are structure; Types 3-7 are wildland
Requirements Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 Type 5 Type 6 Type 7 Tank Minimum Capacity (gal) 300 300 500 750 400 150 50 Pump Minimum Flow (gal/min) 1,000 500 150 50 50 50 10 At Rated Pressure (psi) 150 150 250 100 100 100 100 Hose: 2 1/2-inch 1,200 1,000 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Hose: 1 1/2-inch 500 500 1,000 300 300 300 N/A Hose: 1-inch N/A N/A 500 300 300 300 200 Ladders per NFPA Yes Yes N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Master Stream 500 gal/min. Yes N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Pump and Roll N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Maximum GVWR (lb) N/A N/A N/A N/A 26,000 19,500 14,000 Personnel (minimum) 4 3 3 2 2 2 2N/A = Not Applicable
NFPA = National Fire Protection Association
GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
Notes:
1. All types shall meet federal, state and agency requirements for motor vehicle safety standards, including all gross vehicle weight ratings when fully loaded.
2. Type 3 engines and tactical water tenders shall be equipped with a foam proportioner system.
3. All water tenders and engine types 3 through 6 shall be able to prime and pump water from a 10 foot lift.
The development of the types of fire trucks and requirements has been an invaluable addition to NFPA standards, providing fire departments with a universal language to help improve mutual aid and firefighting support.
While it may not be a formal &#;type&#; of a fire truck, the electric fire truck is making a name for itself in stations across the country.
Electric fire trucks are growing in demand as municipalities strive to meet environmental standards and to help reduce emissions, minimize fuel use and costs, and improve firefighters' safety with less exposure to carbon emissions.
Learn more about electric fire trucks now.
Regardless of the type of fire truck required, Pierce Manufacturing can help support the concept, design and configuration of a custom apparatus to meet your fire department&#;s unique needs.
Do you have questions about the types of fire trucks and how they are designed and manufactured? Let us know in the comments!
Take a look at other comparative blogs that may be of interest to you:
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