Mike's Guide to Fire Apparatus
Pumper
The pumper (or engine) carries a pump, a
few hundred feet of hose, a few hundred gallons of water, a couple
ladders, a bunch of tools, and, usually, emergency medical supplies.
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Durham, NC - mjl |

Minneapolis, MN - mjl |
Tanker
The tanker carries extra water, a couple thousand
gallons worth, to fire scenes that lack nearby water sources.
Tankers can unload their contents into a portable drop tank,
which the pumper draws from.
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Tractor-Drawn Tanker
Tractor-drawn tankers carry several thousand
gallons of water and are also used in areas that lack nearby water
sources, such as rural areas, Interstate highways, or airport
runways.
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Brush Truck
Brush trucks carry a small pump, a small amount
of hose, and a small water tank. Brush trucks are used for
fighting grass and woods fires and thus are outfitted for off-road
travel.
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Piney Grove, NC - mjl |
Mini-Pumper
Mini pumpers resemble brush trucks, but may carry
some structural firefighting equipment. Both brush trucks and mini
pumpers can be used for rapid emergency medical response.
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Aerial Ladder
The aerial ladder (or ladder truck or truck)
carries, as a minimum, ladders, ventilation tools, and salvage and
overhaul equipment. Some ladder trucks (sometimes called quints)
are also equipped with pumps and water tanks.
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Tractor-Drawn Aerial Ladder
Tractor-drawn aerial ladders (or tiller
ladders) have a seat and steering wheel in the back, to
improve maneuverability
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Los Angeles, CA
American LaFrance/LTI
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Aerial Tower
Aerial towers (also called aerial platforms,
platform ladders, tower trucks, or just trucks)
resemble aerial ladders, but have a platform (or bucket) at
the end of the ladder.
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Snorkel
Snorkels are aerial towers equipped with
articulating booms instead of extending ladders.
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174 foot! Bronto Skylift |
Telesquirt
Telesquirts (or squirts) are pumpers
equipped with elevating, extending nozzles.
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American LaFrance |
Photos marked "mjl" are by Mike Legeros. All
others unknown.
Last updated on 02NOV01
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Copyright 2021 by Michael J. Legeros
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