We live in a changing world, and the role of the fire service is changing with it. Modern departments are expected to provide a wider range of fire, rescue and emergency medical services than ever before. In turn, this has required new training, new equipment and new apparatus.

Today's apparatus reflect these changing roles with new designs and options that can handle a wide range of jobs — and include configurations that may not have been practical when last you drew up a list of specifications. A periodic evaluation of how well your apparatus inventory enables the services your department must provide and supports the contingencies for which you're expected to be prepared, coupled with a review of apparatus types, may identify opportunities for improved efficiency or capability. Such an evaluation begins with an overview of the many types of apparatus that are available.

Aerial ladder. The traditional aerial ladder is still the fastest and least expensive way of providing access to and from elevated portions of buildings. Care must be given to match ladder load ratings to the expected service to avoid accidental overloads with potentially tragic consequences. It's important also to do the math and calculate the ladder length necessary to span expected horizontal and vertical offsets between buildings and the points of closest access on the ground.

Aerial platform. Truck company operations that must be prepared to rescue multiple victims or lift several firefighters and their equipment often are best handled by an aerial platform. A platform generally will have a higher load rating and more standing room than a ladder. It also generally will cost more and weigh more. Articulating boom platforms can reach up and over obstacles to reach portions of buildings that aren't accessible to other aerials.

Aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle. If your department protects a major airport, you already know about ARFF vehicles. If you protect a smaller airport that is rapidly expanding, you're about to learn a lot about ARFF. Airports usually start with a 4×4 twin-agent unit and grow from there. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Fire Protection Association both have standards governing ARFF design and performance.

Attack tanker (tender). This apparatus looks like a pumper/tanker but doesn't carry all the hose, ladders and equipment. Some departments use it for the initial attack on structure fires until they can set up a tanker shuttle or hose relay. Other departments use it for sustained attacks on wildland fires. An attack tanker is an effective way to flow a lot of water with a limited number of personnel.

Bioterrorism response unit. It's sad to say that biological weapons exist, and the possibility of terrorists making use of them is real. A bioterrorism response unit carries specialized detectors, protective suits and other gear to deal with the release of deadly agents like anthrax. A few major cities and other potential targets already have these units. They're sometimes paired with decontamination units.

Breathing-air unit. A special unit with its own breathing-air compressor or high-pressure cascade system is an effective way to support personnel at large incidents. Departments that used to call for an air unit only at large fires now also dispatch one to hazmat incidents, tunnel rescues and potential bioterrorism attacks. Specs need to include requirements for sustained operation under local temperature and humidity conditions.

Canteen. Many departments rely on citizen groups to staff food-service vehicles. Others realize that there are incidents where they don't want outside personnel present, such as large-scale wildland fires or rescue operations in remote or dangerous locations. A department-operated food service vehicle also can be used as part of natural-disaster responses to support emergency service personnel and provide comfort to citizens.

Command and communications center. Command requires extensive communications, which is why these two functions are usually merged into a single apparatus. It can range in size from an SUV with a couple of radios in the back to a massive walk-in unit with multiple workstations, a conference room and a full complement of computers and communications gear.

Decontamination unit. Some incidents can contaminate victims and rescuers with chemical, biological or other harmful substances. Before these people can be treated, the contaminants need to be removed. A decontamination unit usually contains one or more showers, a water system with heater, and a means of containing wastewater. Some are designed to handle patients on stretchers.

Dozer transporter and tender. Departments with large wildland-urban interface zones have found that bulldozers can be a valuable addition to engine company teams when protecting groups of structures. Several western departments now have their own dozers, dozer transporters and dozer tenders. In the off-season, these units are used to clear firebreaks and maintain access roadways.

Explosive ordnance disposal truck. Explosive ordnance disposal is a job that usually falls to the law enforcement types in town, but some fire departments have bomb squads with sophisticated equipment and apparatus. EOD trucks facilitate transportation and operation of EOD equipment, such as remote-controlled robots with cameras and sensors that are often used to make the first, and most dangerous, examinations of suspicious objects.

Fire investigation unit. Modern fire investigators don't drive sedans, they drive trucks outfitted with the combination of hand tools and specialized equipment necessary to find, retrieve and protect evidence of a fire's origin. The generator and portable lights that such trucks can carry come into play when fire investigation operations go into the night. Some departments use light-duty trucks with covered beds and roll-out trays.

Foam pumper and tender. The need for a foam pumper can go beyond the fence of an oil refinery or chemical plant. Departments where large volumes of flammable liquids pass through the area in trucks, railcars or pipelines often have specially equipped foam pumpers. Others have foam supply tenders or trailers to augment the foam systems on their regular pumpers.

Fuel tanker. Having your own fuel tanker can be really handy when a department has to deal with long-term incidents or those located in remote areas. It also can help keep apparatus in service during the aftermath of natural disasters when the power is out and normal sources of fuel are depleted by civilian demands.

Hazmat unit. Hazardous materials are everywhere, and there's always the possibility that some of it will end up on the ground or in the air as the result of an accident. Departments that in the past would never have thought of owning a hazmat unit now have them, and those that can't afford their own have banded together to buy one for an entire region. Some equipment takes a lot of room, so hazmat units are often big.

Incident support unit. This new type of apparatus is designed to carry a wide variety of auxiliary equipment to support firefighting and rescue operations. For example, it might carry salvage and ventilation gear to act as a service truck at structure fires and also carry traffic-control devices to protect the scene at motor-vehicle accidents. In other cases, it might carry hazmat, rescue and lighting equipment for departments that don't have vehicles dedicated to these functions.

Initial attack pumper. The quick attack or mini pumper is sometimes used as the first-out unit where most of the calls are for nuisance fires, minor rescues and emergency medical services. Departments still need to run the appropriate number of full-size engines and ladders on the first alarm for structure fires, however, to get Insurance Services Office credit.

Interface pumper. Pumpers operating in the wildland-urban interface zone need to handle all the routine, day-to-day calls and still be able to protect structures when a massive wildfire hits. It's a tough assignment that has produced a unique type of apparatus with the firefighting capabilities of a full structure pumper and the maneuverability of a brush truck. Big pumps, big tanks and Class A foam are the rule. (See “Beyond Brush Trucks”.)

Ladder tender. It's part service company and part rescue. Some departments use this type of apparatus for situations that don't require a full aerial. Others run them along with their aerials to carry more equipment.

Light unit. Departments that don't have generators on their apparatus often find that a light unit is a valuable addition to their roster. Having a single vehicle to provide electrical power and lighting also frees up other units to move about freely without disrupting activities at an incident scene. A combination air/light unit also is a popular configuration.

Mass-casualty incident unit. It doesn't take a terrorist attack to produce a lot of casualties. Train wrecks, multiple-vehicle accidents, earthquakes, and many other natural and man-made disasters can overwhelm emergency providers with injured people. An MCI unit carries a large quantity of backboards, dressings, splints and other medical supplies to treat patients on the scene. Larger units may carry protective shelters, generators and lights.

Mechanics truck. When a big, expensive piece of apparatus breaks down, it needs to be fixed right away. The mechanics truck is like a rescue squad for fire apparatus. Many departments regularly keep one or more mechanic trucks in the field and allow their emergency vehicle technicians to perform preventive maintenance as well as handle breakdowns.

Medic squad. Departments in areas regularly handling a large number of EMS calls sometimes find it more efficient to respond with a medic squad rather than tie up their engine companies. The squad carries medical gear, backboards and some light rescue equipment. If an ambulance responds at the same time, the combined crews can handle most medical and minor rescue incidents.

Mobile ventilation unit. Large structures may require the high volume of air flow this unit can provide to clear smoke and hazardous vapors from escape routes and interior spaces. Departments also can make use this type of unit for incidents in high-rise buildings, tunnels, airport terminals, sports arenas, convention halls and other places. Adding a misting device lets it be used for mass decontamination.

Pumper/tanker. Rural departments that want full ISO credit for an engine company but also need a large volume of water to sustain operations often will specify a pumper/tanker. This is a big piece of apparatus, however, and it may require a special driver's license and training — being the first to arrive at the station doesn't necessarily qualify you to drive one.

Pumper with an aerial. Think of this unit as a quint without the ground ladders. Volunteer departments where a mid-day/mid-week call draws only a handful of responders often use this configuration to get an elevated master stream into operation quickly. Aerial devices range from ladders to articulating boom water towers.

Quint. Departments that need an apparatus to function as a pumper or an aerial have found that a quint gives them the flexibility to handle a variety of situations. Preplanning, cross-training and an adequate number of personnel are some of the keys to making this a good choice. Departments should be aware that the NFPA minimum requirements for a quint are less than what is needed for full ISO credit as an aerial.

Rehab unit. Prolonged exertion under extreme weather conditions can endanger the health of even the best-conditioned firefighters. Some departments provide vehicles and equipment to help cool, warm, dry or rehydrate personnel at major incidents. They range from vans to city buses and are sometimes paired with a canteen or food service vehicle.

Rescue. A rescue unit is sometimes called a toolbox on wheels, and that's a good description. Its main function is to carry tools, equipment and other gear to handle a wide variety of rescue operations. Plenty of compartment space and easy access are key points. Specialized rescue situations, such as swiftwater rescue and urban search and rescue, may require different apparatus configurations. (See “Big Rescues, Big Jobs”.)

Rescue pumper. Departments that choose to respond to rescue incidents with their engine companies may specify rescue pumpers. These apparatus combine all the regular features of a structure pumper with the additional space needed to carry rescue gear. Full-height compartments on both sides are a common configuration. Hydraulic pump units driven off a transmission PTO or an on-board generator often power portable rescue tools through hydraulic hose reels.

Structure pumper. This is the most common apparatus in any department, but don't let that fool you. It can come in all shapes and sizes depending on the types of structures protected, the width of the streets and the terrain of the area. The recent trend has been toward big pumps, Class A foam and powered ladder racks. Top-mount pump panels provide excellent visibility of the fire scene and keep the operator safely out of traffic. All-wheel drive aids responses when snow, sand or mud is a factor.

Supply pumper. Having a dedicated pumper to draft water from open sources can be a real plus for rural departments. Configuring that pumper with a big hose bed to carry large-diameter supply hose makes it even better. Add lightweight hard suctions to make fill site operations fast and easy. Departments should know that in most cases ISO will not credit this unit as an engine company; although a supply pumper can potentially improve ISO water supply credit.

Supply tanker or tender. It may not be fancy, but a supply tanker can be worth its weight in water to departments serving areas where hydrants are few and far between. The most effective designs have good-sized tanks on two-axle chassis to minimize costs and maximize both maneuverability and water shuttle rates. Large dump valves to the rear and sides maximize dump rates. Automatic dump, extension and vent controls in the cab keep the operator safely off the ground.

Swiftwater rescue. Water rescues usually involve transporting watercraft, and that differentiates this type of apparatus from other rescue vehicles. Swiftwater rescues present special challenges because of the water forces involved. Some departments now use a combination of inflatable, rigid and personal watercraft, depending on the situation.

Traffic control vehicle. Operating on a busy roadway is as dangerous as making an interior fire attack — sometimes more dangerous. A few departments use a dedicated traffic control vehicle to warn oncoming motorists and direct the flow of traffic away from the incident scene. The apparatus may have illuminated warning devices and carry traffic cones, portable signs and other safety gear.

Twin-agent unit. Departments with airports that handle commercial passenger flights may need aircraft rescue and firefighting apparatus. If they do, the twin-agent unit is the first rig they buy. This small 4×4 apparatus carries a foam/water solution plus a dry chemical extinguishing agent. It often does double duty for flammable liquid fires on highways or at industrial plants.

Urban search and rescue. This specialized rescue unit carries equipment to locate, extricate and care for victims of earthquakes, hurricanes and other disasters that result in widespread building collapses. USAR apparatus usually operate in areas where facilities are limited, so they're designed to provide their own power, lighting, shelter, medical supplies and other necessities. (See “USAR Rigs Go Local”.)

Utility. A flatbed or stakeside utility truck can do more than distribute toilet paper to the stations. It can transport extra containers of foam, bring replacements for damaged equipment or carry bulky items that aren't normally carried on other apparatus. Properly equipped, it can even tow special function trailers such as fire prevention displays, mass-casualty incident units, or water rescue boats.

Wildland pumper. Call it a brush pumper, patrol or grass rig — a wildland pumper is designed to go where others can't. The best designs include good ground clearance and a low center of gravity. The pump should match the fuel load, and the water tank should be big enough to let the apparatus stay on scene for an extended period of time. The use of 4×4 drive depends on the soil and terrain.

Get the best value
If your department is faced with a growing number of responsibilities, you may want to consider adding one of these apparatus to your roster. Determining which will give you the best value for your money depends on three factors.

1. Consider how you plan to use a new apparatus and decide whether it's really needed or just nice to have. Can you meet the need with your existing apparatus by shifting equipment or changing assignments? Can you meet the need by replacing an exiting apparatus with one that combines several functions? For example, if you need a rescue but also know that you will have to replace a pumper in a few years, perhaps this would be a good time to purchase a rescue pumper that combines both functions.

2. Consider your available staffing. Apparatus don't drive themselves, and it doesn't make any sense to buy an additional unit if you don't have the staff to drive it. This is another situation where multi-function apparatus can be of value. For example, if you need a ladder truck for structure fires but don't have enough personnel to get one rolling at the same time as your engine companies, consider purchasing a quint or a pumper with an aerial device to meet both needs and give you credit on your ISO rating.

3. Consider the cost and the return on your investment. Big and expensive apparatus can be better if you need them, but smaller and less-expensive rigs can be good too. Consider what you're getting for your money — or, more specifically, what you're getting for your taxpayers' money. Look beyond the purchase price and consider such factors as useful life, expected maintenance and required testing. Also, consider the effect on your department's ISO rating and any potential reduction in fire insurance premiums.

As any professional knows, some tools are more valuable than others, and having the right tools is essential to doing a good job. Apparatus are simply larger tools. The right tools for firefighters and rescue personnel are just as valuable as the right tools are for mechanics and plumbers or doctors and engineers.