Many fire departments already have one or more specialty vehicles on their apparatus roster. These vehicles commonly include rescues, hazmats, air/light units or command centers, and their uses are well-known. NFPA 1901 refers to them as special services fire apparatus that are designed to provide support services at emergency scenes.

As departments take on responsibilities for more and more emergency situations, new types of specialty vehicles emerged to handle different types of incidents. Here are the specs for a few of them and how they are used.

Utilities

These multifunction apparatus have the potential to become one of the most useful types of support vehicles on any department's roster. They usually have walk-around rescue-type bodies and are primarily designed to carry a wide range of tools and equipment. Many departments find that utilities are an inexpensive way to handle different types of emergencies without purchasing dedicated vehicles for each service. For example, utilities can carry hazmat supplies in one compartment to handle small fuel or chemical spills resulting from motor vehicle accidents. While on the accident scene, they can also provide traffic control with directional arrows, warning signs or reflective traffic cones.

At fires, utilities can carry ventilation, salvage and overhaul equipment in other compartments to gain ISO credit when a service company is needed. At medical emergencies, they can carry additional stretchers, dressings and other EMS gear. At night, they can use generators and lights to supplement the lighting provided by other apparatus. The functions assigned to these handy vehicles can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each department.

Rehab units

Most departments recognize the need for rehabilitation facilities to protect the health and safety of their personnel. Even short-term incidents can seriously affect crews when they are operating under ambient conditions of extreme heat, cold, rain and wind. Incidents involving exposure to smoke or hazardous materials compound the situation, and long-term incidents add the dimensions of fatigue and hunger.

To handle these problems, some departments employ mobile rehab units where personnel can rest, replenish liquids, adjust their body temperatures and deal with any medical problems. Some units use bus-type bodies, while others are built on light- or medium-duty truck chassis with walk-in or walk-around bodies. They may carry heaters, air conditioners, misting fans, chairs or benches, beverage coolers, protective awnings, and toilets. Some have eyewash stations or decontamination showers. A few have food-service facilities including freezers, sinks, microwave ovens, preparation counters and serving windows.

Foam units

Our economy has become increasingly dependent on petrochemicals, and with this comes the increased possibility of large-scale flammable liquid fires. Overturned and burning gasoline tankers on busy roadways, railroad tank car derailments, ruptured high-pressure pipelines and a host of other accidental or intentional incidents can require high-volume flows of foam that exceed the capabilities of most engines.

To meet this need, several departments now operate dedicated foam tenders that can provide sustained flows of foam at large-scale incidents. For example, the Los Angeles City Fire Department has four foam tenders equipped as mobile foam injection systems. Each tender carries 200 gallons of Class A foam with a 24gpm Class A foam pump and 1,000 gallons of Class B foam with a 350gpm Class B foam pump. Each tender is also equipped with a 400cfm CAF unit and 350 pounds of dry chemical extinguishing agent. Finished foam can be discharged through two monitors — one rated at 1,500gpm and the other at 2,000gpm — or through multiple discharges at the rear of the vehicle capable of flowing up to 2,000gpm.

Major medical emergency units

The supplies and equipment carried on engine companies, rescues, medic squads and ambulances are usually sufficient to handle most medical emergencies, but major medical emergencies and mass-casualty incidents require larger, better-equipped units. Several departments have prepared themselves to handle such emergencies, including FDNY, which currently operates three major emergency response vehicles and is requesting funding for a fourth. Their newest units are built on bus chassis to handle multiple patients and are staffed by EMS personnel. The units have wheelchair and stretcher lifts and are equipped with BLS and ALS equipment, including telemetry phone systems that connect on-board personnel with doctors at local hospitals.

Decontamination units

Large hazmat incidents or terrorist attacks may require mobile decontamination units to handle civilian victims and emergency responders alike. These units usually have areas for personnel to remove clothing, shower and don clean garments. They also may include examination areas and facilities for handling non-ambulatory patients. Equipment may include water storage and collection tanks, pumps, water heaters, and special tanks containing neutralizing agents. The Denver Fire Department currently operates a decontamination unit, and FDNY has three new units on order.

Mobile-ventilation units

When departments need to clear a lot of smoke, fumes or airborne particulates out of enclosed areas in a hurry, MVUs are the answer. These massive, truck-mounted, positive-pressure ventilation fans can literally blow up a storm to clear the interiors of parked aircraft, airport hangars, subways, tunnels, factories, warehouses and office buildings, as well as bus, train and airplane passenger terminals. The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport recently purchased one, as did the Chicago Fire Department. The units can be useful in handling incidents where smoke or fumes threaten lives and impede rescue and firefighting operations.

Explosive ordnance disposal units

This job usually falls to law enforcement agencies, but occasionally the fire department handles it. No matter who's responsible, they need specialized equipment and vehicles. Robots with remote sensors often are used to locate and identify potentially explosive devices. This equipment is carried in vehicles with rescue-style bodies that include built-in control stations. If explosive devices can't be destroyed in place, they are placed in specially reinforced containers for transportation to a safe location. The Olathe (Kan.) Fire Department operates an EOD unit that pulls an explosives transport trailer.

Wreckers and cranes

A few departments that regularly need to handle incidents involving heavy objects have purchased specialty vehicles with high-capacity cranes or lifting booms. For example, the Los Angeles City Fire Department operates a heavy wrecker equipped with a 40-ton extendible boom that can be rotated 360° to reach objects to the front and sides, as well as to the rear. The vehicle also has a generator, an electric air compressor and a variety of air-operated rescue tools. It's designated as a heavy rescue on the roster and can handle situations involving building collapses, overturned trucks and construction equipment, derailed railroad cars, and many others. A 40-ton underlift at the rear allows it to tow disabled vehicles when necessary.

Fuel tenders

Some departments operate fuel tenders to deliver diesel and gasoline to their fleet of vehicles rather than have each vehicle come to a central location or refuel at local filling stations. The advantages of this arrangement include the ability to control the quality and seasonal formulations of the fuels, as well as restrict the potential for refueling unauthorized vehicles. Fuel tenders also can be a big benefit during long-duration or widespread incidents where individual apparatus can't leave the scene or travel great distances to find fuel. St. Louis recently purchased a new fuel tender that carries 1,500 gallons of diesel and 1,000 gallons of gasoline in a split tank.

Hose tenders

The concept of a special vehicle dedicated to carrying a large amount of hose dates back to the days of two-piece engine companies when a hosewagon ran with an engine. That old idea is being revived as departments find a need to carry even larger hose for new applications. For example, the New Orleans Fire Department runs a hose tender to handle large flammable liquid fires. It carries 1,000 feet of 5-inch hose on a hose reel, plus 40 cans of AFFF concentrate. The unit also has a 20kw generator and light towers. Rural departments can use hose tenders to lay several thousand feet of large diameter hose for ISO water supply credit.

Ladder tenders

This type of specialty vehicle is popular in the Southwest, especially around Phoenix. Although the design has evolved over the years, the basic concept involves a vehicle that can provide service company, motor vehicle extrication, EMS, lighting and similar functions without wearing out a larger, more expensive ladder truck. In many respects, ladder tenders are like utilities or support squads, except they usually are operated by truck company personnel. For example, the Sun City West (Ariz.) Fire Department operates a ladder tender equipped with a 300gpm PTO-driven pump, 200-gallon water tank, 45 feet of ground ladders, a 20kw generator and an elevating light tower. It has a walk-around body with roll-up compartment doors to carry a variety of equipment.

Other tenders

As the name implies, a tender is a vehicle that is designed to “tend to the needs” or support the operations of another vehicle — fuel tenders bring extra fuel, hose tenders bring extra hose and water tenders (tankers) bring extra water. There are several other types of tenders used in the fire service, and each fills a special need. For example, departments with large wildland areas may operate bulldozers to clear firebreaks. In those cases, a dozer tender is assigned to provide fuel, lubricants and special tools needed to keep the equipment running. Departments with their own helicopters may run heli tenders to provide similar functions when operating at remote sites. Some departments run hazmat tenders or support squads to carry extra equipment or allow access to areas where larger hazmat units can't go.

Supply pumpers

These unique pumpers don't carry a lot of ground ladders, pike poles or other engine company equipment. And they don't fight fires. Their sole function is drafting water from lakes, rivers, ponds and other water sources to supply hose relays or tanker shuttles. They usually have short wheelbases to allow easy maneuverability at the drafting site and are equipped with lightweight, preconnected hard suction hose to let them go into operation quickly with a minimum crew. Some supply pumpers also carry and lay their own large-diameter supply hose, while others don't. With sufficient alternate water sources in an area, these units can help boost a department's ISO water supply rating.

Fire investigation squads

Fire investigation has become more sophisticated, and so have the tools and equipment required to conduct a thorough job. Some departments provide their investigators with special squads built on light-duty truck chassis to carry all their equipment. These units often are equipped with generators, cord reels and portable lighting to let the investigators work without tying up an engine or light unit to provide power.

Mask service units

Inspection, service and testing of SCBA is a specialized skill, and some departments give their technicians dedicated vehicles to carry the parts and equipment required for this important function. These units can also carry spare air cylinders and masks or provide on-scene repairs at major incidents.

Crew carriers

One of the problems during the wildland fires in Southern California a few years ago was transporting called-up personnel to the firelines to supplement the regular apparatus crews. Bus-type crew carriers are commonly used by state and federal wildland fire agencies, and a few city and county fire departments have adopted the idea as well. On a smaller scale, four- to six-passenger squad units can carry additional personnel to act as RIT or relief crews at fires.

Traffic control units

This type of vehicle isn't commonly used today, but there's a growing need for it. Studies indicate that fire department operations along roadways pose a significant danger to emergency personnel if traffic control is no adequate. Some of the recommendations that have come out of these studies include improved warning lights, signage, markers and placement of emergency vehicles. Dedicated traffic control vehicles and crews could be used to establish the required protective perimeter without tying up the primary responders. They also could be used set up medevac helicopter landing zones in cases where patients must be air-lifted to a hospital.

Shop trucks

These trucks can carry tools, parts and equipment to handle many apparatus inspections, maintenance and repairs at each station without having to drive (or tow) the apparatus into a central shop. Well-equipped shop trucks may have air compressors, small cranes and area lights. These trucks are most effective in departments where apparatus downtime needs to be minimized — either because the time between emergency calls is short or because the distance between stations and the shop is long.