When fires threaten the wildland-urban interface, residents want the fire department to save their homes, not their trees. Those same residents also want the department to respond to all the day-to-day EMS, motor-vehicle accident and rescue calls in the area, as well as have apparatus that meet the iso rating criteria to keep their fire insurance premiums low.

As a result, many interface pumpers now look more like compact structure engines than big brush trucks. They have big pumps, a full complement of equipment and plenty of compartment space — all packaged on a vehicle with a short wheelbase, high ground clearance, and good angles of approach and departure.

Here are some of the features found on this latest generation of grown-up interface pumpers:

Chassis

Most interface pumpers have short wheelbases and good front wheel cuts to maneuver on narrow roads and through tight turns. Their bodies are designed with ample ground clearance and high angles of approach and departure to negotiate sharp grade changes. The use of 4×4 drive is optional based on local road and weather conditions.

Cab

The most effective use of pumpers at large-scale interface fires requires a crew of at least four. Forward-facing seats are a plus when responding over long distances as part of a mutual aid strike team. Air conditioning is mandatory for firefighter rehab. Optional heat-resistant curtains inside the cab can be deployed across the windows to protect personnel if the apparatus is caught in a burnover.

Pump

Main pumps with flow ratings of at least 1,000gpm provide plenty of water for structure protection from hydrants. Some interface pumpers use PTO-driven pumps or have auxiliary engine-driven pumps to give them pump-and-roll capability. Multistage pumps can provide high pressures for long booster lines, and rear-mount pump panels keep the operator out of traffic on narrow roads. In areas where open water sources are available, some pumpers carry portable pumps to refill their tanks.

Tank

Water tanks with capacities of at least 500 gallons allow interface pumpers to operate in areas where there are no hydrants or where the fire situation requires a quick attack without laying a supply line. Tanks up to 750 gallons can provide longer times between refills, but they also increase the vehicle weight. Using L-shaped tanks can help keep the center of gravity low.

Foam

Almost all interface pumpers are equipped with Class A foam, and many have compressed-air foam systems. For direct attack, regular nozzle-aspirated foam penetrates fuels and is more effective than plain water in suppression and mop-up. Compressed-air foam or gel additives can be especially valuable for structure protection because crews can use them to coat buildings and then withdraw to a safer location before the firefront arrives.

Hose

Interface pumpers usually have a variety of preconnected attack lines for different situations. A short 2½-inch line with a high-flow nozzle lets a single firefighter attack structure fires directly or protect exposures. Several 1½-inch handlines of various lengths let firefighters reach all sides of a structure or attack a fire in nearby vegetation. Metal hosebed covers prevent embers from burning holes in the hose and also act to secure hastily repacked hose loads.

Monitors

Remote-controlled, preplumbed monitors can be used to lay a protective water curtain on threatened structures or make a rolling attack on vegetation fires. They're especially valuable for rapid attack or when only a few firefighters are available to deploy and repack handlines. Smooth-bore nozzles work well for the application of compressed-air foam.

Ladders

Ground ladders are helpful in fighting structure fires, and interface pumpers usually carry a full engine company complement of extension, roof and attic, or folding ladders. Ladder lengths should match the building requirements of the area. Drop-down racks keep the ladders out of the way yet allow easy access from the ground.

Lighting

Perimeter lights are essential for crew safety and are usually mounted to illuminate the areas to the front, rear and sides of a vehicle. All perimeter lights should be controlled from a single switch in the cab. Red lenses on lights in the cab interior can help preserve night vision.

Support

Most interface fires are multi-day events and often require crews to be self-sufficient for the first 24 to 48 hours. Some pumpers now incorporate space to carry food, drinking water, sleeping gear and personal items for the crew. Items carried in the cab need to be secured adequately. Larger fuel tanks can extend operations, but they also can restrict ground clearance.

GPS

Although global positioning systems are just beginning to appear on apparatus, they can be valuable during interface fires. Not only can they let incident commanders know how to best deploy apparatus, but GPS also can be used to warn engine crews of dangerous fire conditions developing near their locations. On a more practical level, GPS can help crews locate specific addresses or find the nearest sources of water or fuel.

Predicted swings in global climate patterns over the coming decade mean that many areas of the country are going to see higher temperatures and lower precipitation. At the same time, populated areas everywhere keep pushing further into the wilderness. The threat of fire in the wildland-urban interface is very real — in many cases, it's in your own backyard.