Many fire departments face a growing need to perform specialized rescues, but don't have the space to carry all the required equipment on their engine companies or light-rescue vehicles. At the same time, these departments usually don't have the budgets or the space for larger heavy-rescue units. For these departments, medium rescues often can do the job.

One example where a mid-sized rescue unit would be valuable would be trench rescues. To provide a safe environment for rescuers and victims alike, trench rescues require the use of heavy shoring lumber, large sheets of thick plywood and bulky reinforcing struts. This requires apparatus with larger bodies and specially designed compartments to hold the oversized materials.

Water rescues are another example where apparatus with extra body space are required. Wet suits and diving gear are bulky and must be carried in protected positions. Personnel also need a stand-up changing area. Boats or inflatable watercraft also need extra space and specialized carrying provisions.

Other specialized incidents that could use medium rescues might include extrications involving large vehicles or heavy equipment where inflatable lifting bags or large lifting struts must be brought to the scene. If the rescue also carried salvage tarps, generators with portable lights and other equipment, departments potentially could use them as service companies at structure fires to get extra Insurance Services Office rating points.

By definition, medium rescues are built on medium-duty truck chassis such as Ford, Freightliner, GMC, International and others. Not only does the use of a commercial chassis help reduce the vehicle cost, but it also provides a more readily available source of parts and service, especially in rural areas. In some cases, it might give customers the choice of certain options, such as 4×;4 drive, that might not be available on custom chassis.

Medium rescue bodies can be either the walk-around or walk-in style. Walk-around bodies maximize the available compartment space but don't have interior space to transport the crew or provide work areas. They are most commonly specified when departments need to carry a lot of equipment. Walk-in bodies trade compartment space for interior space. They work well for departments that run with large crews or perform specialized rescues where interior areas are required to don protective gear or coordinate rescue efforts. Some departments specify combination walk-around/walk-in bodies with a stand-up work area in one end and a compartmented equipment area in the other. Body lengths are typically in the range of 12 to 18 feet, with 14 to 16 feet being common. Body widths can be in the range of 96 to 102 inches. Departments with limited station dimensions need to be aware of the resulting overall vehicle length, width and height to avoid surprises on delivery day.

Equipment storage areas often include large, transverse compartments to carry oversized items, such as plywood or backboards. Roll-out and drop-down trays with load capacities up to 1,000 pounds or more are used to position heavy and bulky items where firefighters can retrieve them more easily. Slide-out panels with tool-mounting systems keep everything organized.

Common vehicle equipment includes generators and elevating light towers to provide electrical power and illumination. Portable lights will give added flexibility in situations such as over-the-side motor-vehicle accidents where the rescue apparatus cannot be positioned near the work scene. Low-intensity perimeter lights around the vehicle add a margin of safety for firefighters as they retrieve equipment and move about the apparatus.

NFPA 1901 warning-light requirements cover medium rescues, and departments need to keep that in mind when they specify the vehicle or add exterior components. Rescue units that regularly respond to accidents on roadways should be equipped with appropriate traffic control devices to help warn on-coming drivers and direct them away from the scene. Reflective chevron striping on the rear of the body is also an effective way to protect the apparatus and will be required in the next revision of the NFPA standard.

Electrical winches can provide helpful lifting and pulling forces to aid rescues. Some departments use portable high-capacity winches in conjunction with multiple built-in receiver points on the vehicle body and frame to apply the forces from different angles and heights. This is a feature the apparatus manufacturer needs to build into the vehicle to ensure the body and frame have sufficient strength. Don't try to add it later.

Other vehicle equipment found on medium rescues might include hydraulic tool power units, utility air compressors, breathing air cascades or spare air bottle storage. Pre-connected hose and cord reels speed operations and simplify storage. Adding drop-down awnings to one or both sides of the body protects the open compartments during wet weather and can provide rehabilitation areas for firefighters during extended operations.

Over the past few years, medium rescues have become increasingly popular, and many departments have found that they offer a lot of the advantages of larger units without many of the disadvantages. If your department needs a rescue that is not too large and not too small, picking one that is right in the middle might be your best choice.