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Austin Fire Department Types of Apparatus

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ENGINE (a.k.a. "pumper")
A photo of an AFD engine. Definition: basic firefighting apparatus assigned to every station that responds to all types of rescues, fires and medical calls; carries a water supply and hose.
Primary roles: placement of hose lines to supply water for rescue, fire extinguishment, exposure protection, patient evaluation and stabilization on medical calls
Water carried: 500 gallons
Equipment carried: medical equipment (including automatic defibrillator), either a 1500- or 1250 gallon-per-minute fire pump, hose, five have a quick attack hydraulic rescue tool for vehicle accidents.
Amount of hose carried: 1000 feet of 5-inch hose, 800 feet of 3-inch hose, two 200-foot quick-attack firefighting hose lines, 250-foot of 2-inch hose, 200-foot booster reel hoseline.
Staffing: 3-4 firefighters (4 as of 1/1/02 for single-company stations)
Number in department: 38
Number of reserve units: 11

LADDER (a.k.a. "truck" or "aerial")
A photo of an AFD ladder truck Definition: an apparatus that is larger than an engine and mounted with an aerial ladder, but does not carry or pump water
Primary roles: forcible entry, search and rescue, assist with evacuation, ventilation of structure, placement of ladders, check for fire extension, salvage, overhaul, secure structure; also backs up engines on medical calls
Water carried: none
Equipment carried: aerial ladder that is 100-105 feet in length, a vehicle extrication rescue tool, and other rescue equipment, forcible entry tools
Amount of hose carried: 25-50 feet of hose to supply aerial waterway
Staffing: 3-4 firefighters
Number in department: 11 (2 have platforms at end of aerial ladder)
Number of reserve units: 4

RESCUE UNIT
A photo of an AFD rescue unit Definition: a vehicle that responds to all hazardous material calls, rescue alarms and structure fires where the crew is utilized for command staff support. Members have Hazmat Technician level certification.
Primary roles: to provide specialized rescue capabilities and hazardous materials mitigation, to fulfill planning and logistics functions at structure fires; light the fireground when appropriate, and cut off utilities at fires.
Water carried: none
Equipment carried: high-powered lighting, rescue tools, specialized hazmat monitoring and mitigation equipment
Staffing: 2 firefighters
Number in department: 3
Number of reserve units: 1

QUINT
A photo of an AFD quint Definition: something of a hybrid vehicle with capabilities of both an engine and a ladder. A quint is smaller than a ladder truck, which allows for better access in restricted space, but still carries water like an engine and has a 75-foot aerial ladder.
Primary role: dependant on conditions at time of arrival; may function as an engine company or ladder company; may conduct two operations simultaneously Water carried: 400 gallons
Equipment carried: 75-foot aerial ladder, 1500 gallon-per-minute fire pump, hose Amount of hose carried: 500 feet of 3-inch hose, 800 feet of 5-inch hose
Staffing: 6 firefighters
Number in department: 3

BRUSH TRUCK
A photo of an AFD brush truck Definition: four-wheel drive vehicle used to carry water into remote areas or rough terrain that engines cannot access
Primary role: to reach fires that are located off-road and difficult to access such as brush and grass fires
Water carried: eight of 10 carry 500 gallons; two carry 300 gallons
Equipment carried: wildland firefighting hand tools
Staffing: unstaffed; staffed by engine company personnel when needed
Amount of hose carried: varies by unit
Number in department: 10

TANKER
A photo of an AFD tanker truck Definition: a vehicle that carries a large supply of water used when there is inadequate City water supply, especially in remote areas
Primary role: to provide an additional water supply Water carried: 2,000 gallons
Equipment carried: some carry a portable pump; others have portable tank. Number in department: 3
Staffing: unstaffed; staffed by engine company personnel when needed

SMOKEBUSTER
A photo of an AFD smokebuster Definition: a specially designed truck with a high volume smoke removal system and positive pressure ventilation fan mounted on the back used to clear smoke and heat during a fire. This is not staffed on a regular basis, but responds at request of incident commander. Also can be used to cool personnel in Rehab in hot weather.
Number in department: 1

SQUAD (have not yet been placed in service)
A photo of a squad. Definition: a vehicle with most of the same capabilities as a traditional engine/pumper that is smaller in size and easier to maneuver; responds to all types of medical calls, rescues and fires.
Primary roles: patient evaluation and stabilization on medical calls, response to all types of emergencies
Water carried: 300 gallons
Equipment carried: medical equipment (including automatic defibrillator), a 500 gallon-per-minute fire pump, hose.
Amount of hose carried: 800 feet of 3-inch hose.
Staffing: 2 firefighters
Number in department: 4


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