All About Firetrucks

Fire trucks are some of the most popular vehiclesout of the way and help the truck navigate at
in the country. Kids of all ages love the look ofnight or in smoke filled areas. The two-way radio
fire trucks and the roar of their sirens. Comeis connected to the firehouse and sometimes
Christmas time, Santa Claus usually rides aroundeven the dispatch base.
on a fire truck through everyone's developmentEven though they are not fire trucks; there are
handing out candy canes. Fire trucks have beenfire vehicles used on the water. They can be
around for hundreds of years and have goneoperated by the Coast Guard and local fire
through massive technological upgrades and designstations to aid in fires on boats and barges as well
upgrades through the years. Fire trucks are usedas spraying water onto a fire on a dock or other
to transport fire fighters and equipment to thebuilding close to water.
scene of a fire, a traffic accident or a any otherThe early fire trucks were just a water pumping
form of accident or tragedy.apparatus on wheels that were brought to the
Fire trucks come in all different shapes, sizes andfire location by a horse. Some of the first
even colors. Most fire trucks are known for theirextendable ladder trucks were used in the early
bright red color but some counties employ the1930's because many rescue workers found it
use of yellow and even green fire trucks. Mosthard to reach extremely tall buildings. The first
yellow fire trucks can be seen operating at ancouple of extendable ladders reached up to 150
airport or aiding in putting out a forest fire. Therefeet and now they reach even further.
are different models of fire trucks. They can be aMost times when there is a fire that cannot be
normal truck, a ladder truck, a hook and ladderbrought under control and the firefighters run out
truck and a rescue truck. Some of the trucksof water from their pumping trucks or from the
even store water in them. Fire trucks havehydrants the trucks have the capability to pump
hundreds of feet of hose on them as well aswater from local lakes and streams. The trucks
ladders and different types of tools for operatinghook up hoses to a boat in the water which
a fire hydrant and for breaking down doors andpumps the water into the truck and out the other
walls in a burning building.end of the hose onto the fire.
All fire trucks come equipped with seating for atFire trucks are key to keeping the world safe
least five firefighters, a two-way radio, sirens andfrom fire devastation. Their quick response and
emergency lights. The sirens are load and blaringspecial equipment help to put out fires in buildings,
so drivers can hear the truck coming down thehomes, planes, cars, forests and in brush along
street. The lights are also used to move trafficthe highway.