Fire Engines Photos

I see from their website, Miami-Dade FR run Aerials AND Ladder Trucks. Can anyone tell me the difference? They also have a lot of these types of appliance operating alone at stations and no Engine. So do these Aerial and Ladder Trucks have firefighting capabilities, and if so, can they be classed as Quints?

Cracking looking piece though. I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to a fire truck's colour; give me red every time. But this, this looks pretty awesome.

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 05 January 2010.

I am not completely sure but, I think aerials are quints which is basically an engine with a ladder and they operate as engines to the department.

Added by Jessie on 29 January 2010.

Good question, Y.B.; it may be in the matter of Ground Ladders....

The Quint, or Quintuple, label goes back to the old horse-drawn wagon apparatus days of the late 1800's; when the Fire Dept responded with these indididual Apparatus':

1. Pump - 'The Steamer' - had Hard Suction Hose only.
2. Hose Wagon, or Hose Reel - for stretching from Pump to fire.
3. Water Tank & Hose Reel - 'The Chemical Wagon' basically a big soda-acid extinguisher on wheels, it could start an immediate jet of water on arrival, while the other equipment was setting up.
4. Ladder Wagon - 'Hook & Ladder' - full complement of Ground Ladders, Pike Poles (Hooks), etc - a long vehicle.
5. Aerial Ladder, or Water Tower - some were raised by big springs.

As the 'Horseless Carriage', er, Internal Combustion Engine; and technology developed: it became possible to combine several functions on one vehicle.

Triple Combination - today's Pumper or Engine - has 1., 2., and, 3. namely Pump, Hose, Booster Tank and Booster Reel(Hose Reel), almost invariably carries ladders, pike-poles, etc, but not the full complement of the Ladder Wagon.

Quadruple Combination or Quad - as above, with full complement of Ground Ladders, as well = 1.,2.,3., and 4.

Quintuple Combination, or 'Quint' - obviously all five... believe, at least 85 feet[= 30 metres; & depending on which Standard] Ground Ladders and Rescue Gear as well.

So, a true Quint would be an Engine, combined with a Ladder Truck (Ground Ladders) and an Aerial Truck.....

Naturally, these terms can't cover the other obvious combinations eg putting a Pump and Hose on an Aerial to supply its Ladder Pipe, etc

So, I think Miami Dade F R "Ladders" may be just 'Quads'; and "Aerials" don't carry the full complement of Ground Ladders.

Hope this helps.

And, if anyone more familiar with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, would correct the above; I would be eternally grateful.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 31 January 2010.

Oooops; in above 85 feet equals 26 metres, repeat 26 metres, my boob.

In motorized apparatus; another early(and obvious) combination was fitting all the 4. Gound Ladders into the long chassis of the 5. Aerial (TTL) Truck....

Miami-Dade is quite the Fire Brigade - with 60-some Stations - everything under the sun, including Helicopters(yes, plural), FireBoats, Water Rescue, Airport Crash Trucks(ARFF), even a Poisonous Venom establishment.... worth seeing here at:

www.miamidade.gov/mdfr/home.asp


Regards,
Pat_R-B




Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 02 February 2010.

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