The Material Truck was a uniquely Belgian idea, tracing its origins back to the days when truck chassis used for fire service appliances had limited carrying capacity, so every item could not be consolidated onto a single rescue pumper, as it is nowadays.
It was fairly typical that a small Belgian town volunteer fire company would have two pump water tenders, an aerial, an 8000 liter tanker, a van-based fast road rescue unit with extrication and lighting gear - and one material truck.
These were on the same (or similar) chassis to the pumps, had a crew cab and a body which resembled a pumper, but included no pump, water tank or ladders. Essentially a backup rig, it had a lot of locker space, and typically carried extra BA and cylinders, additional hoses, ventilation and lighting equipment, foam compound and foam making equipment, salvage gear and level one hazmat materials.
It was also often deployed to general service alarms which did not require a firefighting unit. An important additional role at reports of serious fires was also to provide transportation for later arriving volunteer personnel after the pumps, aerial and tanker had turned out. This gained increased significance after pumper crews were reduced from eight to five riders.
It seems that these are now gradually dying out, as heavier truck chassis are being widely adopted to carry more items - as well as being able to operate as a pump appliance with a water tank.
It was fairly typical that a small Belgian town volunteer fire company would have two pump water tenders, an aerial, an 8000 liter tanker, a van-based fast road rescue unit with extrication and lighting gear - and one material truck.
These were on the same (or similar) chassis to the pumps, had a crew cab and a body which resembled a pumper, but included no pump, water tank or ladders. Essentially a backup rig, it had a lot of locker space, and typically carried extra BA and cylinders, additional hoses, ventilation and lighting equipment, foam compound and foam making equipment, salvage gear and level one hazmat materials.
It was also often deployed to general service alarms which did not require a firefighting unit. An important additional role at reports of serious fires was also to provide transportation for later arriving volunteer personnel after the pumps, aerial and tanker had turned out. This gained increased significance after pumper crews were reduced from eight to five riders.
It seems that these are now gradually dying out, as heavier truck chassis are being widely adopted to carry more items - as well as being able to operate as a pump appliance with a water tank.
Added by Rob Johnson on 20 September 2018.