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Information on Fire Fighting Equipment

Fire departments across the country use a variety of tools to fires. From towering high-rise blazes to small vehicle fires, fire companies use a combination of hoses, ladders, trucks and hand tools to stop the flames as quickly as possible.

  1. Shielding the Body

    • Protecting the skin and airways are paramount to safe and effective firefighting. Helmets, coats, pants, masks and self-contained breathing apparatus work in unison to protect those charged with extinguishing structure and vehicle fires. Modern helmets are made of hardened, fire-retardant resin with rear brims designed to protect the neck and upper back from falling or burning debris. Foam or other supports inside a firefighter's helmet helps absorb shock if it's hit by hard objects. Firefighter hoods, typically made from fire-resistant knitted material, provide an extra barrier between flames and skin or hair. Under National Fire Protection Association standards, fire departments throughout the country issue outer coats made of of fire-resistant Kevlar material, gloves made of heavy leather and fire-resistant pants.

    Forcing Entry

    • Large axes and Halligan bars, used for prying and chopping, are mainstay tools for gaining entry to burning structures or for taking out walls or ceilings. Many fire rigs also carry jaws-of-life devices, hydraulically driven prying tools that help open car doors or other tough-to-open entryways.

    Lifting and Hoisting

    • The tough characteristics of Kevlar rope make it a typical tool aboard many fire rigs. The heavy-duty rope, recommended in National Fire Protection Agency standards, helps firefighters hoist victims or lower tools where needed. For raising firefighters to high elevations, many fire trucks possess special ladder/basket combinations known as aerial platforms. These devices aid in fighting roof blazes or in rescuing victims stranded in upper floors. Some fire units also carry smaller adjustable ladders that convert between straight ladders and A-frame shapes for various types of rescues, involving shorter elevations.

    Getting to the Fire

    • The New York State Department of State lists three basic types of fire trucks used by its department--and many others across the country. The most common type of fire truck--the pumper--is about 30 feet long and carries enough water for smaller remote blazes and vehicle fires. Larger tanker trucks hold about 1,000 gallons of water and typically dispatch to larger structure fires. Ladder trucks--often with aerial platforms or ladders that extend several stories high--tend to be 10 feet longer than both pumper or tanker trucks. These rigs specialize in helping firefighters battle flames from above.

    Extinguishing the Flames

    • Firefighters use several tools to quell flames that threaten lives and property. Large hoses--often crafted of heavy, heat-resistant nylon with brass couplings--extend several hundred feet and help pour hundreds or thousands of gallons of water on blazes. Most fire trucks also carry smaller extinguishers containing both pressurized water (for traditional wood or structure fires) and carbon dioxide (for chemical or grease fires).

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