skip to main content

Blog

A side by side image shows two red and black aerial fire trucks parked with flags in the background, one with a pump and tank and one with no pump and no tank. When a fire department is in need of elevated firefighting and rescue capabilities, it may consider an aerial fire truck.

But there is one critical component to consider: does the department require a water pump and tank on the apparatus?

This blog will compare aerial apparatus with a pump and tank versus an aerial apparatus with no pump and no tank to help fire departments understand the capabilities of each.

Aerial with No Pump and No Tank

The red Salt Lake City aerial fire truck with no pump and no tank is parked with its white aerial device elevated with mountains and a blue sky filled with clouds in the background. An aerial apparatus with no pump and no tank is a very traditional type of emergency vehicle common to the Northeast and East Coast regions. Traditionally referred to as a ‘truck company,’ a no pump, no tank aerial has a large complement of ground ladders.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) typically classifies an aerial with no pump and no tank as an "Aerial Fire Apparatus” as outlined in Chapter 8: Aerial Fire Apparatus, stating, "The apparatus shall be equipped with an aerial ladder, elevating platform, or water tower that meets the requirements of Chapter 19 (Aerial Devices).”

A fire department may be interested in a no pump no tank aerial based on several key factors:

  • Tight areas where the apparatus and aerial device cannot reach. In historical communities and congested urban areas, fire trucks and even aerial devices cannot access certain areas. In these cases, a truck with aerial rescue capabilities and a large number of ground ladders is essential. Ground ladders are critical in firefighting operations and a truck with a large complement of ladders is a great addition to an existing fleet of vehicles.
  • High storage requirements. If a fire department finds itself in need of both an aerial device and high storage capabilities, it may choose a no pump, no tank apparatus.
  • Fleet requirements. Each department fleet is different and may require specific types of trucks to support the vehicles already in service. This is often true when other vehicles in the fleet carry water, like a dedicated water tanker or pumper truck.

Aerial With A Pump and Tank

aerial-with-pump-and-tankAccording to NFPA standards, an aerial apparatus with a pump or tank must include a water tank that holds at least 300 gallons of water.

Most of the time, an aerial with a pump and tank is a quint, so-called because it carries five essential firefighting assets:

  • Hose (minimum 800 feet of at least 2-½ inch diameter and 400 feet of at least 1-½ inch diameter)
  • At least 300 gallons of water
  • Pump with a minimum capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute
  • Aerial device with a permanent waterway
  • At least 85 feet of ground ladders

A fire department may choose an aerial fire truck with a pump and tank, or a quint for several reasons.

  • Emergency response procedures. Many departments have established operating and firefighting procedures where an aerial apparatus with a pump and tank is required.
  • Versatility in fireground response. Many departments use quint fire trucks because of their versatility in the field.
  • An aerial with a pump and tank is a cost-effective choice. Choosing an aerial apparatus with a pump and tank means it can function effectively as an initial attack vehicle and as an aerial support vehicle, making it like two trucks in one.

How Do Fire Departments Choose Between Aerial Options?

aerial-fire-truck-platform-spraying-waterWhen it comes to selecting and designing an aerial apparatus, there are many factors that go into making the best choice for your fire department.

It is often advisable to start by evaluating your department and asking these simple questions:

  • What are the needs of the department? The type of aerial apparatus you choose should be based on the needs of your department. What call types will the apparatus support and what unique attributes must the truck have to manage emergency response efficiently? Fire trucks are a long-term investment—think about your department’s needs now, but also how they might change in the future as your community grows and changes.
  • What fire apparatus types are already in the fleet? No department has the budget (or the space) for equipment that isn’t needed. Evaluate your current fleet to determine any shortcomings: do you already have adequate water supply in your vehicles and just need an aerial device, or will a new apparatus with water better meet your needs?
  • How does the department respond to the scene? In many circumstances, evaluating the department’s response strategy can help advise on the type of aerial apparatus to select. For example, if the goal is to have an initial attack vehicle, then choosing an aerial apparatus with a pump and tank to initiate fire suppression efforts immediately may be best. Conversely, if a department always sends a pumper or tanker to the scene, an aerial apparatus with no pump and no tank may be the right fit.
  • What amount of hose and water do you require? Based on historical calls and typical emergency response, fire departments can get a good sense of the mission of the truck and the amount of hose and water required to be effective in the field.

How Pierce Manufacturing Supports Fire Departments

A red and white Pierce aerial fire truck with a pump and tank is parked outside a white facility with green grass and a blue sky background. Choosing a fire truck to add to your department fleet is a difficult task. The physical and performance attributes of any new aerial apparatus will transform your operations and enhance your emergency preparedness and response.

Pierce Manufacturing provides the support and guidance you may need as you start your firetruck procurement process.

From the initial consultation to product support through the lifetime of your apparatus purchase, Pierce and its network of trusted dealers is ready to help you on your aerial apparatus journey.

Which aerial apparatus do you prefer and why? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

View All Blog Posts

Subscribe & Keep Up To Date

Yes, I want to become a Pierce guru!



About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini pumpers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs approximately 17,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Hinowa, Power Towers, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh® AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the Company's ability to successfully integrate the AeroTech acquisition and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; the risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;  the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate other acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

# # #