Pumper fire trucks are typically the first on the scene during an emergency. As one of the most frequently used apparatus in a department’s fleet, it’s essential each pumper is thoughtfully designed and customized to meet the specific operational needs of the department.

Thoughtful pumper design maximizes operational efficiency and firefighter safety. Every decision, from hosebed height to tank size, directly affects on-scene performance. As fire departments plan long-term investments, well-designed pumper apparatus can align with current tactical priorities and evolving community needs.

South County Fire in Washington recently went through this process. The department prioritized a low hose bed for quick, efficient line deployment, increased onboard water for longer initial attack times and added low-mounted ladders for immediate access. Each choice is tied directly to their tactical philosophy: aggressive interior attack with fast water on the fire and high accessibility to tools supporting life-saving operations.

Let’s take a look at six key features designed to improve a department’s pumper design and how South County Fire approached the customization process. 

Pumper Design Key Features and Considerations

Designing a pumper means making choices which directly reflect a department’s specific operations. Each decision should support the department’s goals while accounting for the day-to-day demands of the department's specific response area. Performance, functionality, durability and safety must be balanced to create the right apparatus for the department.

“If you're completely comfortable with your spec, you may have not pushed the limits enough. You’ve got to spec a pumper that’s going to work for you now and still be right 15 to 20 years down the road.” – Captain Derek Roberts, South County Fire

1. Chassis and Engine Configuration

Every pumper starts with the chassis, and this choice sets the tone for how the rig is customized for the field. From maneuverability around tight fire scenes to smart compartment layout and better ergonomics, a purpose-built, custom chassis helps crews work faster and safer. Departments may also choose a commercial chassis to align with fleet standardization, simplify maintenance or meet regional preferences.

Choosing the right powertrain is just as important as selecting the chassis. Engines like the PACCAR MX-13 offer the strength to handle real-world terrain, heavy loads and demanding call volumes.

Design decisions regarding chassis and engine selection should reflect common pumper use-case scenarios, frequency of runs and serviceability. 
South County Fire focused on simplifying the foundation of their apparatus which results in easier service. The simplicity is backed with uptime in mind.

“We started taking things away and simplifying processes. I think it will build us a rig with a lot of longevity.” – Captain Derek Roberts, South County Fire

2. Pumping System

The pumping system sits at the core of the apparatus, and its design needs to match how and where the department operates. Pump capacity is a key decision point. Depending on the type and volume of calls a department supports, pump ratings can range from 500 to 3,000 gallons per minute. Departments responding to high-volume fire incidents or operating in areas with delayed water supply access often require higher capacities to maintain flow and pressure at the fire ground. In some cases, particularly when high-pressure flows are needed for high-rise operations or long-distance hose lays, a multi-stage pump may be considered. Two-stage pumps offer additional pressure performance and flexibility, allowing crews to switch between high-pressure and high-volume modes as needed.

South County Fire used a data-driven approach to adjust its pump and tank specifications. After reviewing response data, the team found the existing apparatus ran out of water in nearly 30-percent of incidents before establishing a hydrant connection. To address this, the team increased the onboard water beyond the standard 500-gallon tank. They also created a simplified pump design for operational flexibility and time efficiency during the first few minutes of a fire attack.

“We had 500-gallon tanks because that’s what we always ordered. However, when we looked at the data, we saw we ran out of water 30-percent of the time before the hydrant hit. We knew this had to change.” – Captain Derek Roberts, South County Fire

3. Water and Foam Tanks

Water tank size directly affects how long a crew can work on a fire without a hydrant. A larger tank gives firefighters more water support before hydrants or supply lines are required. A standard 750-gallon tank balances space, weight and the duration of sustained water flow. Expanding this capacity can make a meaningful difference in operational success in areas where mutual aid is required or with limited hydrant access.

Foam systems can also be added to support suppression efforts, particularly during vehicle fires, fuel spills or industrial incidents. These systems come with added plumbing, components and service demand, all factors to be considered in the specification process.

Interested in hearing more insights on pumper apparatus design? Listen to the Pierce™ Dispatch Podcast featuring the South County Fire Department now.  

4. Storage and Compartmentation

How equipment is stored on a pumper matters just as much as how much it can carry. Organized, accessible storage supports efficiency on scene and overall departmental priorities. Dedicated space should be allocated for tools used frequently during fire response.

Compartments should be created with firefighter safety and ergonomics in mind, in strategic areas where firefighters can access them quickly and without unnecessary lifting or awkward movements. Features like low ladder mounts, swing-out tool boards and slide-out trays aren’t just conveniences—they help crews move faster and safer at the scene.

South County Fire took a strategic compartmentation approach, removing its traditional broad equipment inventory and prioritizing critical tool space to directly support the most common types of calls. This shift reduced clutter, lightened the overall load and allowed for a more intentional, task-driven layout. 

“I was shocked at how easy it was to get rid of certain things. So many people said, ‘Yeah, I’ve wondered why we carried that for the last 20 years.’” – Captain Derek Roberts, South County Fire

Interested in seeing more examples of pumpers? Read our blog: Pumper Fire Apparatus: Overview and Examples or visit our dedicated pumper page.

5. Safety Features

Modern pumper design places a high priority on firefighter safety while driving and during on-scene operations. 

Safety features to consider include:

• Advanced suspension systems like TAK-4® Independent Suspension improve ride quality, stability and control, especially in tight urban areas or at higher speeds. A smoother ride means better handling and less crew fatigue while protecting onboard equipment from excessive vibration.
• Safety features and innovations, like frontal air bags, Side Roll Protection™, 360-degree backup cameras and electronic stability control, amongst others, support firefighter well-being without compromising performance or response readiness.
  
• Ladder accessibility can speed deployment through external ladder racks or hydraulic ladder systems, which enhances overall on-scene operations.
  
• Telematics and onboard connectivity, like ClearSky Intelligence™,  offer real-time data tracking to support vehicle health, flag maintenance needs and support more efficient fleet management. The equipment's ability to relay performance information helps reduce overall downtime and catch issues early, aiding in operator safety and extending the rig's service life. 
  

South County Fire was particularly interested in improved ladder accessibility options. Ultimately, the team chose low-side mounted ladders to speed up deployment and improve access. The tradeoff was reduced compartment space, but the ability to reach and deploy ladders quickly outweighed storage loss.

“Ladders right on the fender gave us faster access, and if life safety is the priority, then the decision made itself.” – Captain Derek Roberts, South County Fire

6. Service and Maintenance

When designing a pumper, serviceability should be factored in alongside pump performance and storage layout. Apparatus designed with service in mind reduce downtime, improve reliability and extend the life of the truck.

Design features which prioritize service access, like simplified plumbing paths, accessible filter and fluid locations and clear diagnostic panels, can save valuable time in the field and during routine maintenance. South County Fire prioritized ergonomic access for both firefighters and technicians to streamline interaction with the rig and keep it in peak operating condition.

Departments also benefit from working with manufacturers who stand behind their products. Pierce’s dealer and aftermarket network includes more than 100 service centers across North America, ready to assist with parts, service, diagnostics and training. From routine inspections to long-term lifecycle support, departments have the confidence of knowing there’s always help close by.

Learn more about Pierce Service and Support.

South County Fire used department-specific information to guide its design choices throughout the build process. Historical response data showed which tools were actually needed, how often water supply delays occurred and where equipment placement slowed operations down. This insight allowed for intentional, customized design choices.

“We asked the hard questions, looked at our numbers and built a rig to fit how we really operate—not how we assumed we did.” – Captain Derek Roberts, South County Fire

Developing the right apparatus starts with asking the right questions. It requires collaboration with experienced fire truck manufacturers, a clear understanding of operational priorities and a willingness to make tough decisions based on data. At South County Fire, the deputy chief of logistics, James Curtis empowered firefighters to take the reins in the design process, trusting those who use the pumper daily to shape an apparatus based on what truly matters for the mission of the truck, now and into the future.

Are you in the process of specing a pumper? Let us know your questions in the comments! Or, reach out to your local Pierce dealer to learn how to get started with a pumper design to work for your department now and for the next 20 years.