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A red and white Pierce quint fire truck is driving on an asphalt road past a mirrored city building.

Even though quint fire trucks have been around for more than a century, there is still some confusion about the quint’s operation, capabilities, advantages and requirements.

A quint can be a valuable apparatus for a fire department, but it is important to keep the department’s needs in mind and know what kind of staffing is required to make the best use of the apparatus.

Below, we outline the NFPA requirements of quint fire trucks, show examples and review some important considerations to keep in mind as your fire department considers adding a quint to its fleet.

What is a Quint Fire Truck?

A quint fire truck is an apparatus that combines the equipment capabilities of a ladder truck and the water-pumping ability of a fire engine. As its name implies, it features five main tools to carry out firefighting functions:

  • Pump
  • Water tank
  • Fire hose
  • Aerial device
  • Ground ladders

The quint has been around since the early 20th century. In fact, the first patent for a quintuple combination pumper date back to 1912. But today’s quints are much more stable, maneuverable and capable than their early counterparts, due in part to a single rear axle configuration, longer reach and a higher-powered engine.

A red quint fire truck with a black stripe drives on an asphalt road next to a green hillside with a blue sky and white clouds in the background.

According to the National Fire Protection Association and The Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, a modern quint must have:

  • A fire pump with a capacity of at least 1,000 gallons per minute.
  • A water tank that can hold at least 300 gallons.
  • At least 40 cubic feet of enclosed compartment storage.
  • Suction hose, including a minimum of 15 feet of soft suction hose or 20 feet of hard suction hose for drafting water.
  • An aerial ladder or elevated platform with a permanent waterway.
  • 85 feet or more of ground ladders, including at least two extension ladders, one straight ladder equipped with roof hooks and one attic ladder.
  • Hose storage area with at least 30 cubic feet of storage able to accommodate a fire hose of 2.5 inches or larger, plus two areas, each a minimum of 3.5 cubic feet, to accommodate 1.5-inch or larger preconnected fire hose lines.

Why Are Quints Beneficial to Fire Departments?

The main benefit of a quint fire apparatus is flexibility. The quint offers a multifaceted tool that can respond to the fire ground and initiate critical support to match the requirements of the emergency.

With a quint fire truck, you have the capability of a ladder truck and pumper engine. As such, the vehicle can lead the initial fire attack while carrying much of the equipment needed by the department, such as an aerial device, water, hose, ground ladders and more.

In addition to emergency response versatility, the quint can also help fire departments save money. The ability to package both a ladder and pumper engine together means that a fire department can buy one vehicle instead of two.

But keep in mind, there is more to consider than just the firefighting tools at your disposal. Determining if a quint fire truck is right for your department starts with understanding your department's needs and mission as well as the personnel available to operate the apparatus.

Is a Quint Fire Truck Right for Your Department?

A red and white quint fire truck is parked at dusk with its ladder raised at a 3-story building. The ladder is lit red, white and blue and the fire truck emergency lights are turned on.

Before deciding if a quint is right for your department and what type of quint you need, it’s important to analyze the needs of the department, including:

  • What is the mission of the unit?
  • What are the tools and equipment necessary to carry out that mission?
  • What are the operational goals of the unit?
  • What staff are available to operate the unit?
  • What additional training would staff need to use the apparatus to its best potential?

By determining the functionality and tools you require, your fire department can understand if a quint is the best option to meet the needs of your community.

Another vital issue to keep in mind is staffing. Just because a quint combines a ladder truck and pumper engine functions doesn’t mean a department can accomplish all those things at once with a four-person crew. It’s important to adequately staff the apparatus so that all tasks can be accomplished safely. And remember, crew members will need to be cross-trained in both engine and ladder company functions.

Additionally, it’s important to know your geographical region. A test drive can help you determine how the various models will operate in your coverage area. Focus on the tallest structures and areas where the buildings are set back farthest from the road. Consider the space you’ll need for maneuvering and how much reach is required. These considerations will help you design and develop the best unit for your department.

Quint Fire Trucks in Service

Eau Claire Fire Rescue

A red and black quint fire truck from Eau Claire Fire Rescue is parked in a lot in front of three flags and autumn-colored trees at Pierce Manufacturing.

The Eau Claire Fire & Rescue aerial quint fire truck in an Ascendant® 110’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Platform featuring an Enforcer™ chassis. It includes a Husky 3 foam system, a Pierce PUC™ Midship pump and a 500-gallon water tank with the ability to pump 1500 GPM.

Southlake Department of Public Safety - Aerial

The Southlake Department of Public Safety aerial fire truck is pictured parked in front of three flags and green trees at Pierce Manufacturing.

The Southlake Department of Public Safety aerial quint fire truck is a 100’ Heavy-Duty Steel Aerial Platform with a Detroit Diesel DD13 engine. The apparatus includes a Hale Midship pump, a Husky™ 12 foam system and a 300-gallon water tank that can pump 2000 GPM.

Newtown Square Fire Company No.1 - Aerial

The Newtown Square Fire Company No.1 aerial truck is parked at Pierce Manufacturing in front of three flags and several trees with a blue sky background.

The Newtown Square Fire Company No.1 aerial truck is a 105’ Heavy-Duty Steel Aerial Ladder on an Enforcer™ chassis. The quint fire truck includes a Hale Midship pump and a 500-gallon water tank that can pump 2000 GPM.

Pierce Manufacturing Quint Fire Trucks

The ladder of a quint fire truck is extended spraying water in the foreground while the red truck is parked in the background with a blue sunny sky.

If you decide to purchase a quint fire truck, Pierce Manufacturing is here to meet your needs. Our flexible options will help you acquire the truck that is best for your department, while our 24/7 service and aftermarket support will help keep the truck in top shape for the life of your apparatus.

The quint is available on all Pierce custom chassis, except the Saber, and it can be tailored to Pierce’s 75-foot, 100-foot, 105-foot and 107-foot aerial ladder product lines. Pierce developed the 107-foot aerial ladder to increase the horizontal reach to over 100 feet, giving staff a full operational advantage when fighting fires with larger setbacks while still meeting the equipment requirements for a quint. Quint trucks are also available with both rear-mount platform and mid-mount platforms

 

Ladders Comparison
  Custom Chassis Ladder Reach Operating Range Payload Capacities Wind Rating Flow Capacity Stabilizers Stabilizer Spread Rear Axle Tank Capacities Pump Range Hosebed Capacities
75’ Heavy-Duty Aluminum Ladder  Enforcer™, Impel®,  Velocity® 75' Vertical
67' 9" Horizontal
-8° to 76° 750 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 35 mph Up to 1,500 gpm 1 set of H-style 16' Single Up to 500 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" hose
75’ Heavy-Duty Steel Ladder Enforcer™, Impel®,  Velocity® 75' Vertical
67' Horizontal
-5° to 75° 500 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 50 mph Up to 1,000 gpm 1 set of H-style 16' Single or Tandem Up to 500 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" hose
100’ Heavy-Duty Aluminum Ladder Enforcer™, Velocity® 100' Vertical
91' 7" Horizontal
-8° to 76° 750 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 35 mph Up to 1,500 gpm 2 sets of H-style 12' Tandem Up to 750 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" hose
100’ Heavy-Duty Steel Ladder Enforcer™, Velocity® 100' Vertical
94' 1" Horizontal
-8° to 75° 750 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 50 mph Up to 1,250 gpm 2 sets of H-style Up to 14' Tandem Up to 750 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" hose
105’ Heavy-Duty Steel Ladder Enforcer™, Impel®, Velocity® 105' Vertical
100' Horizontal
-8° to 75° 750 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 50 mph Up to 1,250 gpm 2 sets of H-style Up to 16' Tandem Up to 750 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" hose
Ascendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Ladder – Single Rear Axle Enforcer™, Impel®, Velocity® 107' Vertical
100' Horizontal
-10° to 77° 750 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 50 mph Up to 1,500 gpm 1 set of H-style & 1 down-jack 18' Single Up to 500 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" or split load 700' of 5" & 600'of 3" hose
Ascendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Ladder – Tandem Rear Axle Enforcer™, Impel®, Velocity® 107' Vertical
100' Horizontal
-10° to 77° 750 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 50 mph Up to 1,500 gpm 1 set of H-style & 2 down-jacks 16' Tandem Up to 750 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" hose
Platforms Comparison
  Custom Chassis Ladder Reach Operating Range Payload Capacities Wind Rating Flow Capacity Stabilizers Stabilizer Spread Rear Axle Tank Capacities Pump Range Hosebed Capacities
100’ Heavy-Duty Aluminum Platform Enforcer™, Velocity® 100' Vertical
92' Horizontal
-11.5° to 76° 1,000 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 35 mph Up to 2,000 gpm 2 sets of H-style 16' 6" Tandem Up to 500 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" hose
100’ Heavy-Duty Steel Platform Enforcer™, Velocity® 100' Vertical
93' Horizontal
-5° to 75° 1,000 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 50 mph Up to 3,000 gpm 2 sets of H-style 18' Tandem Up to 500 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" hose
Ascendant® 100’ Heavy-Duty Tower Enforcer™, Velocity® 100' Vertical
93' Horizontal
-15° to 77° 1,000 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 35 mph Up to 2,000 gpm 1 set of H-style & 4 down-jacks 18' Tandem Up to 300 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship Up to 800' of 5" hose
Ascendant® 110’ Heavy-Duty Platform – Single Rear Axle Enforcer™, Impel®, Velocity® 110' Vertical
90' Horizontal
-10° to 77° 750 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 35 mph Up to 1,250 gpm 1 set of H-style & 1 down-jack 18' Single Up to 500 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" or split load 700' of 5" & 600'of 3" hose
Ascendant® 110’ Heavy-Duty Platform – Tandem Rear Axle Enforcer™, Impel®, Velocity® 110' Vertical
90' Horizontal
-10° to 77° 750 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 35 mph Up to 1,250 gpm 1 set of H-style & 2 down-jacks 16' Tandem Up to 750 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" hose
Heavy-Duty Tractor Drawn Aerial
  Custom Chassis Ladder Reach Operating Range Payload Capacities Wind Rating Flow Capacity Stabilizers Stabilizer Spread Tank Capacities Pump Range Hosebed Capacities
Ascendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Tractor Drawn Aerial Enforcer™, Velocity® 107' Vertical
100' Horizontal
-10° to 77° Up to 750 lb dry
500 lb wet
Up to 50 mph Up to 1,500 gpm 1 set of H-style 17' Up to 300 gallons Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™ Up to 1,000' of 5" hose
Sky-Boom
  Custom Chassis Ladder Reach Operating Range Payload Capacities Wind Rating Flow Capacity Stabilizers Stabilizer Spread Rear Axle Pump Range
Sky-Boom Enforcer™, Impel®, Velocity® 55' or 61' Vertical
45' 5" or 51' Horizontal
-5° to 85° 500 lb dry
250 lb wet
Up to 20 mph Up to 1,000 gpm 1 set of A-style 12' 10" Single or Tandem Waterous, Hale, Darley Midship, PTO, PUC™

All quint options have an Ice Rating of up to 0.25".

 

At Pierce, we are proud to offer the quint to meet the requirements of fie departments across the country and around the world. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss your department’s operational goals and help you find the right quint for your community.

Do you have any additional questions about quints? Let us know in the comments!

 

 

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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.

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