What's the Difference Between an Airport Fire Truck and a Normal Fire Truck?

When it comes to ensuring safety and handling emergencies, airport firefighters operate vehicles that are significantly different from those operated by footpath firefighters. This article delves into the distinctions between these two types of fire trucks.

Key Differences in Design and Operation

The primary differences between an airport fire truck and a normal fire truck can be summarized in terms of design, functionality, and operational scenarios.

Design and Appearance

Footpath Fire Truck:

The footpath fire truck, employed by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, is typically painted in red and yellow, with a design that emphasizes compactness and maneuverability in residential areas. The truck features an Isuzu cab with a custom rear and a bullbar, making it suitable for navigating through small spaces and quiet streets.

Airport Fire Truck:

In contrast, airport fire trucks are Hivis yellow in color and are custom-built for their specific purposes. These trucks are equipped with a pointed nose to allow them to easily pass through crash gates, which are essential in securing access to aircraft incidents. Sometimes, a wire cutter is mounted beneath the nose to help force through chainlink fences should the need arise.

Operational Scenarios and Uses

The environments and responsibilities of these trucks are quite different. The footpath fire truck operates in residential areas, where it must be compact and able to maneuver easily in narrow streets. On the other hand, airport fire trucks can be quite large, as they operate in the wide-open spaces of airports.

A footpath fire truck usually responds alone or with one additional appliance, while an airport fire truck often responds with one or two other trucks, along with a command vehicle. This is to ensure that there is sufficient response capacity in case a major incident occurs.

Fuel and Water Capacity

One notable difference is the water and foam capacity. A footpath fire truck relies on hydrants or water tankers for its water supply, with limited on-board storage. In contrast, airport fire trucks are equipped with substantial water tanks, as there are no hydrants available on airport runways.

Specialized Equipment and Features

Airport Fire Truck Capabilities

Airport fire trucks are built with specialized equipment to handle aircraft incidents. These trucks are known as Crash Fire Rescue (CFR) vehicles, which are uniquely designed for rapid response to incidents involving aircraft.

CFR vehicles are equipped with:

Large water tanks Advanced foam systems High GPM (Gallons per Minute) pumps Fixed or remotely operated nozzles High horsepower engines Heavy off-road 4-wheel drive suspension

Some highly specialized airports may have crash-rescue vehicles with two engines, enabling them to both carry heavy loads and move quickly to an aircraft incident. These vehicles are designed to provide water or foam within 90 seconds of arrival, which is critical for passenger safety and the integrity of the aircraft.

Versatility and Assistance

While airport fire trucks are primarily stationed at the airport, they occasionally leave to assist with structure fires. These trucks are particularly useful in dealing with flammable liquid fires due to their specialized foam systems.

In summary, the differences between an airport fire truck and a normal fire truck are not just superficial. The specialized design, equipment, and operational scenarios highlight the unique challenges and requirements faced by airport firefighters in ensuring the safety and emergency management of air travel.