• Home
  • About FFTB
    • The Mission
    • Start Here
    • Disclaimer
  • The Team
    • Contributors
    • Photo Contributors
    • Guest Contributors
    • The Original Crew
  • Contact
facebook
twitter
youtube
google_plus
email
  • Start Here
  • PODCAST
    • About The Podcast
    • Podcast Episode Pages
    • Podcast on iTunes
    • Podcast Official Sponsors
    • Podcast Sponsorship
  • 5 Min Clinics
    • 5 Minute Engine Co Clinic
    • 5 Minute Truck Co Clinic
    • 5 Minute Officer Clinic
    • 5 Minute Clinic Series
  • Product Reviews
  • Articles
    • Eng Co
    • Truck Co
    • Co Officer
    • Safety & FF Rescue
    • General
      • Social Media/ Public Relations
      • FF Communications
      • Art & Science of Firefighting
      • Life Skills
      • Hazardous Materials
      • Rescue Operations
      • Special Operations
        • Marine Operations
        • Airport Fire & Rescue Operations
  • Health & Fitness
  • FF Mindset
BREAKING NEWS
3 Rule Outs of the Medical Patient
“TOP 10” Fire Station Functional Fitness Training Equipment – Part 2
“TOP 10” Fire Station Functional Fitness Training Equipment – Part 1
Keys to Conducting Comprehensive Feedback to Firefighters
3 Keys to Truck Check Success
The 3 Best Types of Workouts for Firefighters – Part 3
PWR Training Sandbag – Product Review
The 3 Best Types of Workouts for Firefighters – Part 2
3 Ways Firefighters can Reduce the Chance of a Back Injury
The 3 Best Types of Workouts for Firefighters – Part 1
Practice How You Play
How to Execute the Proper Kettlebell Swing
What Every Firefighter Needs to Know About NFPA 1583
5 Exercises to Improve Grip Strength for Firefighters
6 Ways Firefighters can Use Exercise Progressions and Regressions
3 Workout Tips for the Volunteer Firefighter
074 – Introduction to Firefighter Functional Fitness
Firefighter Functional Fitness – 7 Tips for Planning Weekly Workouts
The 3 Cornerstones of Firefighter Fitness Success
8 Must-Do Exercises for Serious Firefighter Functional Fitness

“Quint”essential Equipment – Part 1

Posted On 21 Nov 2013
By : Rob Fling
Comment: 0
Tag: apparatus development, equipment locations, strategy and tactics, Truck Company Operations

Modern fire apparatus comes in all shapes and sizes. From mini-pumpers that fit into parking garages to rescue’s that seem to stretch for a city block, one can let their imagination run wild when its time to spec out a new piece of apparatus. Often overlooked as an option, today’s quint can park an awful lot of firefighting “punch” in front of a building if used to its’ full potential.

What is a Quint?

A quintuple combination pumper or quint as it is commonly referred to is a piece of apparatus that serves as both a ladder and an engine. The term is derived from the Latin prefix “quinque” which means five. NFPA 1901:

The Standard For Automotive Fire Apparatus goes into detail but for the purpose of this article to be considered a quint the truck must possess the following five qualities:
pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial device with permanent waterway and ground ladders.

The quint was quite the revolutionary idea back in 1912 when it was first manufactured. During the 1990’s many departments used quints to combat “budget cuts”. The thinking amongst some was that we could combine an engine and truck into one piece of apparatus staff it with four firefighters and everything would be great.

However, it is not the intention of this article to describe how we can do more with less. It is the intention to show how a well set up quint staffed with a well-trained crew can be an advantage at the scene of a structure fire.

The Equipment and the Quint

Many quints carry just enough equipment to satisfy NFPA 1901 and this is where they fall short of carrying out their full potential.

The Dix Hills FD (Long Island, NY) currently runs a 2006 Pierce 75’ Quint on a Dash Chassis. It has a 2000 gpm (gallon per minute) single stage pump with a 500 gallon tank. The truck carries as much hose as a traditional engine (including stand pipe packs and foam) and all the tools of a traditional truck company which makes the apparatus more than capable of handling anything that it rolls up on. It responds first due on all structure fires and mutual aid FAST truck (RIT) requests.

Truck or Engine?

The Dix Hill’s truck is also highly maneuverable, if the officer feels the building is out of the reach of the stick the truck can be pulled into a driveway with no problems. The department’s SOP’s dictate if the truck is first due to a working fire it shall establish a water supply and operate as an engine.

If it arrives after a traditional engine company (which will pull past the building to leave room) it will take the front of the building and operate as a truck. All of the department’s firefighters are “cross trained” and are equally versed in engine and truck company functions.

Next Week

In next week’s article we will discuss and show the compartment layout of a quint and how it benefits firefighting operations. Any questions feel free to comment below.
Until then be safe!

 

About the Author
Robert has over 17 years in the fire service and is currently with the Dix Hills Fire Department, Long Island, NY. He is passionate about the fundamentals of firefighting and the important role they play in building our future firefighters and leaders. Robert states that taking a “back to basics” approach to training will give our firefighters the skills they need to ensure they do their job safely and efficiently. As leaders, we need to be progressive and constantly improve our operations before tragedy strikes.
  • google-share
Previous Story

The Truck Officer: It’s More Than Just A Seat

Next Story

“Quint”essential Equipment – Part 2

Related Posts

0

5 Must Have Tools for Firefighter Rescue – Part 3

Posted On 10 Jul 2014
, By Robert Simmons
0

5 Must Have Tools for Firefighter Rescue – Part 2

Posted On 03 Jul 2014
, By Robert Simmons
0

5 Must Have Tools for Firefighter Rescue – Part 1

Posted On 24 Apr 2014
, By Robert Simmons
6

7 Ways For Firefighters To Use Webbing

Posted On 21 Apr 2014
, By Rob Fling
Firefighter Toolbox The Water Can
14

The 2-1/2 Gallon Water Extinguisher

Posted On 17 Apr 2014
, By Rob Fling
10

“Chock” Full Of Uses

Posted On 14 Apr 2014
, By Rob Fling

Search Site

Archives

DOWNLOAD FREE REPORT

Popular Posts

FirefighterToolbox Podcast

FireFighterToolbox Podcast (Internet Radio Interview Show)

48 Comments

Top 6 Reasons To Use A 2-1/2" Handline

29 Comments

The Role Of The Second Due Engine - Part 2

18 Comments
Copyright 2013-2017 FirefighterToolbox.com All Rights Reserved.