Q&A with Fire Chief Brian Miller

Engine Company

Learn about WFD trucks in this special Q&A, available in the next six issues of the Community Recreation Guide.

Q. What is an Engine Company?

A. An Engine Company is a truck with a pump that carries 750 gallons of water and 1,000 feet of supply hose. When this hose is connected to a fire hydrant it can pump 1,500 gallons per minute. Also on the Engine is 250 feet of attack lines, 800 feet of multi-use hose, a 2.5-inch attack line used for commercial fires, ALS equipment, a 24-foot extension ladder, a roof (hook) ladder and water, dry chemical and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.

Q. How many firefighters are in an Engine Company?

A. Two to three including a lieutenant, two firefighters and typically a medic.

Q. What are some of the duties an Engine Company is responsible for during a fire?

A. Predominantly, fire emergencies. These include auto and structural fires and auto accidents. They also support the medics during advanced life support (ALS) runs.

Q. What is the difference between a fire truck and fire engine?

A. It technically depends on the part of the country you are in. On the East Coast, ladder companies are called truck companies. Pennsylvania and Ohio call them pumper truck.

Q. When you hook the hose to a hydrant, where does the water come from?

A. In the past, there were cisterns underground that stored water. The hose would be hooked to a pump that would pull water from the cistern to spray on the fire. When the water was gone, it was gone. Now, hydrants are hooked directly to the main water lines providing plenty of water needed to put out a fire.