Emergency Vehicle Manufacturers Key Terms

Don't be alarmed with confusion... these emergency vehicle manufacturers' key terms will help rescue you

By John Williams, Business Writing and Research

Emergency vehicle manufacturers encompass more than ambulances and fire engines. Reflecting our society’s complexity, emergency vehicle manufacturers construct conveyances capable of carrying people and materials to and from nearly every scenario imaginable, from fire and accident to biohazards and bomb threats. They also offer alternatives to the time and expense of the new vehicle procurement process. Familiarize yourself with the terms below to gain greater appreciation of the options available.

Ambulance

Manufacturers produce ambulances in three types. Type I and III are modular, having the square cabin mounted on a medium-duty chassis; Type I on a pick-up chassis, Type III on a cut-away van chassis. Type II ambulances are closer to a van conversion, with the van's roof raised to create the cabin.
Try: Metronix produces all three ambulance types, plus a Type IV mini-ambulance crafted from a small electric cart chassis.

Fire apparatus

A fire apparatus are mobile stations, categorized by a specific task within the fire fighting mission. Aerials deliver the ladders for high buildings. Pumpers house high-velocity pumps while tankers transport thousands of gallons of water to the scene. Rescue vehicles act as extra-heavy duty ambulances, bringing equipment to treat fire fighter and victim alike at the scene.
Try: Pierce Manufacturing’s site showcases photos and diagrams of each fire apparatus category, plus a “wildland” unit designed for forest blazes.

Rescue truck

A first responder is any authorized person on the scene, be it a police officer, medical technician or paramedic. Emergency vehicle manufacturers are responding to first responders' need for speed and versatility by producing rescue trucks capable of navigating through traffic to arrive on a scene more quickly than a full-size fire apparatus, but with more equipment than a van-type ambulance can hold, for greater versatility in handling a given situation the first responder may encounter.
Try: Horton produces light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty rescue trucks you can customize to handle any range of situation you’re likely to encounter in your area.

Command vehicles

Command vehicles are mobile field offices set on a heavy-duty truck chassis, and give emergency personnel the capability to stay on site and on task during times of extended crisis. This category encompasses specialty cabins to handle hazardous materials (called haz-mat response units) or bombs, called Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units.
Try: Emergency Vehicles showcases a variety of command vehicles, including decontamination centers and mobile arson investigation units.

Remounting

Beyond refurbishing, remounting re-fits modules (the actual body or cabin housing the emergency equipment) to a new or remanufactured chassis; a faster, less costly alternative to ordering new or taking chances on used.
Try: Excellance covers key benefits to remounting and refurbishing over buying new.

Conversion

Another alternative to buying a new dedicated emergency vehicle, conversion allows you to turn a truck or SUV you have on hand into a first responder, command or special unit by adding warning systems, communications equipment and storage options, including special heating or refrigerated systems for biomedical purposes.
Try: First Priority Emergency Vehicles explains the steps involved in converting a civilian vehicle into an emergency unit.