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This configuration is pretty much unique to Chile, and is a hybrid rescue squad and city service ladder truck.
In addition to these older Mercedes bus chassis versions, some of the newer units are built on Iveco or Renault truck chassis.
The crew ride inside on longitudinal seats, with access from the rear, and the squad is normally five to seven members. These trucks have no pump, water tank or hoses, but they do carry very numerous ladders, as well as rescue equipment.
They seem to respond to structure fires most often along with two or three pumpers and an aerial ladder.
Added by Rob Johnson on 08 April 2013.
In addition to these older Mercedes bus chassis versions, some of the newer units are built on Iveco or Renault truck chassis.
The crew ride inside on longitudinal seats, with access from the rear, and the squad is normally five to seven members. These trucks have no pump, water tank or hoses, but they do carry very numerous ladders, as well as rescue equipment.
They seem to respond to structure fires most often along with two or three pumpers and an aerial ladder.
Added by Rob Johnson on 08 April 2013.
Santiago Fire Companies use a lot of ladders on building fires. They have several Youtube videos showing this.
Added by Les Davis on 09 April 2013.
Added by Les Davis on 09 April 2013.
Yes they do, and you will see many examples of Chilean trucks on this site, including lots of Renault-Camiva pumpers, which are very popular in Chile - and all of them carry ground ladders.
But in fire companies which have one of these ladder/rescue combinations, the pumpers tend to have only one or two shorter extension ladders, rather than the variety of long ladders carried on these units. In addition to a wide variety of ground ladders, these also carry rescue and extrication equipment, and of course they also bring significant extra personnel numbers to any incident.
Very similar trucks were quite popular in the USA between 1900 and around 1960, in communities which did not justify the purchase of an areial ladder. Bit they died out, being replaced either by aerials or "quad" combinations - which had a wide selection of ladders as well as a pump and water tank.
This type of unit may eventually die out in Chile too, or evolve into more of a rescue role, with ladders of all sizes spread around the pumper fleet, as in the UK. But traditions die hard - so this kind of transition may take several years.
In the meantime, here is yet another rather quirky and different answer to the question "what is a fire engine?"
Added by Rob Johnson on 09 April 2013.
But in fire companies which have one of these ladder/rescue combinations, the pumpers tend to have only one or two shorter extension ladders, rather than the variety of long ladders carried on these units. In addition to a wide variety of ground ladders, these also carry rescue and extrication equipment, and of course they also bring significant extra personnel numbers to any incident.
Very similar trucks were quite popular in the USA between 1900 and around 1960, in communities which did not justify the purchase of an areial ladder. Bit they died out, being replaced either by aerials or "quad" combinations - which had a wide selection of ladders as well as a pump and water tank.
This type of unit may eventually die out in Chile too, or evolve into more of a rescue role, with ladders of all sizes spread around the pumper fleet, as in the UK. But traditions die hard - so this kind of transition may take several years.
In the meantime, here is yet another rather quirky and different answer to the question "what is a fire engine?"
Added by Rob Johnson on 09 April 2013.
Rob, do you know of the spanish name for this kind of fire truck? I can't find any videos on YouTube showing it.
Added by Tiger on 10 April 2013.
Added by Tiger on 10 April 2013.
It is called a "carro portaescalas", or "ladder carrier truck", which seems to make sense!
Chilean fire companies are still buying them, and one was recent delivered to Punta Arenas on a US custom chassis. Unfortunately, I do not know the manufacturer, but quite a few US fire trucks are finding their way to Chile these days.
Added by Rob Johnson on 10 April 2013.
Chilean fire companies are still buying them, and one was recent delivered to Punta Arenas on a US custom chassis. Unfortunately, I do not know the manufacturer, but quite a few US fire trucks are finding their way to Chile these days.
Added by Rob Johnson on 10 April 2013.
Mercedes-Benz
Added by Bomba Boy on 11 April 2009.