Fire Engines Photos

These 4X4 Internationals are used extensively in both cities and National Park fire services in the Western states for forest, brush and wildland fires. The "Boston bundle" crosslay is a bit unusual in these areas of the US, but it does faciltiate almost instantaneous deployment of the hose line.

I think these were all built to a standard specification, with a 600 gallon tank and a 600 GPM pump as I remember it. No ladders, BA, EMS or rescue equipment are normally carried. Despite the crew cab, manning is often only two or three personnel.

Because their runs are infrequent and mostly only in the fire season, many of these have been in service for twenty or thirty years now.

Added by Rob Johnson on 21 May 2013.

This looks to be a standard CDF (now CAL FIRE) Model 14 Westmark build-up. Many of these rigs were built for agencies all over the western US (I saw one in Colorado...Aspen or Vail if I recall). Its been a while since I worked off one, but I think they were 500gpm/500gal, and the little "pump" panel next to the crosslay was a foam system. Solid engines; CAL FIRE still has many in service.

Added by David Wachendorfer on 04 June 2013.

David: I agree. The CalFire was and the new ones still are 500/500, and this Flagstaff unit is one of them.

Some others were built, including I believe units for the National Park Service, with slightly larger tanks and/or pump capacities, including quite a few without crew cabs.

Added by Rob Johnson on 20 January 2018.

There are now dual purpose International 4X4 pumpers being brought into service in many communities, which combine both brush and structure firefighting capabilities.

On a longer wheelbase, higher weight, 4X4 chassis with a more powerful engine, these have a 1250 USGPM pump, a 750 USG tank, CAFS, BA, ladders and a larger hose bed.

The concept is that such a truck can more or less fully replace both a standard class A structure pumper and a brush unit, thereby saving the cost of acquiring and maintaining two vehicles.

Some European fire services have made a similar effort, often by upgrading a Unimog 4X4 to provide structural firefighting capabilities....

Added by Rob Johnson on 02 February 2018.

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