Emergency vehicles come in various shapes and sizes. They all play a critical role in keeping our communities safe. Most emergency response vehicles have the authority to go faster than the speed limit or ignore traffic signals to get to where they need to be.
Emergency vehicles all have a distinct appearance that helps drivers differentiate them from other vehicles and indicates the emergency. Below are the various types of emergency vehicles and the purposes they serve.
If you want emergency vehicle upfitting services, TCS provides only the best products. You’ll find spotlights, perimeter lighting, window tinting, video systems, truck bed boxes, and other equipment that you can use in your fire trucks, ambulances, or police cars.
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- Police Cars
- Fire Trucks
- Ambulances
- Emergency Vehicle Upfitting
Emergency Vehicle Type 1: Police Cars
- Patrol cars
- Pursuit vehicles or interceptors
- Highway patrol vehicles
- SUVs
Patrol Cars
Patrol cars are police vehicles used to patrol the streets and respond to emergencies. Police departments primarily use them in metropolitan settings, and they are prominently marked with light bars and sirens as law enforcement vehicles.
Pursuit Vehicles or Interceptors
Police officers use pursuit vehicles for emergencies that require high speeds. At TCS Upfitting, we typically equip pursuit vehicles with front push bars and a more powerful engine than standard patrol cars.
Highway Patrol Vehicles
Officers use highway patrol vehicles to manage traffic, ticket and apprehend speeding vehicles, and quickly respond to highway collisions. These vehicles commonly have speed cameras installed, have more power than a conventional patrol car, and are driven by highly trained officers.
SUVs
Police officers in rural areas commonly use SUVs because of their versatility, comfort, and high performance. Thanks to modern technology and engineering, police SUVs are about as fast as patrol or response cars and come equipped with all-wheel drive.
Emergency Vehicle Type 2: Fire Truck Types
- Conventional fire trucks
- Fire engines
- Turntable ladder trucks
- Heavy rescue vehicles
- Quints
- A-wagons
- Water tenders
Fire trucks are indispensable types of emergency vehicles equipped for firefighting and rescue operations.
Conventional Fire Trucks
Conventional fire trucks are the most common fire trucks that drivers see. They are equipped with engines designed primarily for firefighting activities. Their goal is to transport firefighters to the scene and provide vital tools, hoses, equipment, and a limited quantity of water.
Fire Engine Types
Fire engines, often referred to as “pumpers,” are the first vehicles you’ll notice arriving at a fire scene. A typical fire engine has a water tank, a water pump, hundreds or even thousands of feet of powerful hoses, as well as additional materials, nozzles, and tools to ensure that the hoses perform properly. There are several types of fire engines.
- Type I Fire Engines: They carry all the necessary NFPA firefighting equipment and are specifically built to support urban, rural, and suburban departments.
- Type II Fire Engines Are equipped with many of the same features and tools as Type I fire engines but are more adaptable and commonly used for heavy-duty rescue scenarios.
- Type III and Type IV Fire Engines: These engines are typically employed in rural and wildland areas. They have various distinctive design and configuration elements to match the region they serve. Also called “wildland” fire engines, these vehicles are often built on a commercial 4×4 chassis and can handle off-road and diverse terrains.
- Type V, Type VI, and Type VII Fire Engines: Because they share similar design characteristics, Type V, Type VI, and Type VII fire engines are sometimes grouped together. These vehicles are usually pick-up trucks with four-wheel drive and a medium-duty chassis capable of carrying heavier loads than other types of fire engines.
Turntable Ladder Trucks
Turntable ladder trucks are unique vehicles that use a giant telescoping ladder to gain access to high locations. The ladder on the vehicle pivots thanks to the turntable, making it easy to spray water in the desired direction.
Heavy Rescue Vehicle
As the name implies, this vehicle has specialized equipment for technical rescue missions, which is one reason why heavy rescue vehicles are frequently seen at fire scenes, massive traffic collisions, and building collapses.
Quints
Quints perform several vital roles, serve other tactical firefighting responsibilities, and maintain a constant water supply through their water tanks and pumps.
A-Wagons
A-Wagons, or hazardous materials apparatuses, are unique vehicles designed to combat brush and grass fires.
Water Tenders
The primary purpose of a water tender is to collect, transport, and deliver water to emergency fire scenes.
Emergency Vehicle Type 3: Ambulances
- First responder ambulances
- Isolation ambulances
- Advanced life support ambulances
- Basic life support ambulances
- Multiple victim assistance (MVA) ambulances
- Patient transport vehicles
- Neonatal ambulances
- Bus ambulances
First Responder Ambulances
First responder ambulances are small, fast vehicles that can navigate tight locations and heavy traffic more easily than large ambulances. The first responder team commonly treats and stabilizes patients until ambulances arrive with the equipment and capacity to transport individuals to a hospital.
Isolation Ambulances
Isolation ambulances transport patients who require isolation due to exposure to hazardous chemicals, radiation, or highly contagious diseases. They contain sealed units with bio and chemical filters.
Advanced Life Support Ambulances
Advanced life support ambulances are sometimes called mobile ICUs, as they have advanced medical equipment installed to treat a range of life-threatening diseases and critically ill patients.
Basic Life Support Ambulances
Basic life support ambulances treat people with minor medical problems and will most likely be dispatched to examine and treat patients before transporting them to a medical institution.
Multiple Victim Assistance (MVA) Ambulances
Multiple victim assistance ambulances, or MVAs, are the most common type of ambulance seen during public events (i.e., concerts, festivals, sporting events). These vehicles are more akin to first aid stations than life support vehicles for significant trauma, injuries, or illnesses.
Patient Transport Vehicles
Patient transport vehicles transport patients recovering from surgery, very frail patients, or patients who cannot be transported in a regular ambulance due to injuries or medical conditions.
Neonatal Ambulances
Neonatal ambulances attend to deliveries and post-delivery needs. Neonatal ambulances also transport babies to specialized hospitals for medical treatment if illnesses or physical problems arise during or after birth.
Bus Ambulances
Bus ambulances are frequently utilized at locations where earthquakes, hurricanes, building collapses, or other similar calamities have occurred where many people have been injured.
Custom Upfitting Solutions for Emergency Vehicles
Emergency service professionals rely on highly specialized vehicles equipped with the right tools to respond quickly and efficiently. Whether transporting medically compromised individuals, securing law enforcement equipment, or improving visibility with advanced lighting, proper upfitting is essential.
When planning your emergency vehicle upgrades, consider these essential features:
Lighting Systems for Maximum Visibility
Light bars and directional lighting improve visibility in all weather and emergency conditions.
Siren and Speaker Systems for Alerts
High-powered sirens and speakers ensure quick and clear communication with other motorists and pedestrians.
Secure Storage for Weapons and Equipment
Weapon vaults and storage racks provide secure and organized compartments for law enforcement gear.
Technology Integration for Improved Communication
- Computers and camera systems enhance real-time data access, security, and incident documentation.
Enhanced Safety Features for Transport Vehicles
Prisoner seating and partitions ensure secure and safe transport for detainees in law enforcement vehicles.
Learn More About Emergency Vehicle Upfitting with TCS Upfitting
Each type of emergency vehicle requires specialized equipment to ensure optimal performance during crises. From sirens to light bars and public address systems, having the right tools can make all the difference. TCS Upfitting in Wichita, Kansas, is dedicated to providing high-quality solutions for all emergency response vehicles.
Contact TCS Upfitting today to learn how we can provide reliable, customized fitting solutions for your emergency vehicle fleet.