Quint's and their role in the fire service

In many suburban towns in the nation, the quint ladder truck has become the common truck company in these towns. Many departments utilize them. Whether volunteer or career, quints are a great tool for limited manpower departments. 

What is a Quint? 

A quint is a cross between an engine company and a ladder company. Quints serve as dual-purpose rigs on the fire ground.  The technical name for a quint is a “Quintuple”. "Quintuple" refers to the five functions that a quint provides: a pump, a water tank, a hose, an aerial ladder, and ground ladders. Certain tractor-drawn aerials also have quint features, and are dubbed "quillers". Some departments that use a quint also carry rescue equipment on them. 

Many departments that use quints utilize them as an engine when first arriving on scene. For example, in St. Louis, Missouri, the St. Louis Fire Department’s fleet is a majority of quints. For them, the first-due company assumes the role of first-in engine, secures an initial water supply, and begins fire attack. Under the quint concept, the second-arriving quint would position in front of the fire building to make best use of its aerial device and assume truck company duties unless the crew is on a reserve with no working aerial device. In most suburban departments, the quint is likely to be the only ladder on the fire. The quint needs to be thinking about positioning, no matter its arrival order. The building occupancy’s size and the fire location should help to determine Quint's functional responsibility as an engine or as a truck. 

NFPA Standards for Quints

• Tank - A minimum capacity of 300 gallons of water

• Pump - A minimum capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute

• Aerial Device - Includes a permanently installed waterway

• Fire Hose - Equipped with supply hose and attack hose

• Ground Ladders - A minimum of 85 feet in length

Quints come in many different variations.

Mid-Mount Quint:

• An aerial device mounted in the middle of the vehicle.

• Lower center of gravity for improved stability.

• Suitable for narrow streets and challenging terrains.

Rear-Mount Quint: An aerial device mounted at the rear.

• Greater reach for high-rise buildings.

• Preferred for urban areas with tall structures.

Custom Quints:

• Tailored to unique departmental requirements.

• Options for advanced technology, increased storage, or specialized equipment.

In conclusion, quints are a versatile fire apparatus; they can be used by many departments for various needs. Whilst they may not fit for every department, many departments use them and find great success.