New York City Fire Department - Apparatus - Types of Apparatus

Types of Apparatus

Some apparatus types are indicated using color-coded patches emblazoned with company numbers on the front of firefighters' helmets.

• Engine (fire helmet front color: black) is the basic firefighting apparatus. Its main job is to put water on the fire. It is responsible for securing a water supply from a hydrant or some other form and for suppressing the fire.
• Ladder (fire helmet front color: red; also called a Truck): The FDNY operates three types—the 100' Rear Mounted Aerial Ladder, Tractor Drawn Aerial Ladder, and the Tower Ladder. FDNY operates 75' and 95' Tower ladder models. These are the ladders where a bucket is mounted on the end of a ladder for firefighters to stand in.
• Squad (fire helmet front color: yellow) is a company that responds as a rescue engine, making it the most versatile company the FDNY offers. Members are trained in every aspect of firefighting, specialty rescue and hazardous material mitigation, with exception of SCUBA where their role is to support the Rescue company. The members of a Squad company receive a 12% hazardous material specialty pay.
• Rescue (fire helmet front color: blue) is considered the most elite company within the FDNY community. Its main responsibilities include search and rescue, special rescues, technical rescues, confined space rescues, and high angle rescues and SCUBA. Also trained as Hazardous Material Technicians, the members of a rescue company are included in an extra 12% specialty pay.
• Battalion is a command vehicle tasked with the responsibility of delivering a Battalion Chief to the fire scene. Once on the fire scene, the vehicle then takes on the role of a Command Vehicle, utilizing its radios and MDT equipment.
• Division is a command vehicle tasked with the responsibility of delivering a Division (Deputy) Chief to the fire scene. Once on the fire scene, the vehicle then takes on the role of a Command Vehicle, utilizing its radios and MDT equipment.
• Marine or Fireboat is a specialized boat outfitted specifically for firefighting capabilities. Its responsibilities include suppression of all fires that occur on water, such as boat fires, pier fires, etc. A Marine Unit also assists land based companies with securing a water supply, as they have the ability to "draft" water from the rivers they operate in.
• Haz-Mat vehicle is a vehicle that has been outfitted with special equipment to allow for the confinement, containment, suppression, and/or any other problem involving hazardous materials. Members of the Haz-Mat company are paid an extra 12% in specialty pay.
• Mask Service Unit is a vehicle that is equipped with an SCBA replenishing system. In other words, these vehicles have the ability to re-fill the air bottles used by firefighters to breathe in a fire.
• RAC or Recuperation And Care vehicle is specially outfitted with equipment that will enable it to provide rehabilitation to firefighters on a fireground.
• Field Communications Unit is a vehicle that is specially equipped with communication equipment such as telephones, broadband internet, and mobile radios. Its main responsibility is to provide communication support to the on scene Incident Commander.
• Tactical Support Unit (or TSU) is a 4x4 vehicle equipped with generators and a variety of high intensity lights to aid firefighters during low light conditions. In addition, specialized equipment such as extrication tools and a six person Avon boat is also carried.
• Thawing Unit The Thawing Units are vehicles that carry a portable steam-generating boiler; its super-heated steam melts the ice off of hoses, ladders and vehicles.
• Brush Fire Unit is a four-wheel-drive, all-terrain vehicle used to reach hilly, remote and marshy areas to extinguish fires involving weeds, grass and other vegetation. Along with regular firefighting equipment, it carries its own water, as well as rakes, shovels, and backpack extinguishers.
• Ambulance The New York City Fire Department staffs EMT-Basic and Paramedic Ambulances to provide emergency medical services to the city of New York. These are commonly referred to by the slang term bus.
• Haz-Tac Ambulance 36 EMS units, known as the Hazardous Material Tactical Units (Haz-Tac Ambulances), are trained to the Haz Mat Technician level allowing them to provide emergency medical care and decontamination in a hazardous environment, in addition to their normal 911 duties.
• Rescue Medic is an ALS, or Paramedic ambulance that are trained to the Haz Mat Technician level and also trained as Rescue Technicians, the members of a rescue medic units are included in an extra 12% specialty pay.
• EMS Conditions Unit is a vehicle that is assigned to an Emergency Medical Service supervisor. An Emergency Medical Service supervisor oversees ambulances within his or her assigned area.

• EMS MERV is a vehicle that is assigned to all major medical emergencies within its borough. The Major Emergency Response Vehicle is capable of treating multiple patients at a time.
• EMS LSU is a vehicle assigned to all medical emergencies that have multiple patients. The Logistical Support Unit carries a surplus of certain medical supplies used at MCI's, this unit is also responsible for going to retrieve spinal immobilization equipment from area hospitals.