Water Tender

A water tender, also known as a tanker in some regions, is a specialized firefighting apparatus designed for transporting water from a water source to a fire scene. Water tenders are capable of drafting water from a stream, lake or hydrant.

This class of apparatus does not necessarily have enough pumping capacity to power large hose lines (like a fire engine), though it utilizes a smaller pump to draft from bodies of water. Water tenders are used when there is not a working fire hydrant within reach of other fire equipment, or a water tender gives a possibility to supply the fire engine(s) with a very rapid connection. Most water tenders are designed to carry loads of 1000 gallons (approx. 3800 litres) or more. In the US, 1000 gallons is the requirement in the NFPA standards. Some may carry up to or even upwards of 5000 gallons (approx. 19,000 litres) of water – with a trailer even more.

Typically water tenders support engines and/or trucks like aerials in fires. Water tenders can be used also in chemical accidents, to clean highways after collisions, or pump water in floods. Some water tenders carry fire fighting equipment and crew resembling more an engine. These water tenders are able to operate relatively independently. As the most ultimate solutions some water tenders really combine a fire engine and water tender. This kind of unit may have seats for up to six firefighters, a water tank of more than 3000 gallons (approx. 11 000 litres), and basic equipment for fire fighting and rescue. This kind of solution is known, for example, in rural areas, where a fire engine (with rescue equipment) and water tender are supported by a combined fire engine/water tender unit in overlapping fires or accidents. Numerous wildland water tenders have remotely-controlled nozzles mounted on the front bumper to allow the rig to drive alongside a fire or smoldering area and efficiently wet it down without the crew leaving the rig. Very light water tenders are sometimes used in wildfires. For example, a small tank of 265 gallons (1000 litres) has been carried by a cross-country vehicle to extinguish smoldering stubs on rough terrain.

A water tender carries typically also some fire fighting equipment. There are various national standards and recommendations on equipment to be carried on water tenders. Some water tenders may carry various kind of hoses and spray nozzles utilized in forest, building, or industrial fires, as well as a portable water tank. In addition, tools like axe, flashlights, chemical portable fire extinguishers, a water extinguisher, a SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus), a first aid kit, adapters, and a hydrant wrench can be required.

Some tenders carry also foaming agents, and extinguishing powders or gases. Sometimes these materials are carried in larger amounts on very specialized, separate units like hose trucks, powder trucks, carbon dioxide extinguishing trucks etc. Specialized Airport Crash Tenders are used at airports to carry larger amounts of water and foaming agents.

An Australian Water Tender can range from a standard fire engine, with a larger-than-usual capacity (usually called a tanker), to a Water Tender equipped with specialty equipment such as fixed monitors and long-throw foam nozzles (usually called a Bulk Water Carrier). Several areas also own converted semi-trailer fuel tankers, capable of holding many thousands of litres of petrol, foam or other retardant. These are most often used in severe HazMat situations, such as oil refinery fires or fuel tanker accidents, where a large and continuous volume of water is needed.

In Britain, a water tender is the main appliance for fighting fires. They are specifically designed to fight fires with a secondary role of rescues. They have a crew of 4/5, an officer, a driver and 2/3 firefighters.