Hi, I was just wanting to know what the true difference was between a pumper and an engine? I've asked a few people and no one can really give me an answer so if you could write back.
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Hi, I was just wanting to know what the true difference was between a pumper and an engine? I've asked a few people and no one can really give me an answer so if you could write back.
They are the same thing. Fire engine is another term for a fire pump.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term fire engine was first used in the 17th century, in exactly the same sense it has now, "a machine for throwing water to extinguish fires".(Wikipedia definition of fire engine)
It's the same piece of equipment, just in a different part of the country. The terminology tends to change with the geography. Here in the east, a large truck that hauls water is called a "tanker." Out west, it's a "tender," and a "tanker" is a large aircraft that drops retardent on wildland fires. There are many examples of dissimilar terminology like this.
With the help of google images:
This is a TANKER in Eastern 1/2 of the USA. As far as I'm concerned here in the east, a "tender" is someone who shovels coal into the boiler of a steam train.
http://www.middletownri.com/img/cont...e/Tanker-1.jpg
This is a TANKER in the western USA. Here in the east, we call this "Holy f(&*ing crap!!"
http://futurshox.net/stamp/planes/wet_c-130.jpg
A friend of mine that moved out west from here in New England made this mistake one time. Out of habit while digging a line at a small wildland fire, he radioed command saying they were going to need a tanker because they were running out of water. Whoops. :eek:
Don't forget that engines are also sometimes known as wagons
I reckon it just depends on the tradition of the department. In Kansas City, Missouri and in Kansas City, Kansas they are known as Pumpers. In Leavenworth and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas we call them Engines. In Leavenwroth Co. District 1 we refer to them as pumpers. Though not on the radio, each apparatus has its own radio number. The city pumper is known as 561. The rest of the county does it the same way. Since the county departments work together often we pretty much know what type of apparatus it is by its number. It seems everyone in this area of Kansas and Missouri refer to the water haulers as tankers, and a few of the tankers are also pumpers. Now get this one, our new apparatus on order will have a 1250 pump on it with 1250 gallons of water on board, as well as our auto extrication equipment but not enough hose to be called a pumper.
I thought the guy shoveling coal in a steam locomotive was called the fireman.Quote:
Originally Posted by nmfire
That "Holy f(&*ing crap" thing was priceless. Laughed my f(&*ing *** off. :D
About 3500 miles of Alantic Ocean.Quote:
true difference was between a pumper and an engine?
Around here, the cities call them pumpers. The rural and smaller cities call them engines. They are the same fu**ing truck. Its like water tender and tanker.
Engines are the things inside the pumper that make it go.
Also, in my little department, if it has at least 4 wheels and isn't a car or an ambulance, then it can be referred to as a "truck".
Ok. Better example, especially since we don't use steam trains anymore.Quote:
Originally Posted by LtTim556
Here on the east coast, this is a picture of four TENDERS parked next to each other!
http://www.poultry.com/img/Golden_Breaded_Tender.jpg
Obviously a big fire!
:D
Quote:
Originally Posted by nmfire
We say that too.... "go out and take the rookie through the trucks, etc, etc"
But in Detroit, if you ask an engine guy to take a look at the "truck" it doesnt go over too well. In detroit, if it don't have a big stinking ladder on top, its a rig.
Back home in Md, a Medic Unit is an ALS Ambulance and an Ambulance is a BLS Ambulance.
Around here, there are like 99% ALS units and they are all either called Squads or Life Squads, and extremely rarely...medic units.
Back in Md, this is a squad........
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...an358/RS18.jpg
In New York we call these Pansies......Quote:
Originally Posted by RFRDxplorer
First Due Engine and Truck is da job..... :D
Yep -- tender is where you keep the coal. Man I love steam engines.Quote:
Originally Posted by LtTim556
Around here a plane like that would appear to be having some kind of an emergency. Although people occasionally come out of them from there.
Another term, Stick. I hate it when i go into talking fire lingo and i have to remember that most people have no clue what a stick is.
Same damn thing, anywhere in the Area of New England you'll find the words Engine ____(insert number here).Quote:
Originally Posted by futurefireman09
Mike
P.S. You're not the only 1 who wants to be a FF, i'm too young and the city doesn't fund any recruiting anyways
Quote:
Originally Posted by nmfire
Good one, :D:D
This is called a heavy rescue where im from in the north east
Quote:
Originally Posted by RFRDxplorer
yes 4 tenders in a tender shuttle, lolQuote:
Originally Posted by nmfire