What is a Fire Department Command Vehicle?

A fire department command vehicle is special. It helps fire chiefs and leaders do their job. These trucks are key to how fire teams work at a fire. Let’s learn all about them!

What is a Command Vehicle?

A command vehicle is a special truck that fire chiefs use. It is like the brain of the fire team when they are at a fire. The command vehicle helps the chief tell everyone what to do. It has tools and tech to help make good choices fast.

Command Fire Truck units are not the big red fire trucks most people think of. They are smaller but still very important.

Types of Command Vehicles

There are different kinds of command vehicles:

Big Command Units

• Look like big RVs or buses
• Have lots of tech and tools
• Used for big fires and disasters
• Can help many teams work together

Mid-Size Command Vehicles

• Often SUVs like Chevrolet Tahoes
• Used by battalion chiefs
• Can get to fires fast
• Have room for maps and radios

Small Command Vehicles

• May be vans or small trucks
• Get to the fire quick
• Have just the key tools needed
• Cost less than big units

Key Features of Command Vehicles

Command vehicles have special things that make them work well:

• Lights to be seen at night
• Radios to talk to all fire teams
• Maps and computers to plan
• Work space for the chief to think
• Storage for gear and tools

Real Examples of Command Vehicles

Look at these real command vehicles being used today:

Department	Vehicle Type	Special Features
Englewood Cliffs FD	2023 Chevrolet Tahoes	FastPlex touchscreens, big storage, bright lights
Fremont, CA	Pierce® Velocity™	Used by both fire and police, funded by grant

How Command Vehicles Help at Fires

Command vehicles make fire teams work better. Here’s how:

1. They give the chief a quiet place to think
2. They help keep track of all firefighters
3. They have maps of the area
4. They can talk to all teams at once
5. They keep the chief safe while still at the fire

Emergency Fire Rescue Truck units work with command vehicles at big fires.

Safety Facts About Command Vehicles

Safety is very important for command vehicles:

• Bright lights make them 70% more visible at night
• Good warning systems cut down on crashes by 40%
• Special setups help chiefs stay safe while still being at the fire
• Many new vehicles use hybrid power to save fuel

Command Vehicle Tech

Modern command vehicles have cool tech:

• Touch screens to see maps
• Cameras to see the whole fire
• WiFi to send pictures and plans
• Satellite links when cell phones don’t work
• Weather tools to know if wind will change

How Fire Departments Get Command Vehicles

Getting a new command vehicle can be hard:

• They can be expensive
• Grants are hard to get (less than 5% success)
• Most departments need to save up
• Some use old police cars fixed up with fire gear
• 70% follow special safety rules when buying

Communication Fire Truck units show how tech helps command teams.

Command Vehicle Uses Beyond Fires

Command vehicles don’t just help at fires. They also help with:

• Car crashes on big roads
• Floods and storms
• Big events like concerts
• Search for lost people
• Training new firefighters

Inside a Command Vehicle

Let’s look inside a command vehicle:

• Front: Driver and chief seats, radio
• Middle: Work desk, maps, computers
• Back: More storage, sometimes a small meeting space
• Outside: Lights, sometimes a pull-out desk

Top Command Vehicle Brands

These companies make good command vehicles:

• Pierce – Makes big command trucks
• Chevrolet – The Tahoe is used a lot
• Ford – Makes the F-150 and Explorer for chiefs
• Mercedes – Some use Sprinter vans

Command Vehicles Around the World

Different places use different command vehicles:

• USA: Often SUVs with lots of tech
• Europe: Smaller vans with high-tech tools
• Asia: Mix of cars and small trucks
• Australia: Rugged trucks for bush fires

How to Tell a Command Vehicle

You can spot a command vehicle by:

• White, red, or white and red color
• Lots of lights on top
• Chief or Command written on it
• Not carrying water hoses
• Smaller than big fire trucks
• Antennas for radios

The Future of Command Vehicles

Command vehicles are changing:

• More electric and hybrid power
• Better tech to see the fire
• Drones that work with the command truck
• Smarter maps that update in real time
• Better ways to talk to other teams

Summary

Fire department command vehicles are key to fighting fires well. They give chiefs the tools, space, and tech to make good choices. From big trucks to small SUVs, each type helps fire teams work better and stay safer.

Command vehicles may not spray water on fires, but they help make sure the trucks that do are in the right place at the right time!