Fire Truck vs. Airport Fire Truck: What’s the Big Difference?

Have you ever seen a bright green truck zoom past on an airport runway? That’s not your regular fire truck! It’s a special airport fire truck. Let’s look at what makes these two types of trucks different.

What Is a Fire Truck?

A fire truck is a big red truck that helps put out fires and save people. These trucks go to houses, buildings, and car crashes to help. Emergency Fire Rescue Trucks come in many shapes and sizes to fight different kinds of fires.

What Is an Airport Fire Truck?

An airport fire truck has a special name – Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting truck (ARFF). These trucks are made to help at airports when planes have problems. They can put out big fuel fires and help people get out of planes safely. Foam Fire Trucks are often used at airports because they work best on fuel fires.

Key Differences Between Fire Trucks

Let’s look at the main ways these trucks are different:

Color Differences

Truck Type	Color	Why This Color?
Regular Fire Truck	Red	Easy to see, tradition
Airport Fire Truck	Bright Green/Yellow	FAA rules say this color must be used so pilots can see them in fog

What They’re Made to Do

Truck Type	Main Job	Special Features
Regular Fire Truck	Fight building fires, help in crashes	Water tanks, ladders, rescue gear
Airport Fire Truck	Fight airplane fuel fires	Foam systems, can drive very fast to reach planes

Inside the Truck

Truck Type	Inside Design	Who Rides Inside
Regular Fire Truck	Big cab for many firefighters	Carries many firefighters to the fire
Airport Fire Truck	Control cab for fewer people	Driver can work fire systems while driving

Fire Fighting Tools

Truck Type	Main Tool	How Much It Carries
Regular Fire Truck	Water	Depends on truck size
Airport Fire Truck	Special foam	Large amounts to cover fuel fires (planes are 40% fuel by weight!)

Why Are Airport Fire Trucks So Special?

Airport fire trucks are built differently because:

1. They need to be very fast – they must get anywhere on the airport in 90 seconds
2. They fight fuel fires, not building fires
3. They use foam to put a blanket over burning fuel
4. They must be seen easily by pilots in bad weather

Market Growth for Airport Fire Trucks

The world needs more airport fire trucks as more airports are being built. Here are some facts:

• The global airport fire truck market will reach $331.74 million by 2033
• The market is growing at 6.3% each year
• China plans to build 200 new airports by 2035
• India is spending over $11 billion on new airports

Special Features on Airport Fire Trucks

Airport fire trucks have cool features that regular fire trucks don’t have:

• Foam systems that can spray thick foam to cover burning jet fuel
• Special pumps that work while the truck is moving
• Off-road tires to drive on grass or dirt around runways
• One-person operation so the driver can spray foam while driving

Response Standards

Truck Type	How Fast Must Respond	Rules Made By
Regular Fire Truck	No strict time limit	Local fire departments
Airport Fire Truck	Must control fire in 3 minutes	FAA has strict rules

Examples of Airport Fire Trucks

Different airports use different trucks:

• Small airports use smaller trucks like the Airwolf C2
• Large airports that handle big planes like A380s need at least 3 large trucks like the Oshkosh Striker 8×8
• Dubai International Airport has 6 Striker trucks for its many large planes

Cost Differences

Truck Type	Cost Range	Why So Expensive?
Regular Fire Truck	$500,000-$1,500,000	Basic firefighting gear
Airport Fire Truck	$2,000,000-$5,000,000	Special foam systems, blast protection

Did You Know?

Fun facts about these special trucks:

• Airport buildings have sprinkler systems, so airport fire trucks don’t fight fires inside terminal buildings
• Airport fire truck drivers need special training to handle airplane emergencies
• The bright green color of airport fire trucks is called “safety green” or “lime-yellow”

When Would You See These Trucks?

You might see a regular Emergency Rescue Fire Truck in your town helping with:

• House fires
• Building fires
• Car crashes
• Medical emergencies

You would see an airport fire truck:

• At airports (of course!)
• During airplane emergencies
• During practice drills on runways
• Standing by when planes land with problems

Training for Drivers

People who drive these trucks need different training:

• Regular fire truck drivers learn about buildings and streets
• Airport fire truck drivers learn about planes, runways, and airplane fuel

What’s Inside These Trucks?

Regular Fire Trucks Have:

• Hoses and water pumps
• Ladders
• Tools to cut people out of cars
• Medical supplies
• Axes and tools to break into buildings

Airport Fire Trucks Have:

• Special foam tanks and sprayers
• Tools to cut into airplanes
• Thermal cameras to see through smoke
• Long spray nozzles to reach into planes
• Special radios to talk to the control tower

Which Truck Is Better?

Neither truck is “better” – they are made for different jobs! It’s like asking if a hammer is better than a screwdriver. They each do what they’re made to do.

Summary

Now you know the big differences between regular fire trucks and airport fire trucks! They look different, they work different, and they fight different kinds of fires. Next time you’re at an airport, look for those bright green trucks and remember their special job!

High-Pressure Fire Trucks are another special type that can be used in both settings when needed.