A large piece of fire apparatus designed for ventilation, search and rescue, and elevated access. Unlike an engine, a true truck does not usually carry a water tank or hose. Instead, it features a hydraulically operated aerial ladder or platform, a large complement of ground ladders, and specialized tools for forcible entry and extrication.
Heard on the job
The fire truck needs the front of the building to deploy the aerial ladder to the roof.
Also heard as
- truck
- ladder truck
- hook and ladder
Do not mix it up with
- Fire engine: Civilians use the terms interchangeably, but insiders define a truck by its ladders and rescue tools, and an engine by its pump and water.