In structural firefighting, a tanker is a heavy apparatus designed to transport large volumes of water to rural or unhydrated fire scenes, usually carrying between 1,000 and 3,000 gallons. In wildland firefighting, the term almost exclusively refers to an air tanker dropping retardant from the sky.
Heard on the job
We need the tanker to set up a drafting operation at the end of the driveway, the nearest hydrant is two miles out.
Insider tip
The structural fire service is shifting toward calling these vehicles 'tenders' to avoid confusion with aircraft, but 'tanker' remains heavily entrenched in East Coast and rural departments.
Also heard as
- water tender
Do not mix it up with
- LAT: In wildland contexts, a tanker flies; in structural contexts, a tanker drives.