Firefighting Tanker trucks and Tenders: A Fire Apparatus Photo Gallery
Firefighting Tanker trucks and Tenders: A Fire Apparatus Photo Gallery
ITEM E544
By John H. Rieth
Tanker trucks, also known as tenders, are used by more than 65% of all fire departments across America. Early tankers were converted from oil, fuel, milk, or chemical tank trucks. Some of these converted units were semi or tractor-trailer trucks, others were smaller, local oil or milk delivery trucks. Large fire apparatus manufacturers started to manufacture water tanker fire trucks in the late 1950s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that custom-made water tankers became popular.
Shown are tankers by all the major and minor fire apparatus manufacturers and regional builders, among conversions built by local shops. Included are tankers from Mack, Ford, GMC, Chevy, International, White, Brockway, Diamond T & Reo, Autocar, Kenworth, Peterbuilt, Freightliner, Volvo, UD, Marmom, Western Star, Crane Carrier Corp., FWD, Oshkosh, AMC, and others.
Softbound, 160 pages, 350 photos, 8.5'' x 11''
Fires sometimes occur in areas that lack water. Billed as “A Fire Apparatus Photo Gallery,” this heavily illustrated volume surveys tanker trucks and tenders that “provide mobile water supply.” At the time the book was written, most fire departments in the East used the term “tanker” while those in the West used “tender.” An informative three-page introduction acquaints readers with this category of fire apparatus. The book offers an impressive 349 black-and-white photos—offered two to three per page—with informative captions ranging up to more than 50 words. Each chapter includes a one-page overview to highlight the equipment featured. Chapter 1: Converted Tankers offers 83 photos covering equipment initially used by oil, gasoline, and milk haulers and converted for fire department use. Chapter 2: Tanker-Pumpers (Fire Service Built) provides 91 photos to illustrate a variety of tanker and pumper combinations. Chapter 3: Tractor-Trailers has 87 photos of units created to supply large quantities of water to fight a fire. Chapter 4: Pumper-Tankers features 88 photos that illustrate pumpers that also included water tanks. An array of notable manufacturers including Autocar, Kenworth, Freightliner, FWD, Mack, and Ford adds to the book’s appeal.
Book Review by Robert Gabrick
