To the layperson the terms “fire truck” and “fire engine” are synonymous, but their two very different things. I’ve been told by firefighters that an engine is basically a giant pump on wheels. It carries hoses of various sizes and the largest ones are used to hook the engine up to the hydrants. The smaller hoses are used by the firefighters, the appropriate sized ones for the appropriate sized fires.
A truck is a rolling tool box. It carries ladders, saws and other tools that may be used on fires but also on other emergencies such as car accidents. Every wreck is different so even though it may seem like the truck has everything for every conceivable situation, there’s still a fair amount of improvisation that goes on by the firefighters.
So if your house is on fire, a big red (or yellow in some cases) fire engine rolling up in front of your home is a welcome sight, but if you’re trapped in a car rollover then a fire truck is what you need.
