A few months ago in a issue of Firehouse magazine, a department was
showcased that had put in service a "new" type of apparatus. It was a
tandem axle engine, however it had the full function, capabilities, and
tools of a truck company without the aerial device. Some fellow
firefighters and I were talking about different apparatus today and I
remembered this article but i do not remember what this new type of
apparatus was called. I know it wasn't a quint or squad, but "quad"
does ring a bell. Does anyone remember the article or what this type
of vehicle is called??
if I remember correctly, that article was about a Quad. Now a quad definitely isn't a "new" kind of apparatus (just google quads and you should turn up numerous pistures from the 1930's thru 1950's)
A quad historically carries hose, water, a pump and ground ladders (normally much more than a standard pumper) hence the name "quad".....4 jobs, just like a "quint" had hose, water, pump, ladders and an aerial device and the old term "triple combination" pumper had hose, pump and water during the times when most apparatus were hose wagons (hose only) , steamers (could pump water only, and might only carry hard sleeves) and chemical wagons (with soda and acid tanks and booster type hose)
As Michael C. Harrison described the QUAD carries everything a Class A pumper carries (Pump, Hose, Water) but also carries from 150' to 160'+ of ground ladders. These were generally used in areas where you needed ladders, but either did not need an aerial device or elevated master stream. These fell out of favor and in general an aerial or QUINT was put in service.