I've always found fire engines fascinating — I don't think I'm alone in this. There is something truly magnetic about the vehicles our heroes use to do their duty.
I dare say that, most likely, there is no child who has not dreamed, at least once in his life, of being a firefighter. I think this fascination is due to several factors: the colors, the lights, the perception of speed and, of course, the most beautiful mission: saving lives.
It is, however, a dream that few are able to fulfill. Being a firefighter, volunteer or professional, requires courage, resilience and humanism. Qualities that are not available to everyone. For this reason, more than enough reasons for today dedicating an article from Reason Automobile to our “soldiers of peace”. More specifically to its vehicles, the fire engines.
The initials of fire engines
All fire departments are grouped into technically organized operational units. This organization extends not only to the fire department but also to their vehicles.Subscribe to our newsletter
Depending on the missions, there are specific vehicles to meet the needs of each scenario. From transporting the sick to fighting fires, from rescues to extrication. There is a fire engine for every situation and today you will learn to read its acronyms, and thus understand what its characteristics are.
VLCI - Light Fire Fighting Vehicle
Minimum capacity of 400 liters and MTC (Total Cargo Mass) less than 3.5 t.
VFCI — Forest Fire Fighting Vehicle
Capacity between 1500 liters and 4000 liters and all-terrain chassis.
VUCI - Urban Fire Fighting Vehicle
Capacity between 1500 liters and 3000 liters.
VECI - Special Fire Fighting Vehicle
Capacity over 4000 liters, fire fighting vehicles, using special extinguishing media with or without extinguishing agents.
VSAM — Relief and Medical Assistance Vehicle
It is a pre-hospital intervention vehicle designed with equipment capable of medicalizing the First Aid system and manned by a doctor and specialized personnel, allowing the application of Advanced Life Support measures.
ABSC - Emergency Ambulance
Single stretcher vehicle with equipment and crew that allows the application of basic life support (BLS) measures, aimed at stabilizing and transporting a patient who needs assistance during transport
ABCI — Intensive Care Ambulance
Single stretcher vehicle with equipment and crew that allows the application of advanced life support (ALS) measures, aimed at stabilizing and transporting patients in need of assistance during transport. The use of the SAV equipment is the sole responsibility of a doctor, who must be part of the crew.
ABTD — Patient Transport Ambulance
Vehicle equipped to transport one or two patients on stretcher or stretcher and transport chair, for medically justified reasons and whose clinical situation does not predict the need for assistance during transport.
ABTM — Multiple Transport Ambulance
Vehicle designed to transport up to seven patients in transport chairs or wheelchairs.
VTTU — Urban Tactical Tank Vehicle
Capacity up to 16 000 liters, vehicle with 4×2 chassis equipped with fire pump and water tank.
VTTR — Rural Tactical Tank Vehicle
Capacity up to 16 000 liters, vehicle with 4×4 chassis equipped with fire pump and water tank.
VTTF — Forest Tactical Tank Vehicle
Capacity up to 16 000 liters, vehicle with all-terrain chassis equipped with fire pump and water tank.
VTGC — Large Capacity Tank Vehicle
Capacity over 16 000 liters, vehicle equipped with fire pump and water tank, which can be articulated.
VETA — Vehicle with Technical Support Equipment
Vehicle for transporting various technical/operational equipment to support relief and/or assistance operations.
VAME — Diver Support Vehicle
Vehicle intended for technical support to personnel involved in operations in an aquatic environment.
VE32 — Vehicle with Turntable
Vehicle with extensible structure in the form of a ladder, supported by a swivel base. The number in the name corresponds to the number of meters on the stairs.
VP30 — Vehicle with Turntable
Vehicle with extensible frame with basket, comprising one or more rigid telescopic, articulated or scissors mechanisms. The number in the name corresponds to the number of meters on the stairs.
VSAT — Relief Vehicle and Tactical Assistance
MTC less than or equal to 7.5 t.
VCOC — Command and Communications Vehicle
Vehicle designed for the assembly of an Operational Command Post with a transmission area and a command area.
VTTP — Tactical Personnel Transport Vehicle
Vehicle with 4×4 chassis, designed to transport operational personnel with their individual equipment.
VOPE — Vehicles for Specific Operations
Vehicle intended for special or support operations.
And fire engine numbers, what do they mean?
Above the initials of the fire engines that we have just listed, you can find four digits. These figures refer to the fire brigade to which the vehicles belong.
The first two digits indicate which district the vehicle belongs to, with the exception of Lisbon and Porto, which are governed by a different rule. The last two digits refer to the corporation to which they belong within the district.
Acknowledgment: Volunteer Firefighters of Campo de Ourique.
Source: Bombeiros.pt / Jacinto.pt / luisfigueiredo.pt