The fire truck is one of the most iconic vehicles out there. Fire trucks were first introduced in the 19th century in the form of horse drawn fire pumps. The first self-propelled steam-driven fire truck was built in New York in 1841, and by 1905, gas-engine firetrucks began to make their appearance. Back in those days, there weren’t many places for firefighters to sit on the fire truck, leaving many to hang onto the sides. Today, things have changed drastically, and modern fire trucks are marvels of modern technology.
What can students of automotive technology expect from today’s fire trucks? Continue reading to discover four of the coolest fire truck features to be found.
1. Students in an Automotive Technology Course Will Love The Unimog’s Off-roading Capabilities
Students in an automotive technology course might know that the Unimog fire truck is manufactured by German automaker Mercedes-Benz. It can get anywhere, regardless of terrain, and it can do it fast. The Unimog’s unique off-roading capabilities make sure the vehicle can bring water anywhere that it needs to be. For example, the remote Vatopedi monastery on Mount Athos in Greece cannot be accessed by land. It is often threatened by forest fires, which is why its monks have opted for a Unimog fire truck. The Unimog is also a favourite in disaster zones, due to its ability to get through rough terrain.
In addition to its off-roading capabilities, the truck features two cannons that can shoot both foam and water. The truck can also be loaded with about 5,000 liters of water and 400 liters of foam in order to really show the fire who is boss.
2. The Stinger’s “Stinger” Might Impress Students Taking an Automotive Technology Course
The Stinger fire truck was designed specifically to be in operation at airports. Currently, it’s in operation at several airports around the world, including the Victoria International Airport in Victoria, BC. With the help of a 6.7 L Power Stroke® V8 turbo diesel engine, this massive fire truck can carry 1,500 litres of foam, 500 pounds of flame-killing dry chemical, and 11,350 litres of water. But where the truck really becomes special is in its ability to pierce an airplanes’ body in order to spray inside. The Stinger gets its name from a piercing “sting” fitted onto the truck, which has the power to pierce through airplanes to put out fires.
Check out the video below to watch the Stinger in action.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr5biqQQAVI]
3. Students In Automotive Technology Courses Will Blink Twice At The Pozhtechnika
This may be the most powerful water shooting fire truck of them all. The Pozhtechnika can shoot 150 litres of water per second, which means it could fill a whole Olympic sized swimming pool in under six hours. For comparison, it takes a regular water hose over 40 days to do the same. This fire truck is a monster, weighing in at 19 tons. It can even be totally controlled via remote at a distance of up to 1,000 kilometers. Unfortunately, though, it can only move at the slow pace of three kilometres per hour, making it the slowest fire truck on our list.
4. Students In Automotive Technology Courses Might See a Few Local Trucks Too
Closer to home, students taking automotive technology training in Toronto might know that local fire departments house some pretty impressive fire trucks too. The E-One Typhoon, for example, comes with either a Cummings ISL 370 HP, an ISL 400 HP, or an ISL 450 HP engine. It also boasts several other features like a galvanized frame to protect the truck from harsh elements.
Want to discover how an automotive technology program in Toronto can help you understand how to modify and fix vehicles?
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