Fighting Fire Trucks (Enthusiast Color) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Thick smoke was venting from the eaves around the roof of the commercial storefront as first-due Engine 27 arrived on the scene..." (more)
Key Phrases: tanker shuttle, haz mat team, aerial device, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Everyone has seen the flashing red lights and heard the wailing sirens, but what do we really know about fire trucks? This action-packed, on-the-scene look at pumpers, aerials and tankers shows how they work and the people who operate them. The author also details specialized rescue squads like hazardous material units, high-angle rescues, swift water rescues, forest fire units and airport firefighting equipment with striking action photos that take readers to raging blazes and show the fire trucks and firefighters on the job.

About the Author

Larry Shapiro is also the author of the new MBI title Tow Trucks in Action, Pumpers: Workhorse Fire Engines, and Special Police Vehicles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: MBI (May 23, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760305951
• ISBN-13: 978-0760305959
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #951,028 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A feast for the eyes of any fire truck enthusiast!, October 16, 1999

By A Customer

I recommend this book to anyone who even likes fire trucks a little bit. It has over 85 awesome color pics of all different kinds of fire trucks in every color imaginible. I especially enjoyed the section on special units. Also, there are sidebars covering such topics as quints and squad companies. Also, if you like this book, be sure to check out "Fire Trucks In Action" by George Hall- They're both great books!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read About Fighting and Saving Vehicles, March 2, 2001

By	Peter (Michigan, United States) - See all my reviews

The title is actually a misnomer. This book isn't all about fire pumpers and ladder trucks but also contains great information about Rescue, Support (lighting, air resupply, generators), Airport crash trucks, Tankers, and Command and Control trucks. The last section talks about the colors and "decorative appearance" of trucks in different cities.

I find this book a wonderful all-around reference to the above vehicles. The book contains photos and info on the best of the breed of tankers, support, rescue, etc. The author went to the large cities and basically "peeked into the firehouse" to see what they have and what they used it for.

Methods and procedures are discussed such as how to hook up hoses to hydrants, drive to the scene, and conduct firefighting or rescue operations to name a few.

The author was also there for many major fires and rescue work in several cities so the photos are taken at great "frontline" angles and not behind some crowd. Also, the captions are specific and describes what the photo shows and is about. It's not "Four rescue trucks at a downtown accident," BUT "This is a pretty rare scene where four out of five NYFD rescue trucks show up for the construction accident. You can see the debris lying on the street in the background. One person was killed in this accident."

The best part I find is the explanations. As I read, I have questions which the author seems to predict and answer. Do tankers run to the water source with lights and sirens? Why does some cities run ladders and others towers? Do cities paint their trucks orange? Why don't firemen ride standing on the rear bumper? Why do rural towns have better vehicles than large cities? All these questions the author answered.

Highly recommend for the fire vehicle and modeler fan. A great book to learn both from text, photos, and quotes.