By Bill Adams

Caution: Read between the lines. Everything a department wants may not fit in one package. More importantly, it may not function as intended. This article only considers mini pumpers compliant with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, Chapter 6, Initial Attack Apparatus, with a maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 20,000 pounds.

NFPA 1901

1 This rig is typical of mini pumpers purchased during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Some eclipsed the chassis' GVWR. Prohibiting personnel from the rear step cut staffing in half. [Photo courtesy of Commissioner Bob Ockenden, Penfield (NY) Fire District.]

Chapter 6's basic requirements for an initial attack apparatus include a minimum 250-gpm pump, 200-gallon water tank, 22 cubic feet of compartmentation, and 10 cubic feet of storage space for 2½-inch or larger hose. Chapter 5, Pumper Fire Apparatus, requires a 750-gpm pump, 300-gallon water tank, almost twice the compartmentation, and three times as much space for 2½-inch or larger hose. Just because a mini pumper's pump, tank, and hosebed capacity equal a pumper's does not necessarily mean it is one. NFPA 1901's mandatory and recommended ancillary equipment varies between pumpers and initial attack apparatus. Besides physical differences, there are operational considerations purchasers should be aware of.

Mini pumpers became popular in the 1970s and remained so for about two decades; then their popularity suddenly declined. My opinion is that earlier purchasers made the mistake of attempting to replace full-size pumpers with diminutive look-alikes. It didn't work back then and may not work today. Some fire departments successfully operated mini pumpers. Others found the concept unworkable and abandoned their use. Yet others, finding them not working as intended, revised standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maximize the mini pumpers' capabilities and minimize their limitations.

Egypt (NY) Fire Department

2 3 The Egypt (NY) Fire Department's second-generation, mission-specific mini pumper was not intended to replace a full-size pumper meeting NFPA 1901 Chapter 5 or a grass fire truck. Its total in-service weight is 17,720 pounds. Add 1,300 pounds for a four-door cab and 250 pounds each for four firefighters, and the truck exceeds the 20,000-pound GVWR. (Photos 2-5 by author.)

In the mid 1980s, the Egypt (NY) Fire Department, a volunteer entity outside of Rochester, New York, operated three full-size pumpers, a ladder truck, a rescue truck, and a brush truck out of two stations. Embracing the mini pumper concept, it purchased a two-door unit to speci

Washington Fire Chiefs have sent a guiding document to Labor and Industries to provide support  to our members as they journey toward proactive compliance with the new live fire training requirements in WAC 296-305-05502.

Ward Diesel Filter Systems specializes in vehicle mounted diesel exhaust systems designed specifically for the fire and emergency service industry. This system filters exhaust both at the station and on scene to better protect personnel and community members from harmful diesel exhaust fumes.   

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