The destructive power of fires, no matter whether they were a natural disaster or arose as a result of human negligence, always led a person to awe. Since the time of the first wooden cities, the fight against fire has been one of the main directions of our own and public safety. If at the dawn of the development of the first states and large settlements, this element was fought "by the whole world", then over time special services began to appear.
For hundreds of centuries, fire fighting equipment and equipment have changed their appearance and functionality. We’ll talk about one of the main attributes of this security service - vehicles. The fire truck is perhaps the most striking symbol of the special forces.
The beginning of the story
In Russia, the first fire fighting units appeared in the 16th century, under Tsar Ivan the Terrible (Ivan V). However, they became an official service only in the middle of the XVII century, since it was then that the corresponding Decree was signed, signed by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. The first attempt (worth mentioning, very successful) to regulate the work of the fire-fighters was the “Table of Ranks”.
As for the use of fire fighting equipment, the first device was a primitive pump, which could supply water to the place of ignition. It was she who made it possible to greatly increase the efficiency and speed of the quenching. The increase in the area of ancient cities required the complexity of the design and increase its mobility. Tanks with water and pumps supplying it, "put on wheels." Such designs were moved with the help of horses.
When and by whom was the first fire engine invented? In response to this question, sources provide various data. Some mention the American Paul Hodge, who presented in 1841 a steam car for fire extinguishing teams. Others give the palm to designer Moses Cincinnati, who also lived in the United States. His fire truck was introduced to the townspeople in 1851. As for domestic developments, they are a little "late". The first Russian fire engine was released only in 1904.
Over the next decades, engineers to develop equipment for special units began a rapid race to create a more advanced and functional special vehicle. Fire engines, photos of which are easy to find on the Internet, have come a long way. Today it is entire complexes that allow you to transport tons of water, connect to the water supply system in place, evacuate people from high-rise buildings , etc.
There are several types of transport, united by the concept of "fire engine". Most often, it is a tank truck equipped with a pump that delivers pressurized water and fire hoses. It is capable of transporting up to 4 tons of water, and also has a reservoir for creating a foam solution.
Special vehicles are more complex mobile systems that are used to carry out additional work when extinguishing complex fires (high-altitude, fires at hazardous enterprises, etc.). Among them are cars to remove smoke from the premises, mobile stairs, cars to maintain communication between units. Auxiliary transport ensures uninterrupted operation of fire brigades, refueling, and makes necessary equipment repairs.