Heavy Rescues

Reserve Heavy Rescue 51 at TVF&R Station 53

Heavy rescues, or squads, carry advanced rescue equipment and are the first to respond to any rescue call. They carry gurneys, the "jaws of life,"giant air bags and wood for propping up heavy objects like cars and trucks, and even diamond chainsaws for cutting concrete. Even though they are designated as a truck, they actually have a small pump that can carry 300 gallons of water. I know that sounds like a lot of water, but it's really only enough to put out a small fire, such as a car fire. Heavy rescues come in lots of different shapes and sizes. They can be as small as an engine as big as a ladder truck and every thing in between. The interior can look different as well. Walk-in rescues have a room in the back that connects to the cab. This room can hold extra seats, communication equipment and/or a command center. Non walk-ins carry more space for tools and equipment. Some rigs can even be both! They have a small command center behind the cab, and lots of space for equipment. They are huge!

Rescue supplies on reserve heavy rescue 51

This heavy rescue is designed as a tiller. Like the tiller ladder truck, this rig works as a tractor-trailer. But it doesn't have a ladder. Instead, it carries a giant boom crane that can lift heavy debris like cars and rubble. There are only two of these in the world.

Squad 12 at PF&R Station 12

View from the tiller cabin on squad 12