What is the difference between a fire engine and a fire truck?
A fire engine is designed to carry 500 gallons water and pump water from a hydrant. Generally 1500 gallons per minute.

A fire truck is designed to carry ladders, special rescue equipment, and other special fire fighting equipment along with an elevating ladder. San Marcos operates three fire engines. We also operate three quints. A quint is like a fire truck in that it carries an elevating ladder and all of the equipment of a fire truck, but also carries up to 500 gallons of water and can pump water from the hydrant like a fire engine. A quint can do the job of both. Quints are much more expensive than an engine or truck.

Show All Answers

1. How do I get information about a call / incident that the fire department responded to?
2. Where do I submit fire plans / fire alarm systems / fire sprinklers?
3. Who do I contact with a code enforcement / code compliance question?
4. What is the Fire Marshal's phone number / contact information?
5. Are there always firefighters at the fire station?
6. What kind of work schedule does a firefighter have?
7. What is a fire apparatus?
8. Why does a fire apparatus respond to auto accidents?
9. Why does a fire apparatus respond with an ambulance on medical calls?
10. Are all fire apparatus's staffed with medically trained personnel?
11. Why do I see fire trucks at the grocery store or at other stores?
12. What is the difference between a fire engine and a fire truck?
13. How many firefighters respond to an incident call?
14. How do I request a fire station tour or demonstration event?
15. What is an ISO rating?
16. What does it mean when my smoke alarm chirps?
17. How can I become a firefighter?
18. How can I become a EMT-Paramedic?
19. Is the San Marcos Fire Department hiring?