City of Thornton Fire Engine 71

1999 American La France

This engine was built entirely by Freightliner/American La France.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Insurance Service Organization (ISO) require the fire department to carry a specific complement of fire fighting equipment.  The equipment is carried in the body of the engine.  At every emergency scene many tools are needed.  The Thornton Firefighters use axes, halligans, pike poles, and sledge hammers to gain access to buildings and rescue potentially trapped victims.   The chain saw and demolition saws are used to ventilate the hot smoke and gases from the structure.  A large fan called a smoke ejector pushes the poisonous smoke and gases out of the roof openings creating a safe environment for victims and firefighters. 

City of Thornton Fire Engine 72

1997 American La France

This engine is a twin to Engine 73 and like all Thornton engines carries the same basic complement of equipment.  The hose is carried in several places on the engine.  The front bumper has a car fire line that allows safe placement of the unit to protect firefighters from traffic while deploying the hose quickly.   The 1 ¾” fire attack hoses come from the center area of the truck known as the pump panel and are used to fight structure fires.  These hoses are 200’ long and allow the Thornton Firefighters to make a quick and aggressive attack from inside a structure.  The hose bed in the rear carries the 5” supply hose and additional 2 1/2” hose to support fire sprinkler systems and commercial standpipes.

 City of Thornton Fire Engine 73

1997 American LaFrance

This engine was specifically designed to meet the needs of the Thornton citizens.  Water for fire fighting is delivered from a 750-gallon tank through a 1500-gallon per minute pump.  Other engine companies hook up a supply hose from fire hydrants when the need for more water is determined.  This engine, along with all other engines in the City, is staffed with at least one paramedic and the same life saving equipment as an ambulance.  This feature allows the Fire Department to deliver advanced life support to all portions of the City.  Advanced Life Support includes the ability to read EKGs, provide emergency drug therapy, and to provide endotracheal intubation which is used for airway management.

 City of Thornton Truck 74

2004 Smeal Aerial

The truck is equipped with a 75 foot aerial device, ground ladders, fire pump, water tank, and fire hoses; thus, it is classified as a “quint.”  Having the aerial equipped with a pump allows the department the flexibility to use the apparatus as a either a truck company, engine company, or both.  By design, the aerial apparatus offers several options not available to engine companies; for instance, they offer access to roofs and upper floors out of the reach of ground ladders; and they provide a means of delivering fire attack streams where standpipe systems might not be available.  When operating as a truck company the personnel assigned perform a wide variety of duties including: forcible entry, occupant search and rescue, aerial and ground ladder placement, ventilation, and salvage. 

 City of Thornton Fire Engine 75

2002 Smeal on a Spartan Cab Chassis

This fire engine covers the northern most portions of the City and is housed at Thornton’s newest station at 140th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Engine 75 covers the largest retail center in the City along with several major highways. On any given day this unit could be called to a motor vehicle accident requiring the Thornton Firefighters to perform extrication of trapped vehicle occupants. The tool used to accomplish this task is known as “the Jaws of Life.” After access to the vehicle is gained, Fire Department Paramedics stabilize and remove the victims. Medical treatment is continued during transport to area hospitals by ground ambulance or helicopter.

City of Thornton Urban Interface

2002 Smeal

This urban interface engine is used to extinguish weed fires in the City.  It is also called an Attack Unit.  As the only four wheel drive fire engine in the City, the Attack can be taken off road and through open space trails and parks.  The Attack is more maneuverable and carries a special variety of hose to provide quick access to weed fires.  This unit also carries shovels, picks and portable extinguishing back packs.   This unit can be used as a reserve engine while other equipment is being serviced.

City of Thornton Battalion 71

1999 Chevy Suburban

The Assistant Chief responds to emergency scenes in this unit. The "Incident Command System" is used on every incident and a large part of that is the personnel accountability system. The Command car carries the supplies to account for fire personnel. The Assistant Chief also carries detectors used to monitor air quality in the event of a hazardous material incident spill or a confined space rescue.