Apparatus Gallery
The Ventura County Fire Department operates a variety of vehicles to accomplish its missions. Many of them are very visible and familiar; others are unique with specialized capabilities and functions.
All VCFD fire stations have a staffed Fire Engine in service. At strategic fire stations throughout the county, the VCFD staffs a Fire Truck along with an engine. All VCFD engines and trucks carry basic life support (BLS) equipment allowing firefighters to provide emergency medical care. All VCFD firefighters are certified to at least the level of an emergency medical technician (EMT). Specialized vehicles such as Paramedic Squads or Rescue Engines are in service at some Ventura County fire stations.
The two most basic pieces of firefighting apparatus are the fire engine and the fire truck. Although many people use the terms interchangeably, the two vehicles are, in fact, very different, and each performs a different function for the fire department. Attacking the fire is the primary purpose of a fire engine. Supporting the fire attack crew, as they extinguish the fire, is the primary purpose of a fire truck.
The VCFD also maintains other pieces of specialized apparatus at certain fire stations throughout the county. The on-duty crew at the station will staff and operate these specialized units when needed.
Here is a list of Unit abbreviations used in our PulsePoint Active Calls feed.
Click on the photos below to learn more about the apparatus in our fleet.