New 'Quint' Firetrucks Draw Controversy

(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) -- A dispute has erupted in the Memphis area over whether or not the new firetrucks, nicknamed "quints", are efficient enough to replace current firetrucks.

The "quint" gets its name from the fact that it has five functions in one truck, as opposed to older models that do not have five function capabilities. The five functions include a ladder truck, a pumper, fire hoses, aerial devices, and a water tank, The Commercial Appeal reports.

The Memphis Fire Department is switching quality for quantity, decomissioning older trucks to make room for the new quints. The Fire Director, Alvin Benson says that decommissioning old trucks will allow the reserve to be built up. Benson says their current reserve is "below standard," the paper reports.

According to the paper, firefighters disagree and say that they are concerned with the enormity of the truck. "One quint is already damaged," says Larry Anthony, President of the Memphis Firefighters Association. "They were training on it and they bottomed out, exiting a parking lot."

The paper reports that while Memphis continues in it's movement for new quints, other cities are backing away from them, including St. Louis. Dennis Jeckerson, fire chief in St. Louis, says that lighter vehicles are more effective and elicit a more efficient response.

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