Fire & EMS Leader Pro The job of old firefighters is to teach young firefighters how to become old firefighters!

It's probably safe to say that there are many firefighters and officers who consider the quintuple combination pumper, or the quint, to be the "centaur" of fire apparatus: part engine and part truck.

The fire service has always been an evolving business that has seen its mission and focus change in many ways over the years. Along with these changes, firefighters have developed a reputation for being adept at acquiring new skills and adapting technologies from other fields.

One of the core responsibilities for any emergency-services organization is the proper training of its personnel for safe over-the-road operation of emergency vehicles. This is especially true for fire and EMS agencies operating large trucks, such as engines, ladders and rescue rigs.