Austin, Tx Fire/Rescue

[hansinoman]

[quote name='Ladder 68' post='282498' date='Feb 16 2009, 16:41 ']Whats the story with a 2nd Engine Co. from Station #1? What is the reasoning and how does a Quint Co. vs Truck Co. factor in?



Thanks in advance.[/quote]



Larry, when I shot all of Austin for FAJ several years back, Engine 1, Engine 50, and Ladder 1 ran out of that station. As far as I know all three companies are still quartered there, although "Ladder 1" later became "Truck 1", and now apparently "Quint 1". The last time I shot anything there was about three years ago and both Engines were there. They run two engines out of that house simply because of the call volume in the downtown Austin area. I think a Batt Chief and an ambulance are also quartered there.



Several years ago Dallas had a similar set up at Station 18 when they ran Engine 18, Engine 88, and Truck 18 out of that house. They no longer do, and there are few if any departments in the DFW area that run two engines and a truck out of the same house. If anyone has an old photo of Dallas Engine 88 I'd like to see it.



The term "Quint" being used to replace the term "Truck" has grown in popularity in the DFW area, especially around Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Fort Worth actually uses "Trucks" and "Quints", but Arlington over the past few years has phased out the "Truck" terminology in favor of "Quint", partly because they no longer use traditional truck company apparatus. I suspect the same goes for Austin.