Why Airport Fire Trucks Are So Unique

A manufacturer has built thousands of the specialized trucks.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 11:40 AM ET

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Edited By: tccjeremy

An Oshkosh ARFF vehicle [Credit: Oshkosh Airport Products]

Key Takeaways:

Oshkosh Corp., headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is a leading manufacturer of specialized Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles for airports globally.
Their ARFF trucks are uniquely designed to tackle aviation accidents, featuring significantly larger water and foam capacities, powerful pumps, and advanced foam systems compared to standard municipal fire trucks.
These specialized vehicles, such as the Striker 8x8, can hold up to 4,500 gallons of water and are built for rapid deployment across various airport terrains.
Oshkosh Corp. has deployed over 5,000 Striker vehicles worldwide and is innovating with new models, including the electric Volterra ARFF truck.

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Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is perhaps best known for the annual EAA AirVenture show, which makes Whittman Regional (KOSH) the world’s busiest airport during a one-week period each July. The airshow attracts nearly a million visitors to the city each year.

But headquartered in the same region is Oshkosh Corp., which—among other functions—is a major player in fire truck manufacturing. The firm also specializes in aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) equipment with its line of specialized trucks.