A fire engine is a large, specially equipped truck that firefighters use to respond to fires and other emergencies. Fire engines carry powerful pumps that can spray thousands of gallons of water per minute, along with hoses, ladders, axes, and other tools firefighters need to do their jobs.

Most fire engines are painted bright red (though some departments use yellow or lime green) and have flashing lights and loud sirens to warn other drivers to move aside. They need to get through traffic quickly because in a fire, every second counts. The truck carries a crew of firefighters who ride together to the emergency, and some fire engines have tanks holding hundreds of gallons of water so they can start fighting a fire immediately while connecting to a fire hydrant.

Fire engines do more than fight fires. They respond to car accidents, medical emergencies, and situations where people are trapped or injured. The term fire engine is often used interchangeably with fire truck, though technically some fire departments use “fire engine” for trucks with pumps and “fire truck” for trucks with aerial ladders. When you hear that distinctive siren and see those flashing lights, a fire engine is rushing to help someone in need.