GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Engine 33, a specifically designed apparatus for the Gatlinburg Fire Department, was recently received and put into service.
Uniquely designed for Gatlinburg, this 2023 pumper manufactured by Pierce Custom Fire Truck, is equipped with major features to help join the Department’s fleet of Wildland Urban Interface vehicles.
“This Engine was specially designed by the Department to mitigate fires in Gatlinburg, specifically the wildland fires in mountainous terrain we have in the area,” Gatlinburg Fire Chief Charlie Cole said. “This is currently the only truck in the southeastern United States with these features that is in service.”
Engine 33 allows Gatlinburg Fire Department crews to use features on the truck without exiting the cab, including several features specific to this specific apparatus. On the front and rear of the apparatus are mounted sprayers, which aim at the ground in order to wet the surface.
“These sprayers will create a path that is wet to enter or exit in dangerous conditions,” Chief Cole said. “Many instances in wildland fires, roads traveled by our crews can be overtaken by fire, so these can be used to roll the truck on wet ground and give our firefighters an entrance or an exit.”
On the front end of the Engine is a turret gun sprayer, which will move 360 degrees, allowing water to be sprayed in any direction. Firefighters can maneuver the gun via a control device located inside the cab. Engine 33 is also four-wheel drive and has 22.5-inch wheels, enabling it to navigate the mountainous terrain of the Gatlinburg area.
Engine 33 is also equipped with cameras on the front and rear of the truck, with monitors in the cab of the apparatus, which will allow visibility for crew members inside to operate the weepers and the turret gun sprayer.
“We are confident that this investment will enable us to better serve the Gatlinburg community,” Chief Cole said.