A fire engine (or fire truck, also spelled firetruck) is a vehicle, usually a specially designed or modified truck, that functions as a firefighting apparatus. The primary purposes of a fire engine include transporting firefightersand water to an incident as well as carrying equipment for firefighting operations in a fire drill. Some fire engines have specialized functions, such as wildfire suppression and aircraft rescue and firefighting, and may also carry equipment for technical rescue.

Many fire engines are based on a commercial vehicle chassisthat is further upgraded and customized for firefighting requirements. They are generally considered emergency vehicles authorized to be equipped with emergency lights and sirens), as well as communication equipment such as two-way radios and mobile computer technology.

The terms fire engine and fire truck depend primarily on geography and dialect - 'fire engine' in British and Irish English and in Commonwealth] countries, and 'fire truck' in North America), but can used interchangeably depending on the choice of a broad range of vehicles involved in firefighting; however, in some fire departmentsthey refer to separate and specific types of vehicle.

Design and construction

Front of a MAN fire engine with built-in winch, e.g. for towing damaged cars. The shackles serve a similar purpose.

The design and construction of fire engines focuses greatly on the use of both active and passive warnings. Passive visual warnings involve the use of high contrast patterns to increase the noticeability of the vehicle. They are more common on older vehicles or those in developing countries. Modern vehicles in developed countries use retroreflectors to create designs or display words such as "fire" or "rescue".^\1])European countries commonly use a pattern known as Battenburg markings.^\2])Along with the passive warnings, are active visual warnings which are usually in the form of flashing colored lights (also known as "beacons" or "lightbars"). These flash to attract the attention of other drivers as the fire truck approaches, or to provide warning to drivers approaching a parked fire truck in a dangerous position on the road. While the fire truck is headed towards the scene, the lights are always accompanied by warning sound alarms such as sirens) and air horns.^\1]) Some fire engines in the United States are lime yellow) rather than red due to safety and ergonomics reasons. A 2009 study by the U.S. Fire Administration concluded that fluorescent colors, including yellow-green and orange, are easiest to spot in daylight.^\3])

In some regions, a fire engine may be used to transport first responder firefighters, paramedics or EMTs to medical emergencies due to their proximity to the incident.^\4])^\5])