Earlier this month, the Knoxville Fire Department deployed its newest quint, its fourth citywide – so named because this piece of firefighting equipment boasts five features and can handle the work load of multiple vehicles.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, Mayor Indya Kincannon will join Fire Chief Stan Sharp and Station 21 firefighters in officially christening the Fire Department’s newest firefighting vehicle.

Following a decades-old firefighter tradition, the pumper that’s being replaced will be used to ceremoniously spray down the incoming state-of-the-art quint.

The 2020 Pierce Enforcer Quint cost more than $1 million and took eight weeks to be built in Appleton, Wisc.

“It’s crucial to have the right firefighting equipment available in the right place at the right time,” Mayor Kincannon said. “Our KFD professionals will put this newest vehicle to good use in making Knoxville safer.”

The quint will be housed at Station 21, 245 Perimeter Park Road, replacing a 1990s model pumper.

Quints are currently in use in East Knoxville at Station 4 (2300 Linden Ave.), in Northwest Knoxville at Station 17 (4804 Western Ave.) and in South Knoxville at Station 10 (2911 Sevier Ave.).

Quints feature an aerial ladder, a booster tank, a fire pump, ground ladders and attack lines. 

“The addition of a fourth quint bolsters our aerial firefighting capabilities,” Chief Sharp said. “Each quint is strategically located to optimize our ability to effectively respond to emergencies.”

The newest quint’s aerial ladder extends 75 feet up. Its tank holds 500 gallons of water, and it can pump 2,000 gallons per minute.

To request language translation services at Wednesday’s christening, contact Diversity and Inclusion Officer Tatia M. Harris at [email protected] or 865.215.2831. For disability accommodations, contact City ADA Coordinator Stephanie Brewer Cook at [email protected] or 865.215.2034.