Greenville Fire/Rescue in North Carolina recently introduced a versatile new vehicle that merges the capabilities of a traditional fire engine with a fully equipped ambulance.
While the term “hybrid” is often used to describe fuel sources, in this context it refers to the rig’s multipurpose functionality. It is a custom-built pumper that allows the same crew to fight fires and provide advanced life support (ALS) transport.
Key Features of the Hybrid Rig
- Dual Functionality: The vehicle looks like a standard fire engine but features a dedicated ambulance module behind the cab.
- Medical Capabilities: It is equipped with a power-load stretcher and the same treatment tools as a standard ambulance, though it typically carries only one patient at a time.
- Firefighting Power: Despite the added medical space, it maintains a 500-gallon water tank and a 1,250-gpm pump for fire suppression.
- Efficiency: The primary goal of this “two-in-one” design is to reduce response times and lower municipal costs by allowing a single crew of three (typically an officer/paramedic, an engineer, and a firefighter) to handle both types of emergencies without switching vehicles.
Regional Updates
This initiative is part of a broader modernization of the Greenville fleet. In June 2025, the department also held a “push-in” ceremony for a new $1.3 million fire engine at Station 2 to serve the city’s busy medical district. While not every new truck is a hybrid-style pumper/ambulance, the department continues to focus on high-tech safety features and equipment that can navigate the city’s growing infrastructure.