A Mobile Water Trailer For Fire Departments Without the Overhead
Fire departments often rely on a firefighting water truck, or fire truck, for their mobile water supply.
But when expanding their fleet, choosing between an additional truck or a mobile water trailer brings cost, staffing, approved budget, access, and long-term readiness into consideration. Fire chiefs should also consider ease of deployment and how new equipment will support and integrate with their existing fleet and infrastructure.
Mattok Manufacturing provides the Water Chief® to fire departments looking for a practical alternative to traditional trucks.
The Challenges of Fire Truck Reliance
- Steep purchasing costs: Adding another fire truck to a fire department fleet requires significant upfront investment, tying up budget that could be used for other department needs.
- Staffing and operator demands: Additional apparatus requires trained personnel, scheduling, and coordination, which can limit flexibility during active incidents.
- Routine maintenance requirements: Engines, drivetrains, and complex systems increase downtime, maintenance costs, and long-term ownership demands.
- Limited positioning flexibility: The size, weight, and maneuverability of fire trucks can restrict where they can safely operate, especially in rural areas, off-road terrain, or urban wildland interface zones.
How Water Chief Performs With Water Trucks
- Lower ownership burden: Eliminates the need for another dedicated fire truck while reducing fuel, insurance, and maintenance costs. The Water Chief® is also typically costs much less than the upfront cost of a new truck.
- No special licensing: Can be towed using existing department vehicles, such as brush trucks, without additional operator requirements.
- Durable construction: Built with a heavy-gauge steel tank and frame for repeat use in demanding emergency conditions and dedicated deployment in remote locations.
- Operational flexibility: One platform supports multiple firefighting and support applications without adding complexity to your fleet.
Water Chief Features
Simplified Deployment
Improved Positioning in the Field
Reduced Downtime and Maintenance
Expand Capacity Without Expanding Your Fleet
Not every situation requires another full-size fire truck. The Water Chief® provides additional water capacity without forcing departments to invest in or maintain another piece of apparatus. It allows departments to scale their response without overcommitting resources.
Diverse Firefighting Applications
Wildland and Urban Wildland Interface Response
Fire Watch and Standby Operations
Stage water on-site during high-risk conditions or system outages. Maintain readiness with a reliable, controlled water source that can be deployed quickly if conditions escalate.
Refilling Fire Apparatus
Quickly refill fire trucks and brush trucks in the field to reduce downtime and keep crews actively engaged in suppression efforts.
Controlled Burns and Training
Support prescribed burns and training exercises with consistent, controlled water access that helps crews manage fire behavior safely.
Equipment Cleaning and Decontamination
Wash down gear, tools, and vehicles after incidents to maintain readiness and reduce contamination risks.
Emergency Water Supply
Provide a backup water source during infrastructure failures, natural disasters, or large-scale emergency response situations. This versatility allows departments to rely on one system across multiple operational needs.
