A "Q" in the fire service means a QUINT.
An engine with a pump, tank, and hose-bed is a "Triple Combination Pumper"
A triple combination pumper that has a full complement of ground ladders (straight and extension ladders) is called a QUAD, or sometimes a "city service ladder" but has mechanical NO aerial device affixed to the vehicle.
A QUINT has a pump, a tank, a hose bed, a full complement of ground ladders, and an aerial ladder device affixed to the vehicle.
What you saw in that Getty picture was a QUINT, hence the Q in the lettering.
My FF hubby agrees with your explanation. Said they came out with a QUINT so they wouldn’t have to have an engine and a ladder truck.
This is a Federal Q, but you are right about the Quint.
https://youtu.be/8c_TfvYQSXU
I once had a good friend named Kurt Quint.
Submitted for the lexicon right under Swordie's granddaughter "Pickle."
:)
Bagster
Lesser Oracle
What is the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine?
A fire truck has a ladder on top of it.