A Water Tender Ladder is the traditional red fire engine, and the basic firefighting unit.

Depending on the model, these appliances carry between 1,350 and 1,800 litres of water and carry a set of ladders ranging from 5.4m, 10.5m and 13.5m lengths. They are fitted with either 2,700 1pm or 3,600 1pm pumps, complete with an integral foam system.

They carry road traffic collision rescue kit, four sets of breathing apparatus, four chemical protection suits and a range of specialist equipment and tools to deal with most eventualities.

Some of the Water Tender Ladders are four-wheel drive, so that they can be used in the hillier areas of South Wales and during inclement weather conditions.