A rescue engine is an engine combined with a rescue unit forming a two-piece company. It has the capabilities of an engine, plus with the specialized equipment carried on the rescue, it can perform the functions of a truck. It lacks only the aerial ladder and complement of ground ladders carried on trucks.

Rescue engines are stationed in the more rural areas of the county where a large truck would be limited and there is not the need for an aerial ladder. Although assigned to specific fire stations, rescues can be paired with any engine to form a rescue engine, allowing the flexibility to provide truck capabilities wherever needed.

A unique unit is Quint 44 stationed in Wood Ranch. It is a larger sized engine with a 75-foot aerial ladder. It has pumping capabilities, hose and a water tank, which a truck does not, allowing it to perform as an engine. Because it also carries the specialized equipment to perform truck operations, it has engine and truck capabilities all in one unit.

Staffing: Rescue engine staffing is a Fire Captain in charge of the crew, a Fire Engineer who drives the apparatus and operates the pump and two to three firefighters depending on the station. If any of the firefighters is a paramedic, the unit will be designated as a medic rescue engine.

Radio designation:

Rescue Engine + station number.
i.e.: Rescue Engine 23. (if the Rescue is paired with a Medic/Engine, it will be a Medic/Rescue/Engine)