There's a big difference. One can start a water flow in about 15 seconds. The best aerial might require 90 to 120 seconds to flow water, and the worst might take four to five minutes. The concept of quick water should be a constant on any quint. See Figure 2 for a more high-tech quint layout.
Many manufacturers place a gun on each side of the aerial device.
That allows instant water off either side. Other quints have plumbed and portable guns for increased versatility. Figure 2 shows a more capable quint. Many rural departments face staffing and training-time limitations. Their solutions have to be unusual.