The middle-aged man who died was driving one of the cars and his male passenger sustained serious injuries.
Three firefighters suffered minor injuries in the crash and were taken to Whiston Hospital.
The fire service vehicle was responding to reports an Easyjet plane travelling from Belfast to London Stansted was making an emergency landing at JLA as it was low on fuel.
A spokesman for Easyjet insisted the diversion was due to high winds but Robbie Barrigan, a spokesman for Stansted, said: "There are high winds around Stansted but we are not transferring any aircraft. We have been accepting traffic diverted from other airports."
The plane landed safely at JLA and was due to be inspected by safety experts.
Easyjet laid on coaches for passengers to take them on to London.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "A fire service vehicle travelling to a full emergency incident at JLA was involved in a collision with other vehicles.
"The three members of our search and rescue team who were in the fire service vehicle have been taken to Whiston Hospital for treatment.
"A full investigation has begun into the incident by the fire and rescue service and police.
"We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the person who has died in the incident."
Garston Way was closed between Bowden Road and Horrocks Avenue.
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