Ferrara—Pointe Coupee Fire District No. 5, New Roads, LA, tanker. Freightliner M2 cab and chassis; Cummins L9 360-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,250-gpm pump; 500-gallon polypropylene water tank; Fol-Da-Tank 3,000-gallon aluminum frame water tank; 102-inch-wide extruded aluminum body; Whelen warning lights. Dealer: Jim Stover, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Holden, LA.

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Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series about Georgetown Fire Department’s efforts to replace aging apparatus on a tight budget. Part two will appear in the Nov. 17 edition of the Georgetown Gazette.

Funding fire departments is an ongoing struggle. With that in mind, Georgetown (CA) Fire Department has gotten creative, GTGazette.com reported.

GEO Fire determined it needed to replace a 1999 wildland pickup engine (Type 6), the report said. After checking on pricing and finding the cost to be in the neighborhood of $100,000, GEO Fire reached out to federal and state partners and for no cost acquired a “new to them” 2006 Ford F-350 4×4 dually pickup truck with only 40,000 miles. A flat bed, compartments and a wildland pump/engine will be installed, estimated to cost less than $35,000, the report said.

GEO Fire also reached out to the California Office of Emergency Services to purchase a structure fire engine (Type 1), according to the report. The 2005 engine cost $40,000 and came with more than $40,000 worth of firefighting equipment. GEO Fire again painted it red and it is now in service as the first engine out of the main fire station in downtown Georgetown in the winter months. GEO Fire switches to running a wildland engine as first out in the summer months, however both units are capable of fighting all types of fires and are available year-round, the report said.

GEO Fire’s main command response vehicle, a 2015 Ford F-250, is approaching 100,000 miles and needs to be transitioned to backup status to be used as a utility vehicle with a tremendous amount of specialized rescue equipment on it. When the GEO Fire staff began checking on pickup trucks they found prices had dramatically increased and a special order would be delayed 18 -24 months, according to the report.

As Georgetown is the “Gateway to the Rubicon” and the department actually responds to the Rubicon Trail for emergencies, GEO Fire reached out to Thompsons Family of Dealerships in Placerville to see what kind of partnership would be possible. Jeff Thompson personally responded and agreed to a partnership that resulted in a 2022 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon being purchased by GEO Fire at a reduced cost of $57,000 with a number of options added by Thompson’s, including a 2-inch lift kit, tires, a camper shell and a winch, the report said.

For more on this story, please go to GTGazette.com.

North Baltimore residents narrowly approved an additional 1.15-mills levy for fire protection, TheCourier.com reported.

According to unofficial results from the Wood County Board of Elections, the 1.15-mill, five-year levy was approved with 429 votes in favor and 404 opposed, the report said. The levy will provide for the provision and maintenance of fire apparatus or other fire equipment. The rate of the levy is 1.15-mills or $0.115 cents for every $100 of value.

Safe Fleet: Fire, EMS, and Industrial (FRC, FoamPro, Elkhart Brass, ROM) is excited to announce the addition of Steve Falke as Senior Director of Industrial Sales. In his new role, Falke will be responsible for the leadership of the FEI industrial sales team, developing new business opportunities and creating customized solutions to customer needs.

Falke has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri and brings more than 20 years of experience in the fire safety industry. His prior experience includes leading the sales teams at Xtralis and Fike Corporation. As a Director of Sales, Falke successfully grew the business by prioritizing business opportunities that drove the highest sales volume and market share growth. He also successfully improved channel partners’ relationship and profitability. Steve’s extensive experience will make him a great asset to the Industrial sales team.

HOLDEN, LA – REV Fire Group, comprised of REV Group, Inc. fire apparatus manufacturing subsidiaries, is proud to announce today that Bulldog Fire Apparatus, Inc. has acquired the Louisiana Ferrara dealership and will expand into the state as the new Ferrara™ and KME^® authorized dealer. 

This acquisition by Bulldog Fire Apparatus supports REV Fire Group’s strategic plan to offer a more customer centric business approach solely focused on selling and servicing apparatus and equipment in the state of Louisiana.

“As a well-respected provider of fire apparatus and equipment, we are thrilled to have Bulldog Fire Apparatus at the forefront, supporting our current customers, cultivating new relationships, and supporting our growth strategy in Louisiana,” said Mike Virnig, REV Fire Group’s Vice President of Sales. 

Bulldog Fire Apparatus Grows National Presence with REV Fire Group

Bulldog Fire Apparatus is a well-established and long-time dealer with four separate locations across three states with full service and sales capability for both Ferrara and KME brands. The company has purchased a nearly 18,000 square foot facility with an additional 3.25 acres to expand in Prairieville, LA. This move marks Bulldog’s first venture into the Southeast, bringing its expertise in best-in-class sales and service to this growing market in the fire service. 

“Opening a new location in Louisiana is a major commitment and long-term investment that we believe will benefit Ferrara and KME customers across the state” said Bulldog Apparatus’ President/CEO Jeffrey Mazza. “The new facility will allow us to build new relationships while providing the same quality products our customers know and trust.”

In addition to expanding to Louisiana, Bulldog Fire Apparatus has appointed Bert McCutcheon as Chief Operating Officer to oversee the day-to-day operations of the entire company with a focus on the recent dealership acquisition.

McCutcheon joins the team with over 30 years of industry experience, most recently serving as the Vice President of Product Development for REV Fire Group. Prior to that he spent his career at Ferrara Fire Apparatus starting as a shop helper in 1988 and working his way up to Chief Operating Officer and Vice President/General Manager. 

“Bert’s knowledge and expertise will play a key role in moving our growth strategy forward,” stated Jeffrey Mazza. “These investments support our long-term vision of becoming one of the industry’s premier fire truck dealers nationally.”

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About REV Group, Inc.

REV Group companies are leading designers and manufacturers of specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services, which serve a diversified customer base, primarily in the United States, through three segments: Fire & Emergency, Commercial, and Recreation. They provide customized vehicle solutions for applications, including essential needs for public services (ambulances, fire apparatus, school buses, and transit buses), commercial infrastructure (terminal trucks and industrial sweepers), and consumer leisure (recreational vehicles). REV Group’s diverse portfolio is made up of well-established principal vehicle brands, including many of the most recognizable names within their industry. Several of REV Group’s brands pioneered their specialty vehicle product categories and date back more than 50 years. REV Group trades on the NYSE under the symbol REVG. Investors-REVG

Bulldog Fire & Emergency Apparatus was established in 1933 as a fire apparatus manufacturer. Over the years, the company evolved to represent other emergency vehicle manufacturers, including KME F