I made the following statements in the May 2025 “FA Viewpoints” column: “Can you explain in detail to the mayor or town board everything written in the specification? If not, you may lose their support. If you can’t prove or even understand what you’ve written, you shouldn’t have written it.” These statements warrant further discussion.

It doesn’t matter whether a generic (open) or proprietary purchasing specification was written. It is irrelevant if a fire department, dealer, or consultant penned the document. There’s no accusation that a document was poorly written. It is immaterial if it favors a preferred manufacturer or dealer or if it explicitly eliminates a certain product. It is the purchaser’s prerogative regardless of appropriateness or legality.

Expanding the Viewpoints Statements

If questioned by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), the apparatus purchasing committee (APC) or its designee should be able to justify the specification’s requirements. In layman’s terms, you should be able to explain exactly what was written. If asked why an item was specified, be prepared to answer in plain English.

Specificity is paramount in writing technical purchasing specifications. It is essential that the document fully particularizes the apparatus desired. There should be no doubt or questions in the minds of dealers and manufacturers (OEMs) about what the purchaser wants. Fire departments and dealers usually speak the same language. The AHJ may not. Be prepared to defend yourself.

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA)

NFPA 1900, Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles, Automotive Fire Apparatus, Wildland Fire Apparatus, and Automotive Ambulances, Section 3.2.2* defines the AHJ as: “An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation or a procedure.” It and its explanatory material in Appendix A, Section A.3.2.2 can be confusing, especially when complicated by commentators.

As an example, a slang expression I often use refers to the AHJ as “the people who authorize and sign the check for a fire truck.” However, paraphrasing Section A.3.2.2, the NFPA says the AHJ might also be an individual or entity responsible to ensure compliance. In most political subdivisions, the APC is the fire chief ’s agent. The chief then could be considered the AHJ ensuring compliance—yet does not formally authorize the purchase or actually sign the check. Chiefs are usually answerable to a governing body— the ultimate AHJ that authorizes actual payment. Confused yet? Accountability is seldom questioned unless “something bad happens” as a result of noncompliance.

CHANGING TIMES

Fire department purchases may no longer be approved carte blanche in political subdivisions. Nonfirematically oriented residents might be elected to and even compose the majorities on governing bodies such as city councils, village boards, and fire commissions. Some might not know or care about the differences between fire trucks and garbage trucks.

If taxpayer-elected representatives are in foul fiscal moods, it’s best not to communicate with them in terminology they don’t understand. Embarrassing them is not a good idea. Be capable of factually answering every question posed concerning your specifications. Sixty fire department members may vote for a set of purchasing specifications that’s unanimously approved by the APC. But, three out of five members of a governing board can torpedo the project.

PREPLAN

Firematic hazards such as the “big one” on Main Street or a train derailment at the end of town are not the only perils fire departments face. Forethought should be given to possible negative AHJ re

A Memphis (TN) Fire Department ladder truck caught fire at Interstate 40 Wednesday, July 23, 2025, wreg.com reported.

The fire department said no injuries were reported. The fire department said they will be releasing details as they become available.

The post Memphis (TN) FD Ladder Truck Catches Fire on Interstate appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The Odin (IL) Fire Protect District wanted to replace a 1994 brush rig with a new unit that could handle both wildland fire emergencies and double up as an emergency medical services (EMS) response vehicle. After checking out several vendors, the department saw a Skeeter Brush Trucks wildland pumper at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) and had Skeeter build a Type 5 wildland pumper. 

Greg Smith, Odin’s fire chief, says the fire district protects the 1,600 residents in the 25-square-mile city of Odin in Marion County, Illinois, with a 2013 E-ONE Type 1 custom pumper, a 1999 E-ONE commercial chassis Type 1 pumper, (both carrying battery-powered hydraulic rescue equipment) a 2007 Freightliner pumper-tender, and a 1998 Jeep CJ7 light brush truck. “Our 1994 Ford F-250 brush truck was showing its age and had to be replaced,” Smith observes. “We spent a lot of time with Skeeter at FDIC, going over what their wildland pumper could do and all its features. After looking at other vendors, we chose to go with Skeeter for a Type 5 wildland pumper that also could handle EMS response.” 

Bill Davidson, vice president of sales for Skeeter Brush Trucks, says the rig Skeeter built is a Type 5 wildland pumper on a Ford F-550 extended cab and 4×4 chassis powered by a Ford V–8 7.3-liter gasoline engine. He notes the rig has seating for one firefighter in the extended cab, along with an EMS cabinet, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)  located in an exterior compartment.