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Posted: Dec 1, 2018

Looking Ahead Means Looking Back

Quite frankly, 2018 has been a blur. Things are moving so rapidly sometimes that I’m lucky if I can remember what I did yesterday let alone back in the beginning of the year.

Chris Mc Loone

I guess some of the things that stand out were some of the larger apparatus and equipment deliveries this year, which means fire departments nationwide remain in a buying mode. That some of the deliveries were for extrication equipment or self-contained breathing apparatus was important as well. We often focus on the fire apparatus orders, but there are some departments making big investments at once on the equipment side.

I went back and looked at my editorial from December 2017, and I wrote about the concerted effort the fire service was making toward cancer awareness and prevention. We were just starting to really hear about the “Clean Cab Concept” and other initiatives like deconning right away upon leaving a fire building or bagging personal protective equipment before leaving the fireground so it can be sent out immediately for laundering. This year, we began to hear about deliveries—both equipment and fire apparatus—that were specifically designed to help reduce exposure to contaminants. In a way, last year was theoretical and this year is actual. We’re seeing the deliveries and proof of concept.

One topic that was hard to avoid during 2018 was that of aluminum and steel tariffs. There will be more on that in our 2019 outlook article (see the cover story), and certainly the hope is that any impact as these tariffs are imposed will be minimal and that plans for expenditures on things like fire apparatus will be able to proceed.

I always look at FDIC International as a way to see how things are in the marketplace, and this year’s show proved that the market is in a good place. We saw a number of companies that merged in 2017 making their debut as new entities in 2018, and they made their debut with a bang. I think there were more fire trucks this year than in any of the previous 12 FDIC Internationals I’ve been to—which is a great thing. Manufacturers are building a lot of trucks and are eager to show them off.

This year, for a lot of reasons, has been one of looking back for me—not only to 2017 but even farther. 2018 marked my 25th year as a firefighter. My sons are beginning to ask me about what’s involved in joining the fire company, which makes me look back to when I joined. It’s a safer fire service today. All the debates about firefighting tactics aside, when you look at what was a 15-year-old fire truck in 1993 and what is a 15-year-old fire truck today, the difference is night and day. Radio communication was different; we didn’t have any thermal imaging cameras; checking to make sure the pump wasn’t overheating meant putting an ungloved hand on the steamer connection’s pipe; and diesel exhaust in the firehouse was just part of the game.

Yes, should they choose to join, my kids will definitely be entering a safer fire service from an equipment perspective. They will be thrown into debates over combination fog nozzles vs. smooth bore, s

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Posted: Dec 1, 2018

Looking Ahead Means Looking Back

Quite frankly, 2018 has been a blur. Things are moving so rapidly sometimes that I’m lucky if I can remember what I did yesterday let alone back in the beginning of the year.

Chris Mc Loone

I guess some of the things that stand out were some of the larger apparatus and equipment deliveries this year, which means fire departments nationwide remain in a buying mode. That some of the deliveries were for extrication equipment or self-contained breathing apparatus was important as well. We often focus on the fire apparatus orders, but there are some departments making big investments at once on the equipment side.

I went back and looked at my editorial from December 2017, and I wrote about the concerted effort the fire service was making toward cancer awareness and prevention. We were just starting to really hear about the “Clean Cab Concept” and other initiatives like deconning right away upon leaving a fire building or bagging personal protective equipment before leaving the fireground so it can be sent out immediately for laundering. This year, we began to hear about deliveries—both equipment and fire apparatus—that were specifically designed to help reduce exposure to contaminants. In a way, last year was theoretical and this year is actual. We’re seeing the deliveries and proof of concept.

One topic that was hard to avoid during 2018 was that of aluminum and steel tariffs. There will be more on that in our 2019 outlook article (see the cover story), and certainly the hope is that any impact as these tariffs are imposed will be minimal and that plans for expenditures on things like fire apparatus will be able to proceed.

I always look at FDIC International as a way to see how things are in the marketplace, and this year’s show proved that the market is in a good place. We saw a number of companies that merged in 2017 making their debut as new entities in 2018, and they made their debut with a bang. I think there were more fire trucks this year than in any of the previous 12 FDIC Internationals I’ve been to—which is a great thing. Manufacturers are building a lot of trucks and are eager to show them off.

This year, for a lot of reasons, has been one of looking back for me—not only to 2017 but even farther. 2018 marked my 25th year as a firefighter. My sons are beginning to ask me about what’s involved in joining the fire company, which makes me look back to when I joined. It’s a safer fire service today. All the debates about firefighting tactics aside, when you look at what was a 15-year-old fire truck in 1993 and what is a 15-year-old fire truck today, the difference is night and day. Radio communication was different; we didn’t have any thermal imaging cameras; checking to make sure the pump wasn’t overheating meant putting an ungloved hand on the steamer connection’s pipe; and diesel exhaust in the firehouse was just part of the game.

Yes, should they choose to join, my kids will definitely be entering a safer fire service from an equipment perspective. They will be thrown into debates over combination fog nozzles vs. smooth bore, s

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Posted: Dec 1, 2018

Yakima sends fire engine to Mexico

A fire engine will soon make the long journey from Yakima to Mexico. City leaders said the retired fire truck will be transported from the Yakima Fire Department to Yakima's sister city of Morelia in central Mexico, during the week of Dec. 3. The Yakima-Morelia Sister City Association (Y-MSCA) purchased the fire engine from the city of Yakima earlier this year.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2018 3:27:32 AM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS 29 Yakima
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Posted: Dec 1, 2018

Fire Industry Outlook for 2019

By Chris Mc Loone


As 2018 comes to a close, it is hard to believe that just 10 years ago the United States was entering a recession that would severely impact the fire market.

Although much of the fire industry has rebounded during the past 10 years, there hasn’t been a return to the same numbers in terms of units sold as pre 2008. That being said, it’s easy to see that things are not overly “bad,” however.

One obvious indicator is the trade show circuit. Even with continued consolidation, companies are not using this as an excuse to spend less money. A short walk through FDIC International 2018 was all it took to see that the fire service vendors are expanding their booth space vs. contracting it. I think I saw more fire trucks in 2018 than I did in my previous 12 FDICs. Additionally, firefighters nationwide are identifying problems that need solutions and are developing products to provide them. Not only are they designing and developing the products, but they are starting companies to produce and sell them. And, these companies are lining the aisles at FDIC International with their booths. But, trade shows are not the only indicator.

During 2018, we received countless press releases from apparatus manufacturers announcing orders or deliveries—often multiple unit orders and deliveries. There were several large orders for equipment like self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). And, apparatus and equipment manufacturers continued to bring new products to market as well as new versions of previous products. Companies were hiring—always a good sign.

We also received news on numerous companies expanding their facilities. I have always felt that a good indicator of a company’s health is whether or not it is reinvesting in itself, and 2018 proved that the health of the industry as a whole is good.

That is not to say that we should not be looking at the future, and indeed there are indicators that the fire service and its suppliers must prepare for different contingencies. For example, one area that has received attention not only in the fire service but in manufacturing in general is a shortage of trade labor. Not as many young adults are choosing to enter a trade anymore. And, it’s hard to ignore talk of tariffs on steel and aluminum and other products that could impact pricing for the goods we need to do our jobs. So, as we end 2018, where are we, and how do things look for 2019?

TEN YEARS LATER

Prior to 2008, fire apparatus manufacturing was at its peak. When the recession hit, municipalities had to readjust their capital expenditure plans, but there is typically a lag between when a recession starts and when fire service suppliers are impacted.

Comparing 2008 with 2018, Paul Darley, chairman, chief executive officer, and president of W.S. Darley & Co., says, “It is encouraging to see the uptick in the market following the catastrophic drop in new trucks following 2008. Although the market has not returned to prerecession numbers, it is still a healthy and respectable market nonetheless. I would consider it a new normal.”

Jim Kirvida, owner and president of CustomFIRE, says, “2018—of course I’m looking at it from a manufacturer’s standpoint—has been a busy year with many more opportunities and many more successes than were present in 2012 through 2016.” One difference Kirvi

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Posted: Dec 1, 2018

Fire Industry Outlook for 2019

By Chris Mc Loone


As 2018 comes to a close, it is hard to believe that just 10 years ago the United States was entering a recession that would severely impact the fire market.

Although much of the fire industry has rebounded during the past 10 years, there hasn’t been a return to the same numbers in terms of units sold as pre 2008. That being said, it’s easy to see that things are not overly “bad,” however.

One obvious indicator is the trade show circuit. Even with continued consolidation, companies are not using this as an excuse to spend less money. A short walk through FDIC International 2018 was all it took to see that the fire service vendors are expanding their booth space vs. contracting it. I think I saw more fire trucks in 2018 than I did in my previous 12 FDICs. Additionally, firefighters nationwide are identifying problems that need solutions and are developing products to provide them. Not only are they designing and developing the products, but they are starting companies to produce and sell them. And, these companies are lining the aisles at FDIC International with their booths. But, trade shows are not the only indicator.

During 2018, we received countless press releases from apparatus manufacturers announcing orders or deliveries—often multiple unit orders and deliveries. There were several large orders for equipment like self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). And, apparatus and equipment manufacturers continued to bring new products to market as well as new versions of previous products. Companies were hiring—always a good sign.

We also received news on numerous companies expanding their facilities. I have always felt that a good indicator of a company’s health is whether or not it is reinvesting in itself, and 2018 proved that the health of the industry as a whole is good.

That is not to say that we should not be looking at the future, and indeed there are indicators that the fire service and its suppliers must prepare for different contingencies. For example, one area that has received attention not only in the fire service but in manufacturing in general is a shortage of trade labor. Not as many young adults are choosing to enter a trade anymore. And, it’s hard to ignore talk of tariffs on steel and aluminum and other products that could impact pricing for the goods we need to do our jobs. So, as we end 2018, where are we, and how do things look for 2019?

TEN YEARS LATER

Prior to 2008, fire apparatus manufacturing was at its peak. When the recession hit, municipalities had to readjust their capital expenditure plans, but there is typically a lag between when a recession starts and when fire service suppliers are impacted.

Comparing 2008 with 2018, Paul Darley, chairman, chief executive officer, and president of W.S. Darley & Co., says, “It is encouraging to see the uptick in the market following the catastrophic drop in new trucks following 2008. Although the market has not returned to prerecession numbers, it is still a healthy and respectable market nonetheless. I would consider it a new normal.”

Jim Kirvida, owner and president of CustomFIRE, says, “2018—of course I’m looking at it from a manufacturer’s standpoint—has been a busy year with many more opportunities and many more successes than were present in 2012 through 2016.” One difference Kirvi

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