For immediate release:

The Mansfield, Foxboro, and Norton fire departments were awarded a $527,550 Assistance to Firefighters Grant, the Mansfield Fire Department said in a news released posted on Facebook Monday.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is a competitive federal grant initiative designed to help municipalities manage the financial burden of delivering fire protection and emergency medical services to their communities. The leadership of the Mansfield, Foxboro, and Norton Fire Departments are proud to bring this funding home to our communities.

The funding will be utilized to replace existing antiquated or failing portable and mobile radio units. Expenditures will be for must-have items that would have otherwise been funded through our local tax levy.

This grant was made possible through the support of the Southeastern Massachusetts Regional 911 District (SEMRECC) who is funding the 10% funding match required by the federal government.

We would also like to thank Congressman Auchincloss and Senator Elizabeth Warren’s offices for all of their support at the federal level for this grant.

By Bill Adams

Comparing “apples to apples” in the competitive bidding process can be a daunting task when specification wording is vague. Technical requirements such as metal thickness, water tank capacity, and a ladder’s length are easily compared and evaluated. Ambiguous specification requirements such as best industry practices, first class, top-of-the-line, premium, and the oft-used heavy duty are self-promoting and unprovable terms. However, they appeal to the sales and marketing folks because they can influence purchasers. 

Fire apparatus manufacturers (OEMs) and their dealers use them and others including model, style, and type when describing product.  Attempting to compare similar apparatus from multiple OEMs is akin to attending an open forum at the United Nations without an interpreter. Everyone speaks a different language.  

Custom Cab & Chassis

The terms custom cab, custom chassis, and the collective variant of custom cab and chassis are used generically throughout the fire service and apparatus industry. They have no formal definitions. They’re subject to personal interpretation and are used synonymously by buyer and seller. 

Custom cabs and chassis are built specifically for the fire service. Commercial cabs and chassis are built predominantly for everyone else.  Some commercial cabs and chassis are modified or customized for use as fire apparatus. OEMs often refer to them as custom fire apparatus which is their prerogative although it is a bit misleading. What’s confusing is when OEMs assign names and catchy monikers to their apparatus and in particular custom cabs and chassis. Does the name reflect the chassis or the cab or both?

NFPA 1901

The National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 1901 Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus defines a chassis in Chapter 3 Definitions under 3.3.34 Chassis: “The basic operating motor vehicle including the engine, frame, and other essential structural and mechanical parts, but exclusive of the body and all appurtenances for the accommodation of driver, property, passengers, appliances, or equipment related to other than control. Common usage might, but need not, include a cab (or cowl).” 

The NFPA specifically says a chassis does not include the cab – but acknowledges some people may think otherwise. Cabs are addressed separately in NFPA 1901 Chapter 14 Driving and Crew Areas. The NFPA does not define a custom or a commercial cab and chassis – nor should it.  

My definition of a cab is where firefighters sit.  A chassis is everything underneath the cab.

OEMs’ websites and literature seldom say if the name or model number assigned to a cab and chassis means just the cab structure or is inclusive of the chassis. Some just show a rig’s photograph with an identifying moniker. Some literature describes styles, series or configurations or model numbers. Also, not every cab and chassis has a trademarked name.  

Let the OEMs define their own cabs and chassis but explain what components the definition includes! OEMs don’t usually describe a specific cab and chassis as their top-of-the-line product. Not every OEM uses the word model to define their cab and chassis. Some use series and configuration and others just a name. 

Specifications

Envision an apparatus purchasing committee (APC) tasking each member to investigate and evaluate a different cab and chassis manufacturer. If finding what could be pertinent information on an OEM’s websi

The Bellevue City Council Monday authorized the fire department to use a state Department of Ecology grant to purchase the city’s first electric fire engine, the city said in a news release Wednesday. The new Pierce Volterra, one of the first municipal electric fire engines in the country, will be housed at Fire Station 1, at 766 Bellevue Way SE. 

“The Bellevue Fire Department looks forward to being a leader, not only in the state, but in the nation, by demonstrating the efficiency of a more environmentally-friendly fire engine without sacrificing safety or performance,” Fire Chief Jay Hagen said.

The $649,000 grant, made available through the Washington State Clean Diesel and Volkswagon Settlement Grant programs, will cover up to 25% of the new rig’s cost. Acquisition planning for the electric engine will be conducted in 2023, with procurement and delivery anticipated in 2025-2026. 

For years Bellevue has been adding electric vehicles to its fleet and charging stations for them. Bellevue has a strong commitment to remaining a regional leader in environmental sustainability. 

“Adding an electric fire engine to the fleet directly aligns with the implementation of our Sustainable Bellevue plan, which we’re accelerating this year,” said Ana Hagerup, the city’s sustainability program manager. “Trading an older diesel model for a zero-emission fire engine puts us on the path to achieve the city’s fleet electrification targets and goal to reduce local carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.”

Madison (WI), home to Pierce Manufacturing, put the nation’s first municipal electric fire engine into service in 2021. The only notable difference in performance from diesel models is that it’s quieter for both firefighters and the community. 

The cities of Redmond and Seattle are also participating in the grant program, which helps cover the cost of charging apparatus along with the fire engines.

• Redmond (WA) Hopes to Be ‘Industry Leader’ with New Electric Fire Engine
• Pacific Northwest Fire Departments Getting Their First Electric Fire Engine

E-ONE—Weston (MA) Fire Department eMAX custom pumper. Typhoon cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; 750-gallon polypropylene water tank; 30-gallon foam cell; Akron 125-gpm foam eductor single-agent system; TFT Extend-A-Gun; Elkhart Stinger deck gun. Dealer: Mark MacDonald, Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, North Attleboro, MA.

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A tornado ripped through Hughes Springs four months ago, inflicting major damage on the fire station.

As the department works to get the station back in order, Assistant Fire Chief Randy Jones recalls that night and how fortunate he was to survive it.

Jones was in the firehouse when the tornado passed over and tore it to pieces, KSLA reports. He sheltered behind a vehicle, and when the storm passed he was able to drive one of the department’s trucks out through the wreckage of the station.

The department is working with its insurer to rebuild and raising money to replace some of the gear with this gofundme campaign.