SMEAL FIRE APPARATUS CO. has announced that 10 new Smeal custom pumpers are joining the front line of the Detroit (MI) Fire Department. Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. announced today that 10 pumpers have been delivered to complete an order placed by the department in 2014. Five are already in service, and five more were unveiled in August. Detroit also has six Smeal rescue-pumpers on order.
"A proud and resilient city like Detroit deserves tough, dependable fire trucks," says Jeff Wegner, senior vice president of global sales. "The people of Smeal are very honored to have the opportunity to custom build these new pumpers to optimize performance, durability, and value for the Detroit Fire Department. They will meet a critical need and help enhance Detroit firefighters' ability to respond and fight fires. Being part of serving this historic city and its citizens makes us all stand a little taller."
The 10 just-delivered pumpers feature 500-gallon water capacities, 1,500-gpm single-stage pumps, midship pump panels, and front suctions. The fire bodies and Smeal's GS-36 body subframes are both constructed of stainless steel for strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. The pumper bodies feature classic rear beavertail designs, roll-up compartment doors, and low hosebed heights. Each pumper is built on a Spartan® Metro Star® cab and chassis powered by a 400-horsepower engine. The chassis feature expansive interior room for the crew and the Advanced Protection System® (APS).
The six 500-gallon rescue-pumpers currently on order feature components consistent with the 10 pumpers, but feature rescue-style bodies with full-height, full-depth compartments on both sides, upper hatch compartments and custom equipment storage solutions.
R & R Fire Truck Repair, Inc. of Northville, Michigan, is the Smeal dealer responsible for predelivery inspection, local service, and support for the Detroit Fire Department.
FIRE-DEX has acquired TECGEN PPE®, a flame-resistant fabric and garment technology from National Safety Apparel (NSA). Fire-Dex is the exclusive licensee of the TECGEN PPE® product line for the first responder market. This acquisition strengthens Fire-Dex as a global PPE leader, focused on protecting firefighters. The technical solution will expand Fire-Dex's head-to-toe offering. Steve Allison, director of sales, states, "The TECGEN PPE® fabric and product designs are outstanding for modern day firefighter activities for more than 90 percent of department calls. NFPA 1971 structural firefighter gear is critical safety equipment, but departments need additional function-specific PPE that impacts their safety and comfort." Focused on protection and breathability, TECGEN PPE® offers a comfortable, protective alternative to wearing turnout gear or day uniforms for technical rescue and extrication work. TECGEN PPE® gear is specifically designed to stand up to the tasks most commonly performed during MVA, extrication, and technical rescue responses.
THE FIRE APPARATUS MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION (FAMA) has awarded its 2015 Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship to Oklahoma State University student Tyler Lambert, a senior at Oklahoma State University who plans to graduate this year from the School of Fire Protection and Safety in the College of Engineering and Technology. He currently serves as a volunteer firefighter for the Ingalls (OK) Fire Department while maintaining a 3.25 GPA. He received the $5,000 scholarship in recognition of his outstanding academic achiev