Richard Marinucci

Virtually every fire truck manufacturer and all of their suppliers are selling their products nationally and probably internationally.

This is not to imply that some don’t rely more on their regional areas, but the point is that there are few, if any, in this industry that are not doing their best to expand their market across the country and around the world. This global approach has its benefits to fire departments in that they can look to purchase vehicles and components from anywhere and from anyone. This exposes fire departments to more information and requires them to do more research when looking for the best fit for their organization.

One such opportunity to get “upfront and personal” with those inside the industry is the 28th Annual Apparatus Symposium, presented by the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA), to be held January 17-19, 2016. For much of its history, this conference has been held in Florida. For the first time in a long time, it is moving closer to the West Coast and will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona. For those who have attended in the past, this is an opportunity to see another part of the country while getting the same quality content from the Symposium. For those who are west of the Mississippi, the conference is even closer and more convenient. If you haven’t attended, this is a chance to see what you are missing when researching your next major apparatus purchase.

There are those who believe they can do all their research locally and do not need to expend funds traveling to learn about their next apparatus purchase or improve their maintenance program. Still others are unable to convince those who control the budget of the value of in-person research. But for those who attend, there is no doubt that with participation comes the opportunity to find ways to maximize the benefits of new apparatus while minimizing the cost. Past attendees can attest to specific cases where lessons learned in this environment have saved much more money than the cost of attending the Symposium.

When looking for new apparatus, it is important to know what you absolutely need to have and which items are up to your discretion. Knowing as much about this as possible allows you to make the right choices and ultimately purchase a vehicle that meets your needs, proves to be reliable, and is completed at the best price possible. There is no doubt that apparatus is a huge investment; mistakes can be costly not only to the budget but also in terms of functionality and reliability. Often it is the little things you learn that can really prove to be beneficial when acquiring apparatus.

You must approach fleet management in its entirety, from acquisition to the retirement of the vehicle. This would include the overall maintenance of the vehicle during its expected lifetime. This Symposium will cover many of the critical aspects of apparatus maintenance, again offering insight that will save money and improve reliability. The value of attending is not only in the excellent presentations that are a part of the program but also in the networking opportunities that link like-minded individuals who are extremely dedicated to their work.

There are other apparatus considerations-including record keeping, liability, safety, and risk management. All of these topics will be covered during the Symposium. Like so much of the fire service, apparatus and everything related to it including the components have become more complex. The importance of staying up on the latest information and innovations, including the standards that provide direction and regulation, cannot be overstated. Those who wish to excel and offer the most appropriate and reliable app

Delivery of the Month

Smeal-Waretown Fire Department, Ocean Township, NJ, rescue-pumper. Smeal Sirius cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 400-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank; Harrison 8-kW generator; Onspot automatic tire chains. Dealer: Jamey Pallitto, New Jersey Emergency Vehicles, Manasquan, NY. (Photo by John M. Malecky.)

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By Alan M. Petrillo

The United States was built on the foundation of small businesses, so it’s no surprise that some fire departments prefer to work with one of a number of regional or midsize fire apparatus builders.

Those manufacturers report they are seeing strong interest in their apparatus and have been turning out custom pumpers, tankers, rescues, wildland trucks, and specialty vehicles.

Pumpers

Joe Messmer, president of Summit Fire Apparatus, sees multipurpose vehicles as a continuing trend that will be with the fire service for some time. “Rescue-pumpers seem to be the truck of the day right now and will probably continue that way for a while,” Messmer says. “Doing more with one truck and the lack of staffing for some fire departments are a couple of reasons for the rise in rescue-pumper use. It’s actually a good natural blend for a fire vehicle.”

Bob Sorensen, vice president of SVI Trucks, says SVI has delivered three out of five identical pumpers ordered by the Greeley (CO) Fire Department. “Each one is on a Spartan chassis set up as a paramedic engine for four firefighters,” Sorensen says. “They each have a Cummins 550-horsepower (hp) diesel engine, independent front suspension, Waterous 1,500-gallon-per-minute (gpm) side-mount pump, and an L-shaped 750-gallon water tank that allows for a low hosebed. The pumpers also have FRC SpectraMax scene lighting and a rear compartment to house hydraulic rescue tools.”

Summit Fire Apparatus built this custom side-mount pumper with an extended front bumper for the Green Township (OH) Fire Department. (Photo courtesy of Summit Fire Apparatus.)

Grant Spencer, general manager of Spencer Manufacturing, says his company has been doing a lot of customization on fire trucks. “We’re not building the same trucks every day,” he says, “because departments want their pumpers, quick-attacks, and pumper-tankers customized to their needs.”

Mark Albright, general manager of 4 Guys Fire Trucks, believes the industry as a whole has picked up in fire truck orders. “There’s a lot of activity going on with custom pumpers and rescue-pumpers,” he says, “as well as with rescues, aerials, and tankers. We are seeing more rear-pump-design apparatus, although top-mount pump applications are still out there. They both make sense because of the increased visibility the operator gets.”

2 SVI Trucks built several Type 3 Model wildland trucks with 500-gpm pumps and 500-gallon water tanks for Dallas (TX) Fire-Rescue. (Photo courtesy of SVI Trucks.)

Mike Weis, owner of Weis Fire & Safety Equipment Co., says he’s been seeing a lot more use of high-end quick-attack-style pumpers. “We build a hybrid brush and rescue truck that’s a quick-attack vehicle departments use for first responder calls, car, and brush fires,” Weis notes. “Some departments buy the quick-attack and set it up to handle a vehicle accident first and medical treatment second. Most are on Ford F-450 and F-550 chassis, along with some Dod