By Bill Adams
Some are called trade shows. Others are called expos. Those called conferences are multifaceted, with the larger ones featuring extensive educational and training programs. Every year in the United States there are numerous such events drawing fire service personnel from across the country. A handful style themselves as “national” shows. In Indianapolis, the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) is held annually (except during pandemics). It is the largest domestic national fire service trade show, drawing more than 30,000 attendees.
Fire apparatus manufacturers have traditionally used the FDIC forum to introduce their newest and greatest apparatus innovations. Most of the rigs displayed there are new, including numerous demonstrator models available for immediate sale. This missive is about the fire truck side of the trade shows, especially the regional shows.
FA Viewpoints: Walking the Trade Show Floor
Regional trade shows should not be disparaged or discounted by apparatus purchasers. Although some manufacturers regularly attend them, local dealers are usually responsible for organizing and staffing the displays. Often the apparatus shown have been sold and are en route to being delivered after the show. Some have recently been placed in service and brought to the show. Most are equipped, and that is a benefit to potential purchasers.
The benefit to prospective buyers is to observe, compare, and evaluate how various fire departments actually equip their new apparatus. Granted, new shiny fire trucks with large hosebeds and empty pristine compartments are impressive looking and accurately display workmanship unobscured by equipment and packed hose. But equally important is to see how functional the apparatus is—or can be—when loaded and ready to go.
The following photographs are from a regional show. Comments are this writer’s personal opinion about features liked as well as disliked. Keep in mind that most of the photographed rigs are designed for specific fire departments for THEIR use today and tomorrow and NOT for the department I belonged to 20 years ago. Readers may find some of the layout ideas useful or find some they want to steer clear of.
Rub Rails
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Posted: Aug 11, 2022
The city manager in Columbia (MO) has included money for a new fire station and 12 new firefighters to staff it in the budget for next year, according to report published by 93.9 The Eagle.
Columbia city councilors are expected to look at the manager’s proposed $506-million budget at a work session on Saturday (Aug. 13), which includes the funding for a new fire station on land the city has already purchased for the station, according to the report.
The new station would be located in fast-growing southwest Columbia, according to the report.
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Posted: Aug 11, 2022
Dexter (MI) City Council members have decided to put a proposition to spend $8.4 million to renovate or replace a fire station before the voters in November, according to a report published by Mlive.com.
According to the report, if voters approve the bond proposal, the money would be used to replace a 1955 fire station on Main Street that is “functionally obsolete.”
To pay for the new Station 1, the councilors decided to ask voters to spend an estimated $2 on every $1,000 of taxable value, according to the report, which added the matter will be decided during balloting on November 8.
There remains an issue on whether to fund a significant renovation to the facility or build a new one on property the city had previously purchased in 2019, according to the report.
Attempts to resolve that issue at a council meeting on Monday night failed after the members did not approve a resolution to settle on building a new structure, according to the report.
Councilors will have to come up with some sort of language for the ballot by August 16 to make the ballot, according to the report.
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Posted: Aug 11, 2022
A new pumper has been delivered to the Salem (IL) Fire Protection District to replace a 35-year-old unit and is the first brand new apparatus the district has received in a dozen years, according to a report published by WJBD 92.1.
According to the report, the new apparatus will carry both firefighting and rescue gear and will help the community maintain its Class 3 Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating.
The new truck was financed with help from a USDA Rural Development loan which covered the approximately $650,000 price tag, according to the report. The purchase did not require any bonding as it was part of the operational planning, the report said.
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