By Bill Adams Pundits and commentators expound on the firematic benefits of using L-shaped booster tanks on pumpers. Apparatus manufacturers (OEMs) promote rigs with “New York City style” low hosebeds. (See Apparatus Purchasing: FDNY-Style Hosebeds,...
Tribute Graphics on Fire Apparatus
In recent years, graphics on fire apparatus have evolved to include tributes. From the ubiquitous "We will never forget" to simple initials to remember an particularly active or skilled fire apparatus...
The Complete Valor Experience
In the fire industry, seconds can make a difference when it comes to saving lives. With the focus on efficient seat design for firefighters, Valor First Responder Seating recognized the importance to have the quickest ingress and egress possible while on the job....
Rig Logos At FDIC International 2019
FDIC International is a great place to see what departments across the country are building into their new rigs. It gives attendees a sampling from manufacturers located across the country, and most attendees...
Turning Radius and Tapered Bumpers
By Bill Adams All the purchasing specification said was, “The bumper shall be 95 inches wide with 45-degree corners and side plates.” Unless the reader is the preferred dealer who wrote the document, that statement has little to no intrinsic value. It’s possible the...
Town Clips the Purchasing Committee
By Bill Adams Many fire departments enjoy little to no oversight by political subdivisions that provide taxpayer financing for their apparatus purchases. In particular, volunteer entities often purchase what they want from who they want without political recourse or...
Salisbury (MA) Fire Department Gets KME Tuff Truck Aerial Ladder
By Alan M. Petrillo The Salisbury (MA) Fire Department was in a bit of a bind. It was running a 1991 aerial ladder that it had purchased as a used vehicle 10 years previously, but the rig needed to be replaced, yet the department didn't have the money to do so. But...
Down to the Last Stitch
Material and cover design are the first things you see when you inspect a Valor First Responder Seating product and Valor aims to provide best in class upholstery with a strong design focus from concept to execution, making sure your result seamlessly blends in with...
Ferrara Fire Apparatus Custom Pumper Goes to the Ramsey (IN) Volunteer Fire Department
By Alan M. Petrillo The Ramsey (IN) Volunteer Fire Department covers 113 square miles of fire district through four fire stations, each housing an engine, tanker, and brush truck and staffed by 34 volunteer firefighters. The department, which has a total of 19...
Ask a Darley Engineer
Depending on the brand of engine, the new tier 4 engine can mean a number of new exhaust aftertreatment considerations when laying out and installing a diesel-powered pump.
Gallery: Richardson (TX) 2018 E-ONE Typhoon Aerial
Engine 2 began service with the Richardson (TX) Fire Department on June 12, 2018. It is built on an E-ONE Typhoon X cab and chassis and features a 12-inch split raised roof. Cab seating for six is provided along with an EMS cabinet installed on the back wall of the cab.
Is Fire Truck Sandbagging Ethical?
By Bill Adams Sandbagging is a term often heard when playing cards and sports. It's a term that isn’t necessarily deceitful, although it can be. In the world of fire apparatus purchasing, sandbagging happens all the time, although it’s not always advertised, promoted,...