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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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,...
Photos and description by Lindsay Dye Engine 1 began service on March 16, 2018, with the Lowry Crossing (TX) Volunteer Fire Department. The rig is built on a Ferrara Cinder cab and chassis with an 8-inch...
By Alan M. Petrillo The Coplay (PA) Fire Department needed to replace a 30-year-old engine and an equally aging rescue truck. But instead of purchasing two new vehicles, it decided to merge their functions...
By Bill Adams “Dimmable Warning Lights” is a misleading title. I originally thought the proposed changes to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus were to allow dimming warning lights in the blocking the right-of-way...
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