By Bill Peters The first step in acquiring new fire apparatus is to determine the operational needs of the department. This is not always as simple and straightforward as it seems. Often the apparatus that is...
Ask a Darley Engineer: Helping Rural Budgets
Q: What has Darley done to ease rural department budgetary concerns? In recent years, the U.S. economy has experienced drastic swings. That has caused a chain reaction in all areas of the economy. As a result, municipal budgets have been hard hit. With already tight...
Industrial Apparatus Sizes Run from Large to Huge
By Alan M. Petrillo The design of industrial fire apparatus usually centers around one main attribute, that of putting maximum amounts of water through the rig to protect industrial facilities such as refineries, chemical plants, and other large manufacturing...
Are the Gates on the Apparatus Pump Panel Hard to Open and Close? Then Clean Them Up!
By Mike Murphy Have you ever looked behind the pump panel, into the pump house, and seen how much grime and dirt collects in there? It seems like every particle of dirt gets in there and a good majority of it takes up residence. If you are experiencing issues with...
Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue Department Taking Delivery of Six Clean Cab Concept Rescue-Pumpers
By Alan M. Petrillo The Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue Department is taking delivery of six E-ONE clean cab concept rescue-pumpers designed to prevent particulates on contaminated turnout gear and SCBA from...
The Rig: Is the Side Suction the Answer?
By Ricky Riley In past Rig articles and Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment articles, I have championed having numerous options for receiving water to your engine company. Making sure you have all the tools in the tool box to be able to supply the engine with...
Ask A Darley Engineer: Driveline Layout for Pump Installations
Q: How does Darley determine if a driveline layout is acceptable for a pump installation? A: Darley closely reviews four key categories before approving a driveline application. We begin by determining if the driveline diameter can handle the maximum torque to be...
Meeting the Intent of NFPA 1901
By Bill Adams During the apparatus purchasing process, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, is the accepted “bible” for fire departments and apparatus manufacturers (OEMs). Unfortunately, both can interpret it...
Observing Data and Traffic Control
By Bill Adams After cruising several apparatus manufacturers’ Web sites and attending local and regional fire service trade shows, I’ve noticed many apparatus manufacturers are making modifications in the various ways they address the marketplace. Some are quite...
The Rig: Everything Has a Place
By Ricky Riley Recently I have been posting a number of pictures on Twitter that show great ideas and designs for storing equipment on fire apparatus. The finished products look great, but what is not taken...
KME Builds Wildland Urban Interface Rig for the Pioneer (CA) Fire Protection District
By Alan M. Petrillo The Pioneer (CA) Fire Protection district covers 296 square miles in Eldorado County between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, largely consisting of rural and agricultural territory that includes...
REV Group Fire Division Brands Introduce New Aerial Products
REV-Group’s Fire Division has been busy since FDIC International 2018, particularly with its aerial lines.













