Change. That seems to be the political buzzword this year, but it is something we see every year in the fire service industry. In the high-tech computer world you expect to see dramatic changes on an almost monthly basis, but in the nuts-and-bolts world of fire apparatus and equipment, dramatic changes can take us by surprise.
This year we’re seeing a culmination of design changes of the last three or four years, as well as significant new ideas — new equipment and entirely different ways of combining a vehicle chassis with a specialized body to give fire departments safer and more user-friendly apparatus.
And we’re seeing stiff competition to deliver both custom and stock-type program trucks faster and with more features.
E-ONE
The new E-ONE Synergy pumper puts a fully electronic, top-mount pump panel into a climate-controlled enclosed operator’s station while actually reducing overall body length.
How did they do it? By simply redesigning the rear cab with flip-up seating that moves out of the way, turning the floor space into the pump control area. A rear-facing, short-depth, but full cab with console panel uses push buttons and digital readout gauges so the operator can oversee intakes and discharges, as well as the fireground through large rear and side windows.
All that heated and air-conditioned rear cab area, which for years has been unused, excess space after the pumper arrived on scene, has been turned into a control room.
Such design evolutions will have more real fire service impact than the company’s high-tech, green hybrid rescue truck or command center vehicle which debuted last year. While hybrid vehicles of all types get media attention in this summer of diesel fuel prices approaching $5 per gallon, E-ONE’s instantly convertible, unused space rear cab redesign is available now with immediate benefits for firefighter safety and operational ease.
Pierce
Pierce has been the industry leader in making big splashes with every product innovation, whether the changes warranted it or not. But now, when taken as a whole, we see significantly redesigned, re-engineered and really fire service-friendly new apparatus being turned out in Appleton, Wis.
The company was the first to stress occupant safety changes, including higher cab strength, seat belt pre-tensioners and rear cab air bags, touting its “360-degree protection” theme as the 21st century arrived.
Only skeptics noted that “360-degrees” was more like “240-degrees” since the front cab — a significant point of impact — had no air bags. Well, that’s changed, and the 2008 Pierce cabs are among the best in occupant protection in the industry.
Equally important was introduction of the Velocity and Impel chassis lines. While the Quantum and Arrow XT “traditional” chassis will continue to head the Pierce lineup for some years, the Impel and Velocity chassis provide strength and manufacturing flexibility that expand customer benefits and options.
Rather than tying price points to product names like Dash, Saber, Lance, and Enforcer, with certain standard features for each model, by selecting the Impel chassis option a fire chief or purchasing committee is asking for a custom truck built from the ground up. The Velocity line is likely to be specified by municipalities placing multiple orders, wanting the most apparatus within their budget constraints.
But Pierce has gone not one, but two steps further with the “Pierce Ultimate Configuration” or PUC model. (A terrible choice of name unless you’re a hockey fan or armed services member who knows PUC stands for “Presidential Unit Citation,” a very high award for accomplishment during wartime.)
Introduced with a lot of hype two years ago, the PUC does provide maintenance ease, greater wheelbase options and very flexible crosslay placements, as well as side cabinet design.
But the real innovation in the PUC is the Pierce designed, Darley manufactured, live pto-driven pump. No split-shaft changeover from road to pump needed. Flip a couple of switches, and you are delivering water. Pump and roll? No problem.
Pierce In Stock
While every manufacturer always has demo units available that move around the country from trade show to trade show, and usually some in-stock apparatus as well, Pierce has taken the rapid delivery concept one step further.
Pierce President Wilson Jones announced that a section of the company’s Web site would be available to display photos and specs of completed apparatus ready for instant delivery.
The site now has six pages of available fire trucks with more than 50 units listed.
Ferrara, Rapid Delivery
Chris Ferrara introduced the “STAT” line of program trucks several years ago to be delivered from inventory or within 60 to 90 days. He was well ahead of his time with this “ready inventory” approach that even included basic model custom pumpers.
Ferrara’s Intruder II pumper built on an HME/Ferrara chassis and its companion version, offered as a 77-foot quint, can be in your firehouse within 60 days.
Similarly, sound, rugged program trucks on commercial chassis, such as International, Freightliner or Kenworth, are usually in stock ready to go on the assembly line with your desired body.
Next Month
Next month in this column, we’ll summarize some new developments at Rosenbauer and Spartan, which offer new benefits to fire departments, as well as commenting on how things look for the future at American LaFrance.
Used Apparatus For Sale?
At Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment magazine we think we’ve solved all the problems surrounding direct advertising by fire departments that have quality used apparatus for sale.
Over the years we’ve had many departments contact us about advertising, but because brokers and dealers can buy full-page ads on an annual basis, they have a huge advantage over a single fire department trying to sell one truck every five or seven years.
Ideally, departments that have used apparatus for sale should start advertising them six to nine months in advance of expected delivery of a replacement unit.
Our program will start with the August issue. If you have a 10-year-old or so used truck coming to market within the next several months, e-mail me directly for information at cpj@firemagazine.com. Be sure to include make, model, year, mileage, estimated availability date and your phone number. I will get back to you asap.