Posted by Shane Krueger on (August 21, 2014)

9 Questions to Ask Your Department Before Buying a New Fire Apparatus

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Though the thought of replacing an aging apparatus might seem exciting to most fire departments, it’s a decision that must be made after a lot of careful thinking and deliberation. With even your most basic apparatus costing well over $300,000 to build these days, buying a new apparatus is an investment your department can’t afford to take lightly. In addition to their expensive price, each apparatus must also stand up to any challenges the buyer might put it up to. Lives will literally depend on your apparatus’ reliability and functionality, so it’s important every penny spent is justified.

That being said, with so many options available on fire apparatus these days, it’s crucial your department knows how to create an apparatus that fits all of your unique operational needs without breaking the bank. For example, let’s compare the needs of a rural and urban fire department: In an urban community with easy access to many different fire hydrants, your next apparatus won’t require as large of a tank as its rural counterpart with a much more limited access to hydrants.

Though this is only a simple example of the types of things you must consider when designing an apparatus, the thought process is one that applies to every possible feature of your truck. In order to create a needs assessment list that perfectly outlines the necessary features on your next apparatus, make sure you start by asking these 9 basic questions:

1. What will be the new vehicle’s primary mission?

Before you can start deciding on the best features, you have to figure out what the mission of the vehicle will be. For example, will it be your initial or first due engine? Look to see if there is anything in your history you can use to guide the need of the new apparatus. Should the new engine make room for additional items you wish you had or are there things that you never use and don’t need to include?

2. Will the new vehicle have a secondary purpose?

Once you’ve determined the vehicle’s primary mission, now you have think about what else it can be used for. Nothing says “saving money” like killing two birds with one stone, so a dual-functionality apparatus can be very beneficial.

3. What physical characteristics/restrictions must your apparatus follow?

For example, does your aerial have to be a certain length to reach your city’s tallest building? Does your department’s station limit the apparatus’ overall size? Is there a bridge or height restriction in your response area? These are just a few examples of the situations you must consider.

4. How much funding is budgeted for the purchase?

Though it’s hard to put a price on anything that’s used to save lives, there’s bound to be a budget for your next apparatus purchase. Determine the minimum and maximum amount you have to spend, and prepare to make your decisions accordingly.

5. Which features are preferred vs. necessary?

Once you’ve figured out your budget, create one list of the features you absolutely need on your truck, and another list of features that would simply be nice to have. If you can add all the necessary features for less than your budgeted cost, you’ll be able to go through and add some preferred ones.

6. Are there any special equipment requirements?

If you know your apparatus will need to be equipped with a special tool beforehand (i.e. generator), it’s important to make sure your apparatus is capable of carrying that tool. Whether this means designing a custom storage compartment or including the item on your “necessary” list, make sure you’re ready to go with the equipment you need most.

7. How many firefighters will the apparatus normally need to carry?

Plain and simple, this is one of the most basic questions you need to answer in order to help determine your apparatus’ overall size. A 6-person rescue squad will perform and cost much different than a 12-person rescue squad, so it’s important to keep this question in mind throughout the design process.  

8. Will your apparatus need to be suited for any special operating conditions?

Will your apparatus be driven around in snow or subzero weather certain months out of the year? Do you live in an area with a lot of steep inclines? Maybe your tight city streets require a larger turning radius. Whatever the case may be, make sure you take into account the environment your apparatus will be driven in.

9. What are the apparatus operator’s qualifications?

Are all of your apparatus drivers certified and trained to operate your new vehicle? What new design features will require additional training for personnel?

Buying a new fire apparatus is a major decision for any fire department. With so much public funding and your community’s wellbeing at stake, there isn’t much room for error when it comes to designing the right apparatus for the right cost. By asking these 9 questions, however, you’ll be able to help select the perfect apparatus for your department.

Reasons to choose all aluminum fire apparatus

About Marion Body Works

Marion Body Works manufactures Fire & Emergency Apparatus, Commercial Truck Bodies, Aluminum Custom Cabs, Custom Engineered Vehicles, and Defense Products for customers across the country. Marion has been privately owned, family operated, and continuously operated in Marion since they were founded in 1905. Marion specializes in all aluminum products, with more experience in this area than any other U.S. manufacturer. The company’s capabilities include aluminum and steel fabrication, welding, plumbing, foam insulation, hydraulics, electrical and electronic controls, and painting.