Today, almost without exception, fire stations across the country are being asked to “do more with less” as a way to control expenses. Many departments have had to reduce their staff size and apparatus fleet, which leaves the rest of the department to take on more responsibility each time they answer a call. Consequently, departments have to be very careful about how they strategize their response plans and specify any new apparatus purchases.

While there are many features today that might be deemed as unnecessary frills, there are also a number of available features that can help your team streamline processes and eliminate wasted steps, all while giving you more flexibility in how you approach a fire. Though it’s easy to be wary of new technologies given their often expensive price tags, the initial costs of some features can be well worth the price once you the measure the long-term impact and benefits that they provide. In fact, here are some examples of the innovations available to help teams perform at their peak:

A Back-up Camera on the Screen at the Pump

Having the camera right at the pump gives the operator a picture of what’s happening on other sides of the apparatus, putting him or her in a better position to make the best decisions.

The Simplex Electrical Panel Control and the New Pump Forward Design

The simplex allows you to control chassis functions from the pump panel – there’s no need for someone to climb in the cab. The Pump Forward design moves the suction hose and discharges away from the operator. This means the operator is able to stand in one place to operate the pump, the electrical breakers, the deck gun, and the fill station.

Integration of New Fill Station Controls

Integrated controls allow the bottles to fill automatically, with a touchscreen that lets the pump operator multi-task rather than focus solely on filling.

Wireless and Remote Control Deck Guns

With this kind of “hands off” control, there’s no need for a firefighter to climb up to control the deck gun.

Despite the higher upfront costs of these features, these types of innovations help departments make more of each team member, on every call. Even if a new technology costs several thousand dollars more than the alternative, if it means you can respond to calls with 5 firefighters instead of 6, or save precious minutes on the scene, those savings and benefits can add up quickly over time. Marion is all about giving firefighters the right equipment to do the best job, and these are just a few examples of the kind of innovation you can expect from our team.

To learn more about our apparatus technologies, please talk to your nearest Marion dealer, or contact us personally at (715) 754-5261.