News

Buying a Pumper: 6 Considerations When Choosing a Water Tank and Pump

As you’re probably aware, pumpers are the most common type of apparatus used in today’s fire service. The pumper is often the go-to apparatus whenever a department is called to a fire, as the pumper’s main purpose is to provide personnel with sufficient water, equipment, and other tools used to sustain an initial attack on a fire. These trucks are known to do a little bit of everything out on the fireground, but they won’t be able to accomplish much without the proper water tank or pump capabilities. Without a pump or water tank, a pumper is just a truck that transports people and gear to and from the scene. All other components of the apparatus are effectively useless if these two features can’t perform adequately, and departments should be extremely thorough when selecting a tank design and choosing a pump.

9 Questions Your Apparatus Purchasing Committee Needs to Answer Before Starting the Specification Process

If there’s one thing we know about the apparatus purchasing process, it’s this: no decisions are made without careful deliberation. From the start of the budgeting process all the way down to the final inspection, every single aspect of the new truck has to be given extra thought. When you spend more than $300,000 on something you plan on using for the next 15+ years, you can’t afford to make any mistakes – especially when your community depends it.

Apparatus Technologies Help Departments Do More With Less

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.

Control Fire Apparatus Costs by Avoiding Frills Your Department Doesn’t Need

With the average new fire apparatus purchase costing well into the six-figure range, it’s easy to see why departments are very budget-conscious when investing in a new addition to their fleet. The price difference between a fully loaded custom rig and a standard, minimum-frills stock unit can be well over $150,000, and that money can often go a long way to support other areas of the municipal budget.

While it’s impossible to deny that some expensive features of the rig are absolutely necessary, it’s important that you don’t blow your budget on the fancy frills your apparatus doesn’t need. Budget concerns are the #1 reason why governing bodies don’t approve apparatus purchase proposals, so you have to make sure your expenses are justified when designing your rig.

Marion Body Works Unveils Innovative Rescue Pumper at FDIC 2015

FDIC has always been one of our favorite events to attend, and this year is no different. Last year, we unveiled our 50th anniversary demo Pumper and Aerial, as well as a recently delivered Rescue unit for the Sugar Creek Township Fire Department. We’re always excited to show off the new features and innovations that we’ve added to our apparatus arsenal, and this year we have something even more impressive to unveil at Booth 3247.

12 Tips for Designing the Optimal Fire Apparatus Storage Compartments

As we continue to see more and more fire departments purchasing rescue vehicles and multipurpose apparatus, there’s been a lot of discussion about how to maximize these rigs’ storage capabilities. Rescue vehicles are known for having bigger, better, and more diverse storage options than other apparatus types, and basically serve as mobile fire equipment storage lockers.