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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.

How to Determine if Your Department Needs an Initial Attack Fire Apparatus

As more and more departments start to downsize their fleet in favor of multipurpose apparatus, like our RPM, many are contemplating purchasing an initial attack vehicle. Initial attack fire apparatus come in a variety of different designs, and vary from department to department based on their intended use. While some departments use them to initiate fire suppression attacks and provide support while waiting for larger pumpers to arrive on the scene, other departments have used them to respond to smaller fires that require fewer personnel.

6 Tips for a Successful Final Inspection with Your Apparatus Manufacturer

After months of debating different specs, pouring over designs, and deciding what features to include on your new rig, your department’s new apparatus is finally ready for final inspection with the manufacturer. The final factory inspection is an extremely important part of the truck-building process and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. This will be the last opportunity to ensure your apparatus is built exactly to your specifications, and find any deficiencies before it’s delivered to you.

Buying an Apparatus: Five Things to Look for in a Dealer

Once you’ve gotten the approval to purchase a new fire apparatus, the next step is finding a dealer to purchase it from. As a matter of fact, you probably have a few in mind already. A new apparatus is a big investment, and you want to make sure you’re buying from the right company.

So when it comes time to choose a dealer, what are you basing your criteria on? Price and apparatus quality are the two important factors, but those aren’t the only things that affect your buying experience. To help you find a dealer that will provide the best apparatus for the best available price and the best overall buying experience, here’s a list of 5 things to look for when deciding on one:

5 Indicators Your Department is Ready for a New Fire Apparatus

With a new apparatus ranging anywhere in price from $100,000 to over $1,000,000, you can be sure that your department will be looking to maximize its investment and squeeze every possible hour of service out of your vehicles. That being said, when an apparatus is approaching the end of its effective life expectancy, it isn’t always easy to determine whether or not it needs to be replaced. Sure it might not perform like it did fresh off the factory room floor 10-15 years ago, but do you really need to spend all that money and go through the process of replacing it just yet? Would it be more feasible to just repair the apparatus?