COMPANY NEWS
DEPARTMENTS
The Hale Fire Pump Company has begun a replacement program for the Power Shear cutting attachment to its Model 32 and 32A rescue tools. Hale has been concerned that this attachment could cause safety problems if not properly operated or maintained.
Vice-President/Marketing Bob Blackburn said the attachment, marketed by another company before Hale acquired it last year, could fail under stress.
“In the interest of safety, we hope to recover all the Power Shears,” Blackburn said. “If blade sharpness is not properly maintained on these outdated attachments, there could be a sudden failure, especially if the shear is spread beyond its recommended limits.”
Owners of the Power Shear can return their attachment to Hale for a cash rebate or a credit toward a “Jaws of Life” Model “O” cutter.
The Model “O” tool has a streamlined design that gives the cutter built-in flexibility, according to Blackburn. “Because it is safer and easier to use than the shear attachments, we’re encouraging owners to exchange the shear for the new updated model,” he said.
The trade-in program will continue through March 30, 1986. Power Shear owners can turn the tools in to a dealer or contact Hale Fire Pump Company, 700 Spring Mill Avenue, Conshohocken, PA 19428; telephone number (215) 825-6300.
Collins Industries Inc. has completed its acquisition of Wheeled Coach Industries Inc.
Collins purchased the 750,000 common shares of Wheeled Coach that it did not already own for $2.25 million, or $3 per share. In March, Collins purchased 1,750,000 shares of the Florida ambulance manufacturer for $4.6 million, or $2.63 per share.
Wheeled Coach will continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Collins Industries, which is one of the nation’s largest diversified manufacturers of special-use vehicles. The merger makes Collins one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of ambulances.
Collins also produces small school and shuttle buses, funeral coaches and mortuary vehicles, limousines, fire trucks, leisure vans, heavy-duty terminal trucks, mid-size transit buses, tour trolleys, and products for transporting the handicapped.
Stephen B. Waters, president of the Fireline Corporation, was recently elected president of the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors Inc. (NAFED).
The NAFED is the only recognized trade association representing the fire equipment distributors. The overall purpose of NAFED is to gather, develop, and disseminate information that will improve the nation’s fire protection.
In addition to Waters, the NAFED board of directors elected the following three Association vice presidents for the 1985-1986 term: James R. Spears, Spears Fire & Safety Services Inc.; Roger E. Maire, Bay Cities Fire Extinguisher Service Co.; and Merlin Fisher, Stockton Fire Equipment Co.
Donald J. Begley of Andersen Fire Equipment Co. was elected treasurer.
FMC Fire Apparatus Division has announced the appointment of a new division manager and a manager of manufacturing operations.
Named division manager is Robert H. Schwartz, who comes to the division from FMC Corporation’s Petroleum Equipment Group. Joining him as manager of manufacturing operations is Ray Salati, who previously had been with the parent corporation’s Automotive Service Equipment Division.
According to Schwartz, FMC plans to strengthen its quality and service role through the construction of its new plant in Tipton, IN, which will be involved with the manufacture of its Aerial and Omega lines.
Kustom Electronics Inc., Lenexa, KS, completed the installation of a new combined dispatch center for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located in the city of Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The EOC handles all calls for police, fire, and emergency medical services for the city.
The EOC also contains twelve operator positions and four supervisor positions, all furnished from Kustom’s Prokomm line of modular control consoles. Kustom also supplied in-country installation supervision and support services for the center.
