The NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) Board of Directors elected James M. Shannon president and chief executive officer effective June 1, 2002. Shannon will succeed George D. Miller, who will retire after 10 years. Shannon has served as NFPA senior vice president and general counsel since 1991. He oversees all legal affairs of the association and also has administrative and real estate responsibility for the NFPA’s properties. Shannon has had a visible role in the organization’s operations and government affairs both domestically and abroad.
SALAMANDER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. acquired the personnel accountability and incident management product lines from Clemens Industries, Inc., including the Clemens Personnel Accountability System V (PAS-V). Salamander developed Fire-TraxT a palm-based resource tracking system. Fire-Trax uses PDF417 high-capacity bar codes to track personnel and equipment as they are staged for and deployed at incidents. The company will integrate bar codes into the PAS-V system to ensure compatibility with the Fire-Trax family of products.
CUMMINS INC. announced a new venture, FLEETGUARD EMISSION SOLUTIONS. The unit will provide solutions for customers to meet the tightening emissions regulations around the world. The technology offered through the Fleetguard Emission Solutions business will enable reciprocating engines to cost effectively meet or exceed future United States EPA and international emissions requirements. This business will research, develop, and commercialize systems and products for use in mobile and stationary applications. It will focus on the retrofitting of the existing engines population with emissions control devices and developing emissions system solutions for Cummins and other original equipment manufacturers for future emission requirements. Mike Cross, vice president of Fleetguard Emission Solutions, will lead the new venture.
RESCUE TEAM, INC. is now the exclusive North American distributor of Lancier hydraulic rescue tools, manufactured by Peter Lancier of Münster, Germany. Lancier is ISO 9001 certified. Lancier tools feature a hydraulic system that uses nontoxic mineral-based oil, are designed for an operating pressure range of 9,100 to 10,500 psi, and are compatible with all high-pressure systems.
LUVERNE FIRE APPARATUS named Robert Spertzel the southeastern sales manager, responsible for training, assisting regional dealers in attaining sales goals, recruiting and educating new dealers, and promoting Luverne Fire Apparatus.
Luverne named Charlie Clougherty northeast sales manager, responsible for setting up new dealers, supporting existing dealers, and acting as a liaison between dealers and the factory.
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. appointed Richard Schalter president of the Spartan Motors Chassis subsidiary. He replaces John Sztykiel, who becomes Spartan’s chief executive officer in June. Schalter will continue serving as chief financial officer while the company conducts a nationwide search for his successor and will also retain the title of executive vice president when he assumes the new post.
Spartan employees donated their time and more than 75 suppliers donated components in the construction of a fire apparatus unit donated to the Fire Department of New York. The unit features a Spartan custom chassis with short wheelbase, a Luverne tubular stainless-steel body, a 500-gallon water tank, a tilt cab, a low hosebed, and Luverne’s multiplex electrical system.
QUALITY MANUFACTURING, INC. received an order for 10 custom-built pumpers from Oconee County, South Carolina, to upgrade its fleet. The pumper/tanker trucks will feature the Americana aluminum body.
APCO INTERNATIONAL announced the creation of a new not-for-profit foundation intended to support the improvement of public safety communications emphasizing wireless emergency services enhancement. The public safety foundation is aimed at improving the readiness of public safety answering points (PSAPs). The foundation has been established to solicit donations for the purposes of public safety communication enhancement.
PIERCE MANUFACTURING, INC. loaned 10 new fire apparatus to the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
WHEELED COACH, INC. received an order for 27 emergency relief vehicles for the American Red Cross. The units will deliver relief supplies and aid workers to major emergencies.
Wheeled Coach created a dedicated customer service area at its Orlando, Florida, headquarters, designed to serve the needs of fire department customers. The area will provide a training room, conference room, and a private customer office with fax/modem capabilities.
