● The CHANGPUAK (THAILAND) FIRE DEPARTMENT invites all firefighters and fire service connected individuals to visit and provide the department with a class or two on any fire service subject, particularly on wildland firefighting and swiftwater rescue. The department will supply airport transportation, assistance in getting around the area of Chiang Mai, a government discount at a hotel, and assistance with translations and classroom material. For more information, e-mail Assistant Chief of Training Paul G. Fox at photo1fire@hawaii.rr.com, or call (808) 528-2733.
● SCOTT HEALTH & SAFETY has entered into an agreement with GENPRIME, INC. to broaden the reach of GenPrime’s Prime Alert® Biodetection System to the fire responder community, using Scott’s relationship with the fire service and its broad distribution network. The Prime AlertBiodetection System is a broad-screening biodetection test that quickly detects suspicious levels of bacteria, bacterial spores, and many viruses with one on-site test. This allows first responders to mitigate the alarm by determining the biological risk factors of the unknown substance on-site before deploying a full haz-mat response.
● E-ONE has agreed to a joint venture with CLASSIC FIRE to manufacture brush trucks, light-rescues, tankers, and skid units. Apparatus produced by the joint venture will be branded E-ONE Classic, manufactured at Classic Fire’s production facilities, and distributed through all eligible E-ONE dealers. E-ONE currently has plans for the following models: the FireScout, a 200-gallon skid unit; the FireTrooper, a quick-attack flatbed brush truck designed for one-man operation; the FireRanger, with a Ford F550 chassis for departments answering fire and EMS calls; and the FireRaider, which can be configured as a tanker or pumper/tanker.
E-ONE received a $14.2 million contract with the Kansas City (MO) Fire Department (KCFD) to replace the city’s fleet. Over the next year, the department will take delivery of 40 apparatus (36 pumpers, four platforms), making the fleet entirely E-ONE.
● FERRARA FIRE APPARATUS, INC. announced completion of an expansion to the manufacturer’s headquarters in Holden, Louisiana. The 10,000 square-foot addition expands the total size of the headquarters facility to more than 200,000 square feet. The state-of-the-art expansion accommodates an increase in custom chassis production and an expanded apparatus service department. The new facility has a large service bay area to accommodate numerous apparatus, heavy overhead cranes, and manufacturing equipment. Since 1994, Ferrara has expanded its facility three times and has grown its operation to more than 300 personnel currently.
Ferrara named Garry Hickman midwest regional manager; he has more than 25 years of emergency apparatus sales experience.
● KME FIRE APPARATUS received a contract from the Los Angeles County (CA) Fire Department for 60 pumpers and seven tractor drawn aerials. In 1997, KME was awarded a bid by the department for 13 aerials and 57 pumpers. With the creation of a consortium that was opened up to all California fire departments, dozens of additional apparatus were purchased under that agreement. A new consortium will be created for the 2005 purchase for fire departments nationwide to enable “add-on” purchases through this new agreement. Each pumper will be built on the KME Predator chassis and include a 410-hp engine, a 500-gallon water/25-gallon foam tank, 1,500-gpm main fire pump, and a foam system. Each aerial will be a 100-foot tractor drawn Predator AerialCat with a 470-hp engine, a 350-gallon water tank, and a 1,500-gpm pump. Deliveries begin in late 2005 and run through 2006.
● PIERCE MANUFACTURING INC. received an order from San Antonio, Texas, for 13 new fire apparatus, including 10 Quantum® 105-foot aerials, two Enforcer® pumpers, and one Arrow XT aerial platform. Delivery is scheduled to begin in January 2006. The Quantum aerials will be equipped with Side Roll Protection System, TAK-4® independent front suspension, cab seating for six, a 515-hp Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine, Command Zone advanced electronics system, a 290-amp alternator, and a 105-foot heavy-duty ladder with 705-pound tip load. The two Enforcer pumpers are equipped with TAK-4 independent front suspension, a Caterpillar C9 400-hp engine, five-speed Allison transmission, 270-amp alternator, a 500-gallon water tank, a 1,500-gpm Waterous pump, the Husky® foam system, a 25-gallon foam cell, a sidemount pump panel, and 19-inch extended front bumpers. The Arrow XT aerial platform features TAK-4 independent front suspension for shorter stopping distance and improved handling, a 515-hp Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine, Side Roll Protection system, seating for six, breathing air to the tip, and a 20-year aerial structural warranty.
● SPARTAN CHASSIS announced it received 409 custom fire rescue chassis orders during the first half of this year, an all-time high in the company’s 30-year history. Spartan Chassis’ order intake for fire truck chassis hit 409 for the first half of 2005, a 40-percent increase over the first half of in 2004.
