Apparatus Specifications and Purchasing: Getting the most out of your next piece of apparatus!

Comment

Comment by Joe Lyons on April 12, 2010 at 8:06pm

My department is currently spec'ing a new rescue pumper. One consideration when comparing custom and commercial is the run load. In my opinion the custom chasis is built for a heavier run load with the doubled frame rails and heavy cross members. The customs also give alot more interior space.

Comment by Leslie Pederson on June 24, 2009 at 1:12pm

We are currently specing 2 Pierce PUC's. I would agree with Eric regarding the commercial aspect. Rollover happens way too often, and custom cabs give you that benefit of the safety aspects that are critical in a fire department vehicle. Depending on your staffing, you could get an inexperienced person behind a lot of rig, and even experienced drivers can either make mistakes or something goes terribly wrong with the rig itself. Sorry, I am coming in on this discussion a little late!

Comment by Frank Ricci on June 10, 2009 at 8:37pm

Thanks for the invite

Comment by Eric Standley on April 27, 2009 at 12:05am

Brad, we're not currently specing anything. However, just to throw something your direction and you can do what you wish with it. While budgets are tight, depending on what the purpose of these rigs are for, seriously consider a custom cab. Im not going to plug any particular company, but commercial cabs in general arent for the most part near as safe. Roll protection, airbags, other safety minded things aren't as of importance to those companies. What cab do you want to be in when the truck decides to take a tumble. Especially with that kind of weight pushing you into an object, I know I want as much strength around me as possible. Just something to think about.

Comment by Marques Bush on April 16, 2009 at 10:52am

Brad that is cool! I regularly check the site so just fire away.

Comment by Brad Hoff on April 14, 2009 at 4:21pm

Marques...I had a whole paragraph yped up the other day and pushed the wrong button...PUFF...Gone. So when I get to think of it and transferring it to my fingers...I will be sure to give you a reply. check out www.northstarfire.org in the mean time to see our current fleet.

Comment by Marques Bush on April 9, 2009 at 6:27pm

Guys I was apart of a specing commitee and known of us had ever done it before so we made some serious mistakes. I will be happy to share. Just ask away! Brad my first thing I would ask is why commercial? What type of community?

Comment by Brad Hoff on April 8, 2009 at 12:05pm

My volunteer dept is specing two or three comercial or custom rigs with 2000 gal tanks and probably 1250 pumps. We have a committee but I didn't get in on this one. They are open for ideas and any literature. If I get some dirt I will be sure to post it.

Comment by Adam Miceli on April 8, 2009 at 7:39am

This could be a very interesting and informative Group. Let's get it started. Anyone speccing anything right now?