A neat little story... In 1981, I went to work for Rheem Manufacturing, they had a plant in Milledgeville, Ga. One of the biggest buildings I had ever seen, like 15 acres under 1 roof big. Worked there 3 yrs, in 2009 they closed that plant and moved operations to Mexico. That big building sat vacant for many years. A few years ago, a family owned business moved in and started building something much more needed in an emergency than an A/C unit. Fouts is building fire trucks and support apparatus there. The town in this article is basically where we live... https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AqSHUq1um/
For far too many departments, that is true...I feel like our local FD does a pretty good job with stewardship though...at least for now, we'll see what happens as the older generations retire. I know they just received a new truck last year...have another ordered too...I think I heard they have a 2-3 year lead time...and price changes right up to the day you pick it up too. I think I heard something like 3 million for this one. The thing that kinda ticks me off is that all this stuff is controlled by the insurance companies, as far as when things need replaced, and what you can buy. And even the maintenance that has to be done while you own it...doesn't matter if it passes "the test" otherwise, if it's xx years old, it's outta here. Can you imagine the cost to replace the roof on that building T.Jeff Veal ?!
Right before I retired I helped our department spec and purchase a very simple tanker/tender from Fouts. It was a plain truck without many features on a commercial chassis (which is what we wanted), but it still took maybe 18 months and wasn't cheap. But it is a well-built truck. The backlog and pricing for fire apparatus has gone through the roof in the last few years, in large part due to localities receiveing COVID funds that they turned into emergency vehicle purchases. And throwing the ridiculous electric fire trucks into the fray hasn't helped simplify things either. Some builders are up to a four year wait on some models now.
Young inexperienced drivers and heavy trucks are a problem, especially when they think they need to go fast to save the day. I don't have current percentages, but tanker rollovers are a large portion of fire apparatus crashes. They are especially problematic when they are only partially loaded and the water is shifting around. Not the kind of driving experience you get good at when you normally only drive a car or pickup. At least the tankers and heavier trucks are governed to a slower top speed by NFPA regulations than pumpers and lighter trucks are, but in any of them if you drop a tire off the shoulder you're in for a rough ride. The CDL licensing for firefighters idea gets kicked around every so often, but the stricter limitations and penalties for all driving offenses that comes with that licensing usually kills the discussion pretty quickly. Most departments and insurance agencies I'm aware of require drivers to have an Emergency Vehicle Operations class, but that's pretty basic course. A stong, experienced officer in the front passenger seat is often the best mentor a new driver can have, if the officer is/was a good operator himself and is willing to coach and discipline the newer folks.
With all due respect, first responders shouldn't have issue with the higher standards that comes with a CDL.
Nope. I agree wholeheartedly. But at least in Virginia, a CDL comes much heavier fines (double, I think?) for speeding (even in a private vehicle), a DUI limit that's half the normal standard, etc. I think higher standards and expectations are a good thing, but obviously not everyone does. I've had a CDL since I was 18 (it was called a "chauffeur's license" way back then), and I've always been able to behave myself (well, as far as driving goes... ) so it wouldn't have bothered me at all.
Here CDL tolerance DUI is 0 even in private vehicle which is why volunteers at department are a hard No
It's all volunteer departments around here so good luck on the CDLs (or at least not every driver has one I'd bet). Henniker may have a few FT positions since they are a (small) college town - and I wouldn't be surprised if the college foots at least a portion of that. I'd bet that is the only place within a 20 mile radius of me, or even further that has any FT. I'm pretty sure both NH towns I've lived in long term have only bought used equipment. When you only have 6k residents (and my town is larger than most), then you can't afford new.
Very similar situation here, our county is huge...it's over half the size of Rhode Island... Sandersville, the county seat, has the only FT fire department, I think there are 6 other smaller towns that have volunteer IT'S. I remember when I was young, anybody that could drive or help did. Now, when you join, you go to smoke school and receive better training. The old department had a tanker built on an old Army deuce truck, go anywhere, if you could drive it and most folks couldn't. I'm sure tax dollars are used, if fact, there is a little bit of our property taxes that's used. These departments are a real blessing to us that live in rural areas. Not long ago, had 4 fires in 1 day. 2 were brush/grass fires, 2 were structure fires, 1 a hay and equipment barn near us, the other a house fire with fatalities, 2 young kids. So glad to see the upgrades...
a lot of very small departments know very well its real dollars , they have fundraised for over a decade at times to cover the cost. They arepaid for before the set of tires are ordered. At LaFrance, the have live camera feeds, so the buying agency can look in on progress . For big agencies, its also a major outlay. Always verifying the Chief just doesn’t actually need a new truck as much as wants one, because the company has taken him to Ruth’s Chris a few times at convention. my little fire department benefited in getting a used truck when a neighbor township wanted to pass on an “old” truck wheen the new one arrived
Big buildings are neat. This is the largest I've ever been in. 27-1/2 acres before the expansion. I was a laborer there during interior construction. Had to have golf carts to go to lunch to save 20 minutes walking to and fro. Real fun when a ratchet comes up missing at end of day in the tool trailer and no one leaves until it's found.
Fire departments are some of the most responsible when spending dollars but they're still held to dumb regulations like Brenda said.
