Spartan Motors’ 25th Annual Fire Truck Training Conference (FTTC) is in full swing in the Michigan capital of Lansing with 294 fire truck mechanics and emergency vehicle technicians attending.
Fire trucks have been parked in the Lansing Center, including the very first Spartan-based fire truck, and conference rooms were converted into classrooms for instructors covering everything from tires to warning lights to lubrication and fire pumps.
In addition to the classes, 184 individuals are taking a total of 323 EVT certification tests throughout the event which started on Sunday, Sept. 29 and will conclude on Friday, Oct. 4.
“I am extremely pleased with the number of people taking tests,” said Bill Foster, vice president of Spartan Motors, having been with the company since 1975 as one of the original founders. “There are just not enough certified emergency technicians out there. They are very difficult to find and hold on to.”
The FTTC is one of the largest events of its kind in the nation and attracts participants from all over the country and Canada.
Divided into three tracks, the conference's first track is geared for apparatus operators/engineers or equipment officers who want to learn basic operations and maintenance at an introductory level. The second is designed for maintenance technicians who are at the service/repair level, featuring hands-on experiences. And the third track is for the heavy repair technicians who are interested in receiving hands-on and in-depth technical training.
Part of the event will include a tour of Spartan Motors’ fire chassis plant on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Firehouse is at the event and will cover highlights from the conference during the week.
