Fire trucks and advertising does it work?

[BCmdepas3280]

We are currently looking at purchasing or leasing a new Medic unit, and have heard through the grapevine that we can lease a unit and have it paid for with advertising placed on the side of the truck. I am wondering how this works and has anyone tried this approach also do the trucks look cheesy if this is done.

[EastKyFF]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about how tacky it is. If the people in your community aren't willing to cough up what it takes to provide the services they need, then maybe they need to be hauled to the hospital in an ambulance with a "Got Milk?" ad on the side. Or better yet, just keep the oldest, crappiest unit you have and tell them when you arrive to pray with you that the ambulance won't stall again, like it did with that woman having the triplets during the blizzard.

Not a very constructive answer, but the thought that we should even have to consider doing this is infuriating to me. If people won't pay to be kept alive and safe, what the hell WILL they pay for?

[downtownlt]

we have a nearby department that has used
this technique and paid for a quint with it.

they have the names of the sponsers on the
ladder plate on the side of the ladder.

it really doesnt look to bad and who cares
if it did, are you buying a parade truck or
a truck to protect the people who are sponsering
it

[martinm]

We have been doing this for about 10 years ove rhere now. Currently we have Drager logos on the sides of the appliances as they supply our B.A. sets and this offsets the total cost of replacing the sets, meaning we can spend the money on other things. (I believe the saving was about £30000).

Another Fire Service in my region is sponsored by an oven chip manufacturer and has their logo and name on the trucks.

[ffemt1]

I have been thinking along the exact same lines for about a year. How about this?

Tobacco companies are looking for places to put BILLIONS of advertising dollars. Winston can no longer advertise in all motor sports (No more Winston Cup in drag racing). Winston's colors are red and white, fire trucks are red and white (mostly). Tobacco customers are smokers . . . firefighters go to smokers. Sounds like a match made in heaven.

Here is another one. Budwiser - - red and white . . . we go to auto accidents . . . . If it will get me the equipment I need . . . anybody for "Dispatch, Bud-1 responding."

Maybe RJR and Anheuser Busch could pool their money and put together a grant program that would put the Fire Act to shame.

[JJBat150]

Hmm.... let's see... On our new Engine, there's at least 5 name plates with either the Manufacturer's name or the truck model....

There's also a plate on the pump pannel with the dealer's name...

I'm going to call them up right now and see where the advertising check is

[EastKyFF]

Lemme clarify my earlier rant...

I have no objection whatsoever to due recognition of donors who cough up large gobs of cash to provide us with something we need. I would gladly tattoo their names on my own, uh, tailboard. Nor would I mind reasonable acknowledgement of a significant donation by a corporation (emphasis on "reasonable" and "significant"; the ad should be commensurate with the donation).

What I am objecting to is a public that won't pay for essential community services and instead relegates us to whoring ourselves out with an ad on the side of our truck. Not recognition of a donation, but a bought-and-paid-for advertisement.

And what happens if Joe Blow, Inc. puts an ad on an apparatus, then puts big money into somebody's political campaign? People will align us with that candidate, that's what would happen. And that is never good, but it's even worse when the candidate loses and his opponent retaliates against us.

What if Enron had an ad on your truck?

It's a can of worms I'd prefer not to open.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Advertising anything but the Department, unit number or a fire safety message is tacky!

If I wanted to ride in a rolling billboard, I would take a bus or a cab!

[gordoffemt]

Well said Gonzo, as usual. I'm with the Captain on this one.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Old glory, a memorial, an indvidual fire company motto or logo and an IAFF decal yes.... Preparation H., Joes Auto Body, McBurger Whopper etc.... NO WAY.

[BCmdepas3280]

While I agree that this approach is tacky and would not want it on the side of my trucks, I still can't help but think why not? If it is done in a tastful manner and it free's up cash for other needed items such has airpacks or manpower..... why not?

[ThNozzleman]

You would have to be careful; for a government department to advertise, you would probably be unable to reject some businesses and accept others. In other words, could you advertise "Aunt Sally's Bible Book Store", yet refuse to advertise for "Uncle Harry's Dirty Book Store"? They are both taxpaying businesses...and they should both receive equal consideration under the law. Any lawyers out there? We promise not to shoot you on sight!

[38R1-theprobe]

I dont think that the victoms of a drunk driver would want an ambulance covered in alcohol ads or a person suffering from congestive heart failure looks out their window to see that the marlboro man is here to save the day. I dont think that advertising is at all a good idea, on the other hand it would be nice to get assistance in paying for equipment. Ads featuring fire companies or related industries would be reasonable.

[E40FDNYL35]

I'm not sure if I like the idea. How much money can you possible make on these adds? Can it pay for raises or to put manning on the rig? What kind of adds will be on the rig? Bud adds, condom adds, cigarettes adds ???

[ffemt1]

If I wanted to ride in a rolling billboard, I would take a bus or a cab!

With the financial situations of some departments, the bus or a cab might be quicker, and safer.

Advertising anything but the Department, unit number or a fire safety message is tacky!

And using antique equipment is better?

Can it pay for raises or to put manning on the rig?

Since more than two thirds of the people using the equipment are not paid, does not matter.

[FSRIZZIO]

I just checked out an outfit called "government acquisitions inc.". They provide new vehicles of all types to government entities for one dollar, the sponsors pay for the vehicle and get a spot on it, they don't go for gaming, tobacco, etc. The gig is you get the vehicle for three years then sell it to them for one dollar. Theoretically they get you another new one. You've got to help get the sponsors, and agree to the placement of logos, etc. New $180,000.00 engines every three years? could the sponsors support this? for a small town? maybe for a support vehicle or something a little more generic...I don't know... any thoughts?

[Bones42]

I think there was an article on firehouse.com about a PD that was looking into that company as a way to get new cars. At that time, the company had no sponsors willing to do it and only that one PD that was interested. I think it was in the last 2 or 3 months.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Originally posted by ffemt1
I have been thinking along the exact same lines for about a year. How about this?

Tobacco companies are looking for places to put BILLIONS of advertising dollars. Winston can no longer advertise in all motor sports (No more Winston Cup in drag racing). Winston's colors are red and white, fire trucks are red and white (mostly). Tobacco customers are smokers . . . firefighters go to smokers. Sounds like a match made in heaven.

Here is another one. Budwiser - - red and white . . . we go to auto accidents . . . . If it will get me the equipment I need . . . anybody for "Dispatch, Bud-1 responding."

Maybe RJR and Anheuser Busch could pool their money and put together a grant program that would put the Fire Act to shame.

also posted by ffemt1

With the financial situations of some departments, the bus or a cab might be quicker, and safer.

And using antique equipment is better?

Since more than two thirds of the people using the equipment are not paid, does not matter.

the big question is...

Are you willing to pimp for tobacco and alcohol companies for the sake of a few dollars (especially when we go into the schools to teach kids about the hazards of tobacco and alcohol and their coorelation to fires!)?

If "they" were as concerned about us as they say they are, they would just write checks in the form of grants...not ask firefighters to prostitute themselves.

[RyanEMVFD]

[ffemt1]

for the sake of a few dollars

few dollars ???

$50.00 - don't be silly
$500.00 - no way
$5000.00 - probably not
$50,000.00 - closer
$500,000.00 - Now you have my attention. This is more than the total expenditures during the 52 year history of my department. First fire truck - $12,000.00 - 1952.

Are you willing to pimp

From the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary at http://www.m-w.com/

Pronunciation: 'pimp
Function: noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1600
: a man who solicits clients for a prostitute

Answer - No - see illegal reference below.


If my ultimate purpose, and I assume yours, is to save lives and protect property, is the way I get the tools to do that really important? (I will leave this statement open for those of you who want to come up with illegal methods, the rest will understand.)


Question: Would YOU take money from a tobacco company to save a neighbor? What line will YOU never cross to save someone?


RyanEMVFD

Try Photoshop, I think it will do a better job for you.