Apparatus Architects: Hampden Twp, PA, Fleet Manager Donn Gutshall
Apparatus Architects Tom Shand and Michael Wilbur talk with Donn Gutshall, who serves as the fleet manager for Hampden Township in Cumberland County, PA. He is responsible for over 400 vehicles, including fire apparatus and ambulances.
Listen as he shares how the township historically examined the costs of preventive maintenance and created a budget to help manages their expenses. He shares how every rig gets maintenance at certain intervals and how they keep rigs on the road, instead of in the shop.
Gutshall also talks about the guidelines used by the township to spec and purchase new apparatus.
Join The Apparatus Architects for a Live Recording of their podcast at Firehouse World in San Diego. The podcast takes place on Feb. 23 at 9:45 a.m. in Room 17B. Please send any questions for Tom and Mike to: [email protected].
About the Author

Tom Shand
TOM SHAND, who is a Firehouse contributing editor, is a 36-year veteran of the fire service. He works with Michael Wilbur at Emergency Vehicle Response, consulting on a variety of fire apparatus and fire department master-planning issues. Shand is a member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame.
Michael Wilbur
MICHAEL WILBUR, who is a Firehouse contributing editor, retired as a lieutenant in FDNY, where he was last assigned to Ladder Company 27 in the Bronx. He has served on FDNY's Apparatus Purchasing Committee and consults on a variety of apparatus-related issues around the country. Wilbur is a member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame. For further information, access his website at www.emergencyvehicleresponse.com.

