Holden, LA – Chris Ferrara, founder and President/CEO of Ferrara Fire Apparatus, recently was presented the first annual Lifetime Achievement Award from the Fire and Life Safety Council of the Louisiana Fire Service. The award was presented by Louisiana State Fire Marshal H. "Butch" Browning during ceremonies at the state capitol in Baton Rouge, at which time Browning recognized Ferrara with these words:
"This award is in recognition of you and your corporation's career-long dedication, exceptional leadership and steadfast commitment to the Louisiana Fire Service and to the significant positive impact you have had on the lives of the thousands of firefighters and first responders throughout the great state of Louisiana. You are a shining example of and epitomize the true 'Spirit of Louisiana!'"
As is widely known, Ferrara started out in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Central, Louisiana. While working as a pipefitter at a Baton Rouge petroleum refinery, he founded Ferrara Fire Equipment. From those small beginnings, the company expanded and evolved into one of the largest fire apparatus manufacturers in America.
"Certainly, this is a humbling and gratifying experience," noted Chris Ferrara. "I've always had a passion for the fire service and have had a personal goal of improving apparatus safety for our firefighters. To be recognized by the Fire and Life Safety Council and State Fire Marshal Browning is very special."
Ferrara Fire Apparatus provides a complete line of fire and emergency vehicles, including their Inferno, Igniter, Ember and Intruder 2 custom chassis; pumpers and tankers; rear and mid-mount aerial ladders and platforms; rescue and incident command vehicles; Inundator industrial apparatus, law enforcement vehicles and the Strong Arm fire rescue vehicle. A leading safety innovator in the industry, Ferrara takes pride in offering such firefighter safety items as MVP Pumpers, Aerials and Heavy Rescues; On-Site Tilt Table Testing; Independent Front Suspension; Complete Airbag Protection; SmartWheel steering systems and Crash Tested Cabs and Bodies. To date, Ferrara is the only fire apparatus manufacturer to load test their fire body to the same standard as the personnel cab.
