Industry News 9/16

Waterous has named Gregg Geske director of North American sales, where he will play a key role in the business relationships with fire apparatus OEMs. He will report to Dominick Monico, global executive director of sales, marketing and business development. Geske has been with Waterous for the 26 years.

“With Gregg’s wealth of knowledge and experience as well as his reputation and respect within the industry, he brings a unique capability and credibility to this position,” said Monico.

Tempest has welcomed back former president and part owner, Leroy Coffman, as acting president for the company. Coffman is a veteran business member of the fire industry and served as Tempest’s acting president in 2012 and nearly 10 years prior. He comes back as the business works to finalize executive team restructuring. Coffman, son of Tempest founder Dexter Coffman, has played an integral part of Tempest’s past accomplishments, including the launch and success of the company’s signature Power Blower, VentMaster and MVU lines. This development is part of a collection that Tempest has initiated over the past year in the effort to further the company’s standing as the leader in the development of ventilation equipment within the fire industry.

Safe Fleet Emergency & Industrial has announced additions to its sales team. Each new associate will be focusing on the Safe Fleet Emergency Market brands: Elkhart Brass, R•O•M, FoamPro & FRC. Their efforts will concentrate on customer development and sales growth responsibilities for each of their assigned territories. Jay White, a former Los Angeles City firefighter, is the new western regional sales manager. Dean Hutt joins as midwest regional sales manager. Jason Witmier is the new northeast regional sales manager.

KME announced that the Los Angeles County Fire Department has awarded it an order for 20 custom pumpers. The new trucks, when delivered in 2017, will join hundreds of KME apparatus currently in service at the LACoFD. The purchase includes a contract provision for fire departments nationwide that allows them to “tag-on” to the contract and take advantage of the discounted pricing until Dec. 31, 2016.

The apparatus will be built on KME’s Severe Service cab and chassis. Each apparatus is equipped with a KME Lock-N-Load hosebed cover, which provides a strong aluminum treadplate working surface that can easily and safely be lifted for hose repacking with a short raised height for operations in low clearance stations.

Departments that wish to “tag-on” to the contract and take advantage of the discounted pricing also garner additional benefits that include:

• A price justification that includes a base line specification and pricing that were obtained through a public, competitive bidding process.
• The ability to make some modifications to the configuration to meet the needs of the department’s unique operating conditions.
• Firm pricing for new orders throughout calendar year 2016.
• Elimination of most purchasing administration costs which can be substantial for public bids.

For more information, contact KME or your local KME dealer at kmefire.com/support/dealer-locator.

AMKUS Rescue Systems announced its intent to acquire 911 Tools, a U.S. manufacturer of vehicle stabilization equipment and lifting systems. The 911 Tools Rescue Strut product line includes accessories that will allow emergency responders to transform vehicle stabilization struts into other life-saving rescue tools, such as manual hydraulic rams and shoring struts, as well as tripod, bi-pod and mono-pole adapters for use in rope rescue scenarios. In addition, the RescueStrut system can be easily configured for trench, structural collapse or confined space rescues.

“This is a patented, state-of-the-art system that integrates the strength, speed, control and dependability of hand-powered hydraulics with the structural components of the strut,” said Kyle Smith, president of AMKUS Rescue Systems. “It’s an affordable system that’s easy to set up and operate, and is rated for structural loads, so rescue professionals can confidently raise and lower materials as quickly as the circumstances of their particular emergency requires.

“Not only does this complement our existing AMKUS line of extrication equipment and rope rescue systems, but it also puts us in the position to offer a wider range of high-quality rescue products to our customers at an affordable price.” Smith added. “This acquisition further supports our efforts to provide the best in class rescue systems to our global market.”

Upon completion of the acquisition, the RescueStrut line of equipment will be marketed under the AMKUS brand, and distributed by AMKUS and 911 Tool distributors within their existing territories. 911 Tools will move from its current Lansing, IA home to the newly completed AMKUS World Headquarters in Valparaiso, IN.

For more information on AMKUS or to find a dealer in your area, please visit amkus.com or call (800) 59-AMKUS.