The Apparatus Architects: Manufacturers Roundtable for Apparatus Safety Issues
In this installment of the Apparatus Architects, Tom Shand and Michael Wilbur present a roundtable discussion on the current state of the fire apparatus industry with representatives with several manufacturers. This roundtable focuses on firefighter safety in all aspects of the apparatus design and use.
Manufacturer representatives include Keithy Purdy with American LaFrance; Jim Salmi with Crimson Fire Apparatus; Allan Hollister with E-ONE, Jason Witmier with KME and Jim Featherstone with Pierce.
Topics for this podcast include: improvements to apparatus design for firefighter safety and the affects of government regulations on the industry. The current trends in pumper design, including standardization and streamlining are discussed as well as the increasing costs of apparatus construction.
Please send any suggestions, questions or comments, to: [email protected].
Related Links:
• American LaFrance
• Crimson Fire
• E-ONE
• KME
• Pierce Manufacturing
• Emergency Vehicle Response
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.