Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment

Buying a fire apparatus is rarely a simple transaction. When you drop $1 million on a new pumper, treating the process as an adversarial negotiation or a cold corporate exchange stalls progress and damages outcomes. Experienced departments shift from viewing builders as simply vendors to establishing genuine partnerships with manufacturers, component suppliers, and local dealers. Trust starts with the initial sales interaction and deepens on the factory floor. When chiefs and apparatus committees ditch the hostility, they foster open communication with contract administrators, engineers, and part suppliers. That rapport matters when specs need tweaking or warranty parts need overnighting. Ultimately, mutual respect turns a stressful procurement cycle into a collaborative effort to deliver a reliable frontline rig. This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com This episode is brought to you by RESCUE Intellitech :https://www.rescueintellitech.com/en-us/products/solo-rescue/?utm_source=clarion-fire-apparatus-emer...

Fire departments need strong relationships with both elected officials and equipment manufacturers to protect funding, make informed purchasing decisions, and meet operational needs. Chris Mc Loone shares key takeaways from the Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association (FEMSA) annual meeting, covering two issues that matter to fire departments: advocating for federal funding and building stronger relationships with equipment manufacturers. Chris discusses the importance of educating elected officials about the SAFER and Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) programs, particularly as new members of Congress take office. He also explores why successful equipment purchases depend on more than price and product specifications. Drawing on his own experience, Chris explains how trust, flexibility, and an understanding of local operating conditions can help departments and manufacturers work together to find solutions. From purchasing PPE and SCBA to specifying fire apparatus and providing feedback on new products, the goal is a lasting partnership that benefits both the fire service and the industry. The message is simple: Be a partner, not a customer. Subscribe to Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment for more discussions on apparatus, equipment, technology, and fire service operations. This episode is brought to you by RESCUE Intellitech: https://www.rescueintellitech.com/en-us/products/solo-rescue/?utm_source=clarion-fire-apparatus-emer... This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com

As fire apparatus manufacturers continue reducing backlogs, departments are beginning to see shorter lead times and more delivery capacity across the industry. In this episode of the FAMA Forum, FAMA President Jason Witmier and Marketing Committee Co-Chair Adam Graves join Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Editor-in-Chief Chris Mc Loone to discuss 2026 fire apparatus ordering and delivery trends, program truck options, refurbishment strategies, and what departments should expect heading into 2027. The discussion also examines upcoming EPA 2027 emissions standards, how new engine requirements could affect apparatus design, potential impacts on compartment space and vehicle packaging, and why manufacturers and engine suppliers are still working through implementation timelines. Topics include fire truck lead times, apparatus purchasing trends, program trucks, apparatus refurbishments, factory expansions, engine updates, and planning for future fleet replacement needs.

Modern fire departments face massive challenges. Chris Mc Loone explores the importance of EVTs, how manufacturers are working to bring lead times down while offering options to get fire departments their rigs faster and how technology is playing a role in fleet maintenance. He highlights historical resilience—such as FDNY mechanics piecing together damaged rigs to maintain city coverage after 9/11—and modern solutions, like regional EVT networking and mobile repair units used during California wildfires. On the manufacturing front, companies are investing hundreds of millions into plant expansions, automated processes, and stock programs to shave months off delivery schedules. Looking ahead to upcoming technology shifts, McLoone examines how predictive maintenance tools, connected vehicle diagnostics, and data collection are transforming fleet management.

In this episode Chris McLoone and Ricky Riley lay out practical, frontline advice for fire departments to work smarter with apparatus manufacturers. They cover the true cost and operational impact of late change orders, when dealer vs OEM work makes sense, setting expectations early, building a contingency “bank” into your budget, and sticking to proven specs when speed matters. They also discuss the salesperson’s role as advocate and demo vs. custom builds.