Ferrara showcasing several new apparatus’ at FDIC 2022

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Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc., a subsidiary of REV Group, is exhibiting the latest in fire apparatus and technology, including the first North American style fully electric fire truck at FDIC International.

REV Fire Group’s Vector will make its debut at FDIC yesterday, allowing attendees to see and learn about the first North American style fully electric fire truck.

Developed with technology partner Emergency One Group LTD – maker of the world’s first EV fire truck – Vector packs 316 kW of proven automotive-grade batteries to deliver the longest electric pumping duration in the industry. This enables fire departments to drive and pump on electric only.

Ferrara will display the following products at Booth #4101: Cinder Custom Pumper from Gary (IN) Fire Department, Igniter Custom from Jackson (NJ) Fire District, MVP Rescue Pumper from Jackson Township (IN) Fire Department, and Custom Pumper from Shreveport (LA) Fire Department.
“At Ferrara, every truck is authentic, just like our team and we look forward to seeing you at FDIC,” said Kent Tyler, President of REV Fire Group. “We are extremely excited and proud to share the Ferrara story and show off our line-up of heavy-duty fire trucks this year at FDIC.”

Rev Fire Group unveils Vector at FDIC 2022

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REV Fire Group, which includes REV GroupInc. manufacturers of fire apparatus E-ONE, KME, Ferrara, Spartan Fire Chassis, Spartan Emergency Response, Smeal, and Ladder Tower, will debut Vector, the first North American-style fully electric fire truck, during FDIC International (Fire Department Instructors Conference) in Indianapolis, Indiana from April 28-30, 2022.

The new electric fire truck is innovatively engineered so firefighters can drive and pump on electric power only. Developed with technology partner Emergency One Group LTD – maker of the world’s first EV fire truck – this new electric fire truck packs 316 kW of proven automotive-grade batteries to deliver the longest electric pumping duration in the industry. Vector performs 100 percent of fire ground duties on 100 percent electric with unrivaled performance, range, and efficiency.

Designed with the same components that are used on diesel-driven fire apparatus, Vector’s electric motor takes the place of the diesel engine, driving the pump or the rear axle in normal split shaft operation. Its low center of gravity battery placement provides better cornering with more predictable handling and is safer in a crash.

“We’re excited for Vector to debut at FDIC. We developed the ultimate fully electric fire truck without sacrificing the critical elements that firefighters value in the North American style, responding to our customer demand for cleaner technology, reduced noise pollution and lower carbon footprint. We look forward to sharing this with everyone at FDIC and the world,” stated Kent Tyler, President of REV Fire Group.

A special launch event will be held at REV Fire Group’s World of Innovation and Protection at Booth #4516 during FDIC at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 28 and Friday, April 29, and to mark the debut of Vector and to demonstrate other technological innovations, including:

Approximately 20 vehicles in various configurations will be showcased from the fire brands.

Ferrara welcomes R&R fire truck repair to its dealer network

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Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc., a subsidiary of REV Group and a manufacturer of custom built, heavy-duty fire apparatus, announces the addition of R&R Fire Truck Repair to its nationwide dealer network.

R&R Fire Truck Repair, Inc. has added the Ferrara product line at its full-service centers in Northville, MI with service technicians located in LaSalle and Alpena. Established in 1992, the modern facility offers sales, service, parts, repairs and more. R&R has been serving the fire apparatus and emergency vehicle industry for 30 years.

“We are excited to bring the Ferrara product line to the Michigan fire service and support the apparatus with parts and service,” said Rick Roselle, Vice President of R&R Fire Truck Repair.

“R&R brings a wealth of knowledge with their many years of experience. We are delighted they are our partner in the great state of Michigan,” said Jason Louque, Director of Sales, Ferrara.

The company is also a Spartan Emergency Response and Smeal dealer for Michigan, both REV Group subsidiaries.

Pierce to showcase electric fire trucks at FDIC 2022

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Pierce Manufacturing Inc will showcase an extensive selection of the latest fire apparatus and technology developments at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 28-30, 2022.

A main feature will be North America’s first-in-service and fully U.S. manufactured electric fire truck – the Pierce Volterra Pumper. Attendees will find Pierce’s display in the north end zone of Lucas Oil Stadium (booth #8807), which will feature 14 fire trucks and interactive opportunities to learn about the latest product and technology innovations.

“The past year has been monumental for our company in advancing our objective to create the most progressive solutions in fire apparatus safety and efficiency,” said Lisa Barwick, vice president of marketing for Pierce’s Fire and Emergency Segment. “We’re excited to welcome Fire Chief Steven Davis from The City of Madison Fire Department and EnTech Solutions to our 2022 FDIC booth. Visitors will have the opportunity to hear first-hand from these representatives about the performance of the Pierce Volterra electric pumper, its charging infrastructure, and the impact on reducing emissions and improving firefighter safety; all with no compromise on features, performance, or functionality.”

Pierce’s Volterra Electric Fire Truck Display to Include:

  • Two electric pumpers and charging infrastructure solutions
  • North America’s first-in-service electric fire truck – The City of Madison, Wisconsin Fire Department’s Volterra electric pumper
    -City of Madison Fire Department’s recently retired Chief Steven Davis, and Assistant Chief Scott Bavery will be on-site and available for Q&A
  • Portland, Oregon Fire & Rescue’s Pierce Volterra electric pumper
    -Pierce’s expert engineers will be available to discuss features, customizations, and attributes of the U.S.made electric fire apparatus
  • EnTech Solutions electric vehicle charging infrastructure – Pierce has partnered with EnTech Solutions, an expert in energy solutions provider from concept to installation, and representatives will be on-site at Pierce’s FDIC booth to discuss: 
    -The impact of EV charging on a fire station
    -The best options for the individual site
    -ROI opportunities with renewable energy
    -Available grants/incentives
    -Costs and anticipated lead times
    -Ongoing support  

Additional Technology and Latest Fire Truck Component Features on Display Will Include:

  • Introduction of the next generation in fire apparatus pump design and fire suppression upgrades with enhanced flow capabilities paired with unmatched serviceability and performance.
  • 100’ Heavy-Duty Low Profile Steel Aerial Ladder – Introduced in late 2021, this 100’ low profile steel ladder has an overall height as low as 10’ 10” with waterway, and 10’ 8” without waterway, a rated load capacity up to 750 lb in winds up to 35 mph with a 100 lb allowance of additional firefighting equipment at the ladder tip (while flowing up to 1500 gpm).
  • Pierce CZ Connect Fully Integrated Telematics Solution providing remote access to vehicle data from anywhere. Available in feature packages which provide the users’ desired level of dashboards for diagnostics, maintenance, operational overview, and more.
  • PACCAR MX-13 big block engine – available exclusively on Pierce Arrow XT, Enforcer, and Velocity custom chassis. PACCAR is known as a global leader in the design and manufacturer of diesel engines, and experts will be on-site at Pierce’s FDIC booth to discuss the industry-leading design attributes of the MX-13 engine.

Barwick continued, “The launch and North American placement of our new PierceVolterra  electric vehicle was an incredibly important event for our company, but certainly not the only Pierce innovation which has taken place in recent years. In our FDIC 2022 booth, we’re eager to showcase and help visitors learn more about the many advancements which have been made available as standard or custom features on some of our most in-demand fire apparatus.”

In addition to product and technology demonstrations, on Friday, April 29 at 1:00 pm (EDT), the opening ceremony for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) 9/11 Stair Climb event will take place at Pierce’s booth. The 9/11 Stair Climb is a way for attendees to honor and remember those in the fire service community who selflessly gave their lives, so that others might live. In past years, more than 700 FDIC participants in each event have paid tribute by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center.

Magirus delivers compact urban firefighting trucks to Italian province

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Eight Magirus urban fire-fighting vehicles were officially handed over to local fire brigades in Omegna on a special day full of institutional appointments.

The handover, which took place on April 2, 2022 in Omegna in the Italian Province Verbano-Cusio-Ossala (VCO), was in the presence of local authorities, the President of the Italian Firefighter Association, the Provincial Commander of the volunteer fire brigades VCO, the Presidents of the Cariplo Foundation and the VCO Community Foundation as well as representatives of local volunteer fire departments.

The eight Magirus CITY 2020 tank pumpers were handed over to the fire brigades of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. Magirus won the tender from the Italian Ministry of the Interior by offering its CITY 2020, a very compact urban fire-fighting vehicle. Andrea Mantoan, President of the local firefighter association “Vigili del Fuoco Volontari Sezione del VCO” said: “We chose the CITY 2020 for its versatility and compactness. Thanks to its short wheelbase, this fire engine can be manoeuvred with great ease. Magirus offered us the ideal combination of state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge performance”.

The CITY 2020 features the ‘Made in Brescia‘ double cab, the Iveco Eurocargo chassis, the high-performance fire pump (2,000 l/min at 10 bar and 350 l/min at 40 bar), a water tank with 2,200 litres and a foam tank with 120 litres.

Its compact measurements, large loading capacities, the short wheelbase of only 3,105 mm and the vehicle height of 3,100 mm improve its turning radius and lower its centre of gravity. These technical features make the vehicle complete, easy to manoeuvre and usable on a variety of operations.

The goal of the volunteer fire brigades to buy eight fire-fighting vehicles was ambitious, but thanks to the help of many it was achieved: the association of local volunteer fire brigades managed to raise the money needed to renew the vehicle fleet that was more than thirty years old. This success, made up of team spirit, a strong sense of belonging and love for the territory, has its roots in 2017.

In that year, the VCO association set up the foundation

“FONDO SOCCORSO SICURO” at the Community Foundation of the VCO to support volunteer fire brigades, with the main aim of replacing the outdated vehicle fleet.

The following year the project was put forward in the Cariplo Foundation’s call for proposals and the municipalities of the VCO were asked to cooperate. In 2019, the Cariplo Foundation and 74 municipalities raised the necessary funds. The contract for the purchase of the eight CITY 2020 Magirus fire-fighting vehicles was then signed.

Public and school buses in India mandated to get active fire protection system

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India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has mandated that all passenger and school buses will have to be equipped with a fire alarm system and fire protection system. The ministry has issued a notification that says the fire alarm system and fire protection system have been made mandatory for long-distance passenger transport and school buses through an amendment in the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS), across the entire country.

These buses will be equipped with a water mist-based active fire protection system and a standalone fire alarm system. This will be applied to the buses that have been designed to manage the temperature in the passenger compartment within 50 degrees Celsius. Fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems were so far meant for fires originating from the engine compartment, the Hindustan Times reported.


But the notification said that fire incidents indicate injuries to passengers mainly happen due to heat and smoke in the passenger compartment. The notification also said that these injuries can be prevented if the heat and smoke in the passenger compartment are controlled by providing an additional evacuation time to occupants by thermal management during fire incidents. 

The ministry said that this amendment to the automotive industry standard has been undertaken in consultation with stakeholders and experts from the Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety
(CFEES), a DRDO arm, working in fire risk assessment, fire suppression technologies, modelling, and simulation etc.

Magirus will not participate in Interschutz 2022

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In a major development, German truck manufacturer Magirus has announced it will not participate in this year’s Intershutz.

The firm said it made careful considerations, not to take part at the Interschutz 2022 exhibition and “allocate part of the planned investment to charitable initiatives in support of firefighters in the Ukrainian conflict”.

After two long years marked by the global pandemic, which has deeply depressed the business environment, the brand was already focusing its resources on the development of its “Next Generation Firefighting” portfolio.

A statement from Magirus added: “Now, the unexpected war in Ukraine is further impacting the whole automotive and firefighting industry. Issues ranging from chassis supply to logistics challenges and very significant cost increase acceleration require Magirus to take an even more decisive step in focusing on core activities: developing the best firefighting products and services to ‘serve heroes‘.”

The brand will continue its marketing efforts for the entire product portfolio through plans to conduct an roadshow, to participate at the September IAA Transportation event in Hannover, and to host an in-house Magirus fair in the latter part of the year on its home turf in Ulm, Germany.

Additionally, in light of the ongoing crisis, Magirus has donated two turntable ladders to firefighters in Ukraine and has decided to use part of the planned Interschutz investment where it can make an immediate positive impact, contributing to the German Fire Services Association’s charitable initiative in support of Ukraine. “Magirus remains more committed than ever to its clients, dealers, suppliers, and all its stakeholders and will start planning right away to find new direct and effective ways to engage with them on an ongoing basis,” the firm added.

FIA commends UK’s efforts towards Ukraine fire fighters

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The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has lauded the efforts of UK’s fire industry in its efforts to assist firefighters in Ukraine.

The FIA CEO Ian Moore said it has been an “honour and a humbling experience”. As he lauded members for contributing not just equipment but other resources as well.

“The whole of the fire industry has come together to support the UK deployment of aid through Fire Aid, our charity partner,” Moore said in an official statement on the FIA’s website.

“It has been both an honour and humbling experience to be part of a truly collaborative humanitarian response from the UK.  We are incredibly proud of our sector for their determined and unified effort to help the fire fighters of Ukraine,” he added.

Fire Aid and International Development (Fire Aid), along with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) are coordinating donations of more than 5,000 items of fire and rescue equipment and PPE which will be sent in convoy to Ukraine.  

Eighteen fire engines, thermal imaging cameras for finding victims, generators, lighting, hoses, rescue equipment, and thousands of sets of PPE are among the items being donated. Every fire service across the UK has stepped in to support these efforts.

Moore said: “Our members have donated time, money, and equipment to supporting the UK Fire Sector Humanitarian response, but most of all they have stood shoulder to shoulder, working alongside all of the great organisations, as a team with a clear objective: to help the fire fighters of Ukraine. We are all united in our desire to do this.”

UK fire services collect kits for Ukraine firefighters

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Fire services across the UK are donating thousands of items of kit and equipment to their counterparts in Ukraine.  

UK charity, FIRE AID and International Development (FIRE AID), and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) are coordinating donations of more than 5,000 items of fire and rescue equipment and PPE which will be sent in convoy to Ukraine.   

Eighteen fire engines, thermal imaging cameras for finding victims, generators, lighting, hoses, rescue equipment, and thousands of sets of PPE are among the items being donated. Every fire service across the UK has stepped in to support these efforts. 

The deployment of these donations is being supported by funding from the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the FIA Foundation, as well as through a public appeal via JustGiving – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/KeepUkraineFireFightersSafe

Following a successful scoping visit to Poland conducted by FIRE AID volunteers this week, an initial convoy of three fire engines and a lorry of PPE and rescue equipment will depart the UK today, led by the Scottish Emergency Rescue Association (SERA).  

FIRE AID is then coordinating a subsequent convoy consisting of 15 fire engines and two lorries of equipment, donated by fire services across the UK, which will depart on 19th March. 40 UK firefighters will join FIRE AID volunteers as part of the team driving the vehicles across Europe, where it will be received by the Polish State Fire Service and transferred to Ukraine.  

When it reaches Ukraine, the equipment will be used to support firefighters, emergency services and volunteers who are battling together on the front line, often using old or worn equipment. They are dealing daily with fires and other emergencies to protect lives, people and property as the invasion devastates the country.  

Claire Hoyland, project manager, FIRE AID said: “FIRE AID and its members have over 25 years of experience responding to requests for aid and support for emergency services in over 50 countries. Following the invasion of Ukraine, our members immediately mobilised to gather equipment and aid to donate to their Ukrainian counterparts. FIRE AID members have been working in partnership with the Ukrainian emergency services since 2012 and we are proud to be coordinating this unprecedented emergency response on behalf of the UK Fire Sector.” 

Priti Patel, Home Secretary, said: “The British Government and British people are standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and its citizens during this barbaric invasion. 

“I have been speaking regularly to my counterpart at Ukraine’s Interior Ministry and the Ukrainian Ambassador in London to understand what practical help we can offer. 

“We are helping to ensure that crucial fire and rescue equipment and PPE donated by Fire and Rescue Services will get to where it can directly provide succour to those brave firefighters, emergency services and volunteers on the front line in Ukraine.” 

Mark Hardingham, chair, National Fire Chiefs Council said: “As the terrible scenes unfold in Ukraine, the UK fire and rescue service is once again doing all it can to support those who urgently need help. The response has been incredible and it is testament to the public, private and voluntary sectors combining resources, enthusiasm and skills in response to the crisis. Thousands of items of kit and equipment – along with fire engines – have been donated to help the Ukrainian emergency services, battling together on the front line, as they strive to save lives and protect people and property.  

“I cannot express how proud I am of everyone who has come together to support this; from getting the equipment together, the hard work which has gone into ensuring the logistics of one of the largest convoys we have seen, to volunteering to be part of the journey itself. This is our sector at its very best – selflessly working together and supporting one other – ultimately helping and hoping to save lives.” 

The wider fire sector – including the MSA Safety, Fire Sector Federation (FSF), the Fire and Rescue Suppliers [FIRESA] Council and the Fire Industry Association (FIA) – are also key partners in supporting and making the deployment. 

Bronto Skylift launches North America’s tallest fire fighting aerial

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While the industrial access has been using large truck-mounted aerial platforms for wind turbines and such for a long time, the fire and rescue aerials have been limited to the heights of about 100-135ft.

North America fire services commonly use aerial ladders, that tend to have lower heights than the articulated aerial platforms with a solid steel boom as the main structure. Another limiting factor has perhaps been the size of larger, over 200-foot aerials, that can be bulky and difficult to navigate through ordinary city streets.

Bronto Skylift 230-foot articulated aerial platform, the Bronto F230RPX, is set to shakeup the aerial access market. The 230ft-working height is equivalent to 20 floors, and the aerial is compactly mounted on a Mack chassis. The previous maximum height of North American aerials, 135ft, corresponds to about 11 floors. In other words, the F230RPX enables nine floors more vertical reach for fire departments all over North America.

While there is a big increase to the operational rescue height, the reach can be seen in many different ways. Also the horizontal reach and so called up-and-over are much improved from what has traditionally been offered. Maximum horizontal reach is 105ft, while most of previous models offer less than 90ft. The capability to reach up and over for example the parapet walls and lower roofs is 34ft. Reach below grade from river banks and bridges is about 20ft.

The first unit was developed, designed, built and delivered in collaboration with 1200 Degrees, an experienced Bronto Skylift partner in Canada. 1200 Degrees will be the local service provider making sure the unit remains safe and ready to serve during the years to come