Industry News

SMEAL FIRE APPARATUS CO. has acquired the assets of LTI, including LTI ladders, platforms and tractor-drawn aerials, Squrt and TeleSqurt boom-ladders and Snorkel articulating aerial platforms. The acquisition enhances Smeal’s product offering to the fire service, adding an extensive line of aerial apparatus to the company’s line of steel aerial ladders, platforms and tillers.

“LTI has an outstanding reputation in aerial apparatus dating back to decades and decades, but it’s the exceptional reliability, safety and design features of their current products which make them an outstanding addition to the Smeal aerial product offering,” said Mark Huber, Smeal’s president. “This acquisition provides our customers with more choices, and it provides additional opportunities for us to serve urban aerial customers who are looking for the reliability, performance and packaging of the LTI, Squrt, TeleSqurt and Snorkel lines.”

He added, “Our first priority is to support the many fire departments that have LTI, Squrt, Telesqurt and Snorkel aerials in their fleets today. Now, Smeal has brought these products into our company for the long term. As a result, we understand the need to quickly provide parts and service support for these customers. We will be supporting them through an experienced aftermarket team and comprehensive parts support program with local service available through Smeal’s nationwide network of dealers.”

As part of the acquisition, Smeal acquired the technical data files for units sold previously to help ensure continuity of service LTI, Telesqurt, Squrt and Snorkel customers.

Also, Smeal has been awarded a contract by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to provide aerial and platform apparatus to members of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) through the distribution and service center, New England Fire Equipment and Apparatus (NEFEA). Smeal will offer FCAM custom-built aerials, platforms, pumpers and tractor-drawn aerial apparatus.

TARGETSOLUTIONS, a provider of online training for the fire service, has renewed its partnership with International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) for the 2014 Training Officer Recognition Award. The award recognizes an individual who demonstrates a significant role in firefighter training through a commitment to best practices and operational effectiveness. The award will be announced at the VCOS annual meeting on Aug. 14 during Fire-Rescue International in Dallas.

ROSENBAUER has announced that the Alaska sales territory will now be handled by General Fire Apparatus (GFA), whose sales and service territory also includes Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho and western Montana. GFA has assigned Peter Leibfried as apparatus sales contact for Alaska.

ELKHART BRASS has named Gregg Brennecke vice president of operations. He brings to Elkhart 20-plus years of senior operations management experience for international organizations, including Boeing, Quixote and, most recently, Weil-McLain. While serving as vice president of global operations for Weil-McLain, Brennecke managed nine foundries between the United States and China.

“My philosophy has always been that quality comes from every person, material and process a company employs to produce the final product,” he said. “There’s always room for improvement and producing the best products possible at Elkhart is my goal.”

KME and METZ FIRE AND RESCUE have been awarded a contract from the City of Ottawa, Ontario, Fire Department for 12 custom pumpers. The award is part of a multi-year contract from which KME and Metz have already delivered a dozen engines.

The units will be built on KME’s Predator Severe Service chassis. The pumping system includes a top-mount pump panel with a 1,500-gpm pump, cold-weather package for extreme winter environments, 600/20 gallons of water/foam and a Class A foam system. The body was custom designed to meet the unique needs of the fire department. The body features customized storage for each piece of equipment, all enclosed to protect equipment from the elements. The pre-connects are set up at the rear of the apparatus on one common panel for ease of hookup and replacement. The hoseload is protected by a hinged treadplate cover with a lowered section for large-diameter supply hose. The top of the apparatus is accessed from an ergonomic ladder for safe climbing.

Also, KME and NAFECO have received an order for seven custom pumpers and two 103-foot rear-mount ladders from Augusta Fire in Georgia. The pumpers will be built on KME’s Predator Severe Service chassis, designed for high-volume fleets, and feature a 450-hp engine, 1,500-gpm stage pump, Class A foam system and a KME Challenger body. The AerialCat ladders are on the same chassis with a 500-hp engine, 2,000-gpm pump, 500-gallon water tank and 10-kilowatt generator. The units will join six KME pumpers currently in production and a 103-foot AerialCat already in service at the department.

CUMMINS INC. announced that Jeff Jones, vice president-North American Engine Business and marketing communications, retired from the company on June 30.

"While we are excited for Jeff as he heads toward a well-deserved retirement, the company will miss his leadership,” said Rich Freeland, president-Engine Business, and vice president-Cummins Inc. “Jeff has had a tremendous impact throughout his career on countless Cummins customers, employees and the North American truck industry as a whole.”

Jones joined Cummins in 1977 as a regional service manager, after beginning his career as an application engineer at General Motors. From early in his Cummins career, Jones has worked in customer-facing roles, including service, field sales and support, OEM account management, market communications and national accounts.

“I am extremely grateful to have spent 37 years with this great company, and am honored to have helped Cummins achieve its leading position in North America,” Jones said. “More than anything else, I will miss working with my industry colleagues and customers, as well as the many talented employees at Cummins."

Succeeding Jones in the leadership of the North American Engine Business will be Amy Boerger, who will be responsible for national accounts, field sales and support and the North American On- and Off-Highway OEM Business. Boerger joined Cummins in 1984 after graduating from Valparaiso University with a degree in mechanical engineering. During her 30-year career, she has held roles in automotive marketing, field sales and service, OEM account management and Cummins Emission Solutions aftermarket business. Boerger most recently was general manager-Field Sales and Support.

Lori Thompson will assume a new position as vice president-Engine Business Marketing, and will have responsibility for global marketing, marketing communications and emerging-growth opportunities. Her most recent position was vice president-Truck and Bus Engine Business. Thompson graduated from Carleton College with an undergraduate degree in economics and holds a master’s degree in business finance/marketing from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She joined Cummins in 1979 as a planning specialist, and has held roles in marketing, logistics, plant management, quality, parts and Cummins ReCon business.

USSC GROUP has announced that Dan Veselsky has joined the company to develop and foster national accounts in the fire and emergency vehicle industries.

Christian Hammarskjold, CEO of USSC Group, said, “Dan’s experience and incredible industry knowledge make him a key addition to our team...As we continue to grow and innovate, Dan’s entrepreneurial attitude and exceptional reputation will play a key role in our success. Dan will be an integral part of USSC’s commitment to expanding our presence in the fire and emergency vehicle industry where we will continue to introduce innovative seating solutions to the marketplace.”

SPARTAN ERV (Emergency Response Vehicles) and EMERGENCY VEHICLE GROUP INC. (EVG) have received an order from the Riverside County, CA, Fire Department for 14 custom fire apparatus. The 14 units mark the first in a recently signed five-year contract between Spartan ERV, EVG and Riverside County.

“Riverside County, California, is one of the largest counties in the United States, covering over 7,000 square miles with a very diverse set of needs, from wildfire to suburban home, with over 1,000 units in service,” said Bill Doebler, vice president of sales at Spartan ERV. “This contract will be a launch point for Spartan ERV’s West Coast growth.”

The Spartan ERV pumpers will be built on Spartan Metro Star chassis and include the Advanced Protection System (APS) from Spartan Chassis. The Star Series urban interface engine features an aluminum body custom designed to meet the needs of the fire department. The contract marks the first Spartan ERV units in Riverside Country’s fleet.

Also, Spartan ERV has received an additional 14 unit order from Cuerpo General de Bomberos Voluntarios del Peru (the General Body of the Peruvian Volunteer Fire Department) in Lima, Peru, as an addenda to a 56-unit order secured in October 2013. It is the largest fire apparatus order in Spartan Motors’ corporate history. The entire 70-unit order will consist of Spartan ERV pumpers built on Spartan Metro Star chassis.

In addition, Spartan Motors has delivered 12 units, including a 136-foot TelStar aerial apparatus, to Celulosa Arauco y Constitucion (Arauco) in Santiago, Chile. TelStar features a 136-foot telescopic and articulated aerial platform capable of an “up, over and down” range of motion to navigate around parapets for roof rescues, clear power lines and trees for access and provide for below-grade rescues. TelStar is a product of Spartan-Gimaex Innovations LLC, a joint venture with French apparatus manufacturer Gimaex.

HALE PRODUCTS INC. has hired Christine Tarro as customer service manager – North America, responsible for the North America customer service and technical service teams. She has more than 24 years of experience in customer service.

 “As Hale Products continues to enhance its customers’ experiences, we are excited to bring someone with Christine’s experiences into the Hale family,” said Bruce Lear, vice president of global sales.