{"id":1869,"date":"2018-01-11T19:45:53","date_gmt":"2018-01-11T19:45:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.websitepreview.dev\/?p=1869"},"modified":"2020-09-30T13:03:27","modified_gmt":"2020-09-30T18:03:27","slug":"4-tips-for-purchasing-a-new-fire-truck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/4-tips-for-purchasing-a-new-fire-truck\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Tips for Purchasing a New Fire Truck"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A brand <a href=\"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/new-fire-trucks\/\">new fire apparatus<\/a> offers customizability along with the latest technology for serving your community.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But because a new apparatus is more expensive than a used fire truck, it is important to go through the purchasing process carefully to make sure you\u2019re making the wisest investment possible. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are 4 tips to help you select the right new fire truck for your department. <\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">#1: Do Your Homework on New Fire Trucks<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good planning is necessary throughout the entire purchase process for a new fire apparatus.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintain up-to-date knowledge of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firerescue1.com\/fire-products\/fire-apparatus\/articles\/2117871-How-to-buy-a-fire-truck\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NFPA standards<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or reach out to a dealer with thorough knowledge of the current requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research other fire departments in your area and departments of a comparable size to yours. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firerescue1.com\/fire-products\/fire-apparatus\/articles\/587954-How-to-Buy-Fire-Apparatus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are they buying<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and what experiences are they having with different types of fire trucks?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t just look at how vehicles perform when they\u2019re new &#8212; compare how they hold up over <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firerescue1.com\/fire-products\/fire-apparatus\/articles\/587954-How-to-Buy-Fire-Apparatus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5-10 years after purchase<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Look at which ones have a track record of lasting the longest with minimal maintenance problems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">#2: Establish Your Requirements for a New Fire Apparatus<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every department is unique in terms of personnel, equipment, fire suppression capabilities and community requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What tactical operations does your department perform? Assess how well your current fleet supports your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firerescue1.com\/fire-products\/fire-apparatus\/articles\/2117871-How-to-buy-a-fire-truck\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mission and community needs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. How are your needs changing, and how can you align the specs of your new vehicle to address them?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many people and how much equipment do you need to carry? The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firerescue1.com\/fire-products\/fire-apparatus\/articles\/2117871-How-to-buy-a-fire-truck\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your vehicle will carry, the less equipment it may fit on board, and vice versa. Carefully weigh the number of people who need to ride on a single apparatus versus the amount of equipment that needs to be on board. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fire suppression capabilities. On average, today\u2019s structure fires burn hotter and faster than in the past. An updated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firerescue1.com\/fire-products\/fire-apparatus\/articles\/2117871-How-to-buy-a-fire-truck\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">compressed air foam system<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (CAFS) is often superior to plain water in terms of heat reduction and quicker extinguishment. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Challenges of your district. Are the roads and bridges in your community able to support the load of a heavier truck, or will you need to make tradeoffs between weight and infrastructure capabilities? How much <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firerescue1.com\/fire-products\/fire-apparatus\/articles\/2117871-How-to-buy-a-fire-truck\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">training and preventive maintenance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will be required for the new apparatus? <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">#3: Compare Fire Apparatus Features<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some of the most important <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firerescue1.com\/fire-products\/fire-apparatus\/articles\/587954-How-to-Buy-Fire-Apparatus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">characteristics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you\u2019ll want to consider when comparing different fire apparatus for sale.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Materials and construction. Most fire apparatus cabs are built from aluminum, while truck bodies may come in a variety of materials including aluminum, stainless steel and more. You\u2019ll want to consider cost, corrosion resistance, strength, weight and safety when comparing your choices. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight. You apparatus must be strong enough to support the weight of the people and equipment on board. Determine the amount of weight the truck must be able to carry, and select an apparatus that can safely carry that amount without becoming overloaded and increasing your risk of an accident. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pump panel characteristics. Your pump panel must comply with NFPA standards. A simple, uncluttered design is best so that it\u2019s easy to use during an emergency. Gauges should be large and easy to read at a distance. The pump panel may be mounted on the side, top, rear or front of the vehicle, depending on what works best for your department. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proper mounting. You don\u2019t want loose equipment that can shift and cause damage while in transit. Instead, equipment should be securely mounted on or inside the vehicle. Include your equipment mounting requirements when defining initial specs at the beginning of the purchase cycle. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">#4: Stay in Touch<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communication is key when you\u2019re investing significant resources in a new emergency vehicle. Taking the time to develop a relationship with reputable fire truck dealers and fire apparatus manufacturers will help them provide you with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firerescue1.com\/fire-products\/fire-apparatus\/articles\/587954-How-to-Buy-Fire-Apparatus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">quality finished product<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit fire truck manufacturers if possible. Especially if you\u2019re new to purchasing fire apparatus, you\u2019ll want to talk to manufacturers and ask questions about their construction process and the materials they use. The higher quality construction you get, the longer your vehicle will last and the fewer maintenance problems you\u2019re likely to have, which will save your department money in the long run.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Factory visits. Remember, the earlier you catch mistakes, the easier and less expensive they are to fix. If you\u2019re having a new apparatus built to your specifications, visit the factory 2 or 3 times throughout the construction process. Double check materials and construction methods to ensure that the manufacturer is doing the job correctly. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you looking to purchase a <a href=\"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/new-fire-trucks\/\">new fire apparatus<\/a>? <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/contact\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Jon\u2019s Mid America. We\u2019ll answer your questions and provide information on our inventory of new fire trucks to help you choose the best vehicle for your department.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A brand new fire apparatus offers customizability along with the latest technology for serving your community. But because a new apparatus is more expensive than a used fire truck, it is important to go through the purchasing process carefully to make sure you\u2019re making the wisest investment possible. Here are 4 tips to help you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1877,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[733],"tags":[739,765],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1869"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1869"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1869\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1877"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}