When the Columbus (Ohio) Division of Fire (CDF) decided to make a large apparatus purchase, it saw an opportunity to change how it did business.
For years, the CDF had bought apparatus through one-time contracts. “This time around, we went for a 3-year contract with two 1-year extensions with price adjustments,” says Captain David Ringley, who heads up the CDF’s Research and Development Department. “This seemed to gives us an edge on getting a better deal.”
The result: a multiyear deal with Ferrara for 18 apparatus, nine of which have been delivered and are working well for the department.
Going to Bid
CDF engines generally stay in frontline service for 6 years, then 3 years in reserve; ladders frontline for 10 years and 4 years in reserve; heavy-rescues frontline for 7 years with 3 in reserve; and medic units frontline for 5 years and 3 in reserve.
“Our engines get a lot of use, since they’re all ALS units and have a paramedic on board,” Ringley says. “Usually they have in excess of 160,000 miles when they’re put in reserve status, so they get a good workout.”
In 2006, the CDF began the process of speccing the new engines, as well as an air-supply unit. The apparatus design committee consists of 10 members–firefighters, chiefs and officers from all areas of the department. “We liked the fact that we can have the average firefighter on the street have some say in the design of our vehicles and still meet the budget,” Ringley says.
Once the specs were selected, the bidding process began. “Even though we have a state contract process, our city attorney likes us to go out for competitive bidding for all of our purchases,” Ringley says. “This time around we received five bids from four different manufacturers.”
The department wanted to standardize its apparatus with one cab and chassis, lighting package and compartment layout. “Since we couldn’t specify a certain manufacturer for the cab and chassis, all the manufacturers bid with a Spartan chassis and their own body. Ferrara turned out to be the lowest bidder, and we chose them because they best met our needs and price,” Ringley says.
The contract covers eight engines and the air-supply unit–also supplied on a Spartan cab and chassis–delivered in the first year, seven engines in the second year and two engines in the third year.
Big Changes
For some CDF companies, the new engines will be a big change. Many had operated pumpers based on commercial chassis; these will be the first they’ve operated on a custom chassis.
There are also other changes. “Based on tactics and staffing needs, these engines have low ergonomic hosebeds for increased firefighter safety and larger compartmentation designed for the CDF’s specific tool configurations,” Ringley says. The cab interiors were built for extreme wear and tear, with very little plastic used. The rigs feature painted front bumpers rather than chrome, triple LED light bars on the roofs of the cabs, T-shaped water tanks (which gives the vehicles a lower hosebed), full Weldon multi-plex wiring systems, a shorter wheelbase and a lower profile.
The first eight pumpers were built with 425-hp Detroit Series 60 engines; the next seven will have 425-hp Cummins engines, and the last two will have 2010 Cummins EPA-compliant engines. All have Allison EVS 4000 automatic transmissions, 1,250-gpm Waterous pumps and 750-gallon poly tanks. “We haven’t gone with any foam tanks yet,” Ringley says.
The pumpers are set up with 1,000 feet of 5″ large-diameter hose (LDH), 500 feet of 2 ½”, 500 feet of 3″ and 250 feet of 2″ hose in the crosslay. Also on board is 100 feet of 1 ¾” hose, a bumper-mounted trash line and two 1 ¾” attack lines–200 feet and 250 feet, respectively.
The vehicles were specced with all new equipment, and Ferrara completed all of the tool and equipment mounting at the factory. “When the vehicles were delivered to the city, they were pretty much ready to go into service, with some minor adjustments,” Ringley says. “This saved us a great deal of time.”
Service during and after the sale was “paramount to us,” Ringley says. “We visited the factory for a pre-construction conference, a mid-build inspection and a final inspection. They were very responsive. Some minor changes were made to the vehicles during the bid process, but they were handled without a problem.”
Following delivery, the only problem involved a suspension component, which was a vendor problem. “It was taken care of immediately,” Ringley says. “We’re lucky we have a local Ferrara dealer that provides service, as well as a Spartan service center not far from our city that can provide additional service.”
A Good Example
The CDF spent a great deal of time pre-planning for this large order, working out the details before the construction. I’m seeing a lot more apparatus committees that include representatives from all levels of the department. This proved effective for the CDF and has worked for other departments as well, but it can sometimes backfire–having too many opinions in the mix can be a detriment. But it’s all dependent on what’s right for you and your department.
Other factors of note in the CDF purchase: Not everyone can afford to spec a full complement of tools and equipment and have them mounted at the factory before delivery, but if you can, it will save you a great deal of time and possibly money in the long run.
Planning a lower hosebed for firefighter safety, a shorter wheelbase for better maneuverability, and compartment space for proper tool placement and mounting is a proactive plus for the CDF.
Finally, service after the sale is an important aspect of any apparatus purchase. Make sure the apparatus manufacturer you choose gives you the most for your dollar.
Columbus Division of Fire
- 1,522 uniformed firefighters
- Area protected: 240 square miles
- Population protected: 791,868
- 34 engines
- 15 trucks
- 5 heavy-rescues
- 32 medic units
