Of the thousands of fire apparatus purchased in North America each year, about 30 to 40 percent are mounted on a commercial chassis. “Commercial chassis” is simply the U.S. fire apparatus industry’s—and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association’s (FAMA’s)—term to describe any truck chassis not specifically designed for emergency service use, e.g. Ford, Navistar, Freightliner, Mack, Continue reading
Lithium ion batteries have entrenched themselves in our everyday lives. From cell phones to laptops to cameras to passenger vehicles, lithium ion batteries have transitioned from “future technology” to technology of today. Lithium ion technology has significantly evolved in the last decade and is now a viable option on fire apparatus. Before we get into Continue reading
Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) member companies are dedicated to producing safety products that automate processes used in the industry that truly simplify and create a safer working environment. FAMA, the Fire Department Safety Officers Association, and other safety associations have been promoting more and more seminars at their conferences, teaching the science of automation Continue reading
The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) is a safety-driven organization. FAMA companies and their members make end-user-driven contributions through multiple industry channels. Development of complimentary FAMA Buyer’s Guides, participation of its members on the FAMA technical committees, which make recommendations to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards councils; educational outreach of FAMA member companies partnering Continue reading
Like many industries, technology has made a significant impact on fire truck design and manufacturing, including the selection of apparatus color and graphics. The advancements and resources developed by the dedicated members of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) have helped put the most technologically advanced, functional, and safe fire apparatus and equipment into service Continue reading
Emergency responders and public safety agencies are uniquely impacted by the advent of new technologies and trends in transportation, communication, and city management. While other industries and markets can transform or disappear as new technologies emerge, emergency responders must continuously adapt their practices, tools, and protocols to remain effective to the communities they serve. The Continue reading
Large-scale evacuations in both metropolitan and rural areas during a major flood event can prove to be more than difficult. Evacuating a subdivision is one thing but, imagine evacuating an entire city of more than a million. The challenges can quickly overwhelm local first responders. Standard fire apparatus can prove to be less than adequate Continue reading
Wildland fire apparatus design and production have changed drastically, as have all apparatus with the ever-advancing automobile industry. Over the span of the past few decades, the standard has moved from repurposed trucks to engineered, precision wildland fire apparatus. Today, members of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) are taking the lead to design and Continue reading
The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association’s (FAMA) core mission is to protect and advance the interests of the fire and emergency services community, a critical pillar of American safety and security. Every day in the United States firefighters, police officers, and other first responders navigate busy highways and roads to respond to car accidents, 911 calls, Continue reading
The Fire Apparatus Manufacturing industry is rapidly evolving. The trucks of today are more powerful, more precise, and have more sophisticated electrical and mechanical systems than the trucks of years past. As trucks continue to evolve, the specification, purchasing, and maintenance processes do as well. It is important for agencies of any size to fully Continue reading