The future of fire apparatus - from E-One

[BlitzfireSolo]

My department is looking at buying a new engine, and I was wondering if anybody had any experience with these:


Seriously though...anybody know what the heck is up with this new advertising scheme?

http://www.e-one.com/index.asp?n=113&p=2&s=97

The only remotely innovative thing I see on there is the tilt table testing - which is most likely going to become an NFPA standard in pretty short order. Everything else seems totally random - what do firefighter safety, getting to the fire faster, and mobile home fires have to do with eachother?

Seems like they're trying to keep up with Pierce in advertising sensation....but as much as I am bothered by Pierce's marketing, the one thing that I can say is that they are GOOD at it.....E-One doesn't seem to have quite captured it.

[lvwrench]

Looks like E-One may have made a deal with the folks over at Area 51 for some new innovations in rocket powered levitating vehicles.

[oaattx934]

Do you just go flintstones style braking or what?

[Firefighter807]

Content deleted by author.

[firepiper1]

I was told that E-One will be doing an unveiling at FDIC.

It's funny how the opinions regarding apparatus manufacturers differ regionally. There are quite a few E-One's around here with many repeat customers.

[JH420KK]

Confused

I too noticed how E-One has nothing new, there web-site seems to be more for their own dealers than customers. I think the "floating" fire truck might have something to do with their mother-company (Fed-Sig). Looks like they acquired some type of computer based dispatch / software outfit. Maybe they've found a better way to "send" apparatus to the scene?? - Whatever they are trying to convey...sure isn't coming over very well. (Marketing-101?)

[BlitzfireSolo]

I was told that E-One will be doing an unveiling at FDIC.

Maybe they will unveil 17 new Bronto's, just like they did last year at FDIC.


807 - Are you saying that ALF is in the same boat as E-One in that they aren't making money, or that they haven't had any recent innovation?

[firepiper1]

I dont see how apparatus manufacturers can brag about innovative ideas. Designs, construction methods and vehicle operation are based on NFPA standards. Recent chassis changes were made due to the EPA's 2007 engine standards. Multiplexing, crash worthiness, airbags, roomier cab designs, automatic transmissions etc were borrowed from the over the road trucking industry. CAFS was introduced by the pump manufacturers and roll up doors came from Europe. Darley has the Poly Body, but that hasnt really caught on nationwide. But wait, I forgot those "folding steps"....... Yeah, lets make the cab higher for the firefighters wearing 80 pounds of gear. Now thats an innovative idea!

[ecfr1978]

Rumor has it that they are going to unveil a new 75' ladder.

Why do they need innovations? They might have a few flaws, but every mfg does. Last I heard they keep making trucks and people keep buying them. I might be wrong but wasn't E-One one of the first to offer 500 gal and a 75' ladder on a single rear axle. Weren't they also the first with a 12' jack spread.

[NewJerseyFFII]

Rumor has it that they are going to unveil a new 75' ladder.

Why do they need innovations? They might have a few flaws, but every mfg does. Last I heard they keep making trucks and people keep buying them. I might be wrong but wasn't E-One one of the first to offer 500 gal and a 75' ladder on a single rear axle. Weren't they also the first with a 12' jack spread.

I would like to see E-One unveil a new 2007 75' Midmount Tower Ladder, I think it would be a great seller for them !..

[FyredUp]

Actually the idea of powering a fire engine with a turbine engine is about 47 years old. In 1960 American LaFrance supplied the City of San Francisco with a Turbo-Chief Pumper that was powered by a Boeing gas turbine engine.

No, it did not hover or fly at all but it was a turbine engine.

So once again fact is stranger than some made up ad hype.

FyredUp

[chiefengineer11]

ALF Turbo-Chief

Someone in the D.C. area, I think Mt. Vernon, Va. also had one. I don't think it was too successful. I believe that it got converted to a 2-cycle Detroit. I'm pretty certain that there was a third one, but I don't recall where it was.

Stay safe out there, everyone goes home!

[RFDACM02]

Why do they need innovations? They might have a few flaws, but every mfg does.

I really don't care how innovative a manufacturer is. I still like reliability and qulaity service as deciding factors. We actaully stay away from most "innovations" until they've been proven. True someone has to the first, just not us. We've seen to many failed innovations. In a small dept. where every truck has to be on the road and the taxpayers take note when they're out of service, innovation takes a backseat to proven reliability. Sadly reliability is hard to prove given the speed at which the electronics have been introduced to every facet of an apparatus. Then we look at service.

[SFD_E73_RET]

E-One and ALF are now in the same league. Gustafson's last hurrah at LaFrance was the lowest nonrevenue quater since its "ressurection". Now, he thinks moving the plant a few blocks down the street is going to "ressurect" E-One.

How about paying your dealers for warranty to work to start?

How about building a decent product again?

E-One = E-Won't!

I don't think I'd lump ALF and E-One together, they are heading in different directions.

Alf is heading up.

[madmanmartin]

My department is looking at buying a new engine, and I was wondering if anybody had any experience with these:

Maybe judging from the ad, they might have gotten the contract with Starfleet Command from Star Trek