• KME has received a purchase order from the City of New York for 2,000-gpm pumper trucks. The engines are an award from a 2012 bid that allows FDNY to purchase units through November of 2015. According to John J. Kovatch III, KME president and CEO, “I’m excited about this new relationship. We’ve studied FDNY’s needs and waited for the right time. Our team has met with city personnel several times, and I’m confident that we’re a natural fit for them. I believe that our location; high level of product customization; and dedication to quality, service, and support will make us a valued, long-term supplier of apparatus.” The engines will be built for FDNY on a KME Severe Service chassis with a stainless steel split tilt cab.
• ONSPOT OF NORTH AMERICA is celebrating 25 years in business during 2013. The company (ONA) purchased the North American marketing rights to the Swedish invention in 1988. Now entering 2013, Onspot has just completed its best year in history despite budget cutbacks on the municipality side of the business, Onspot’s biggest market. Today, Onspot Automatic Tire Chains can be found as a factory installed option from 211 OEMs and more than 1,400 Onspot dealers throughout North America. “With thousands and thousands sold every year, we have come a long way since 1988 when the company sold a grand total of 126 sets of Onspots, and no, we did not make any money that year,” says Patrick Freyer, president.
• E-ONE supplied the St. Pete Fire Department, St. Pete Beach, Florida, with an HP 78 ladder. The aerial features ALS cabinets with an a/c unit, automatic locks, roll-out trays, and tool boards. The lockable cabinets with a/c unit allow personnel to keep critical medical supplies safely locked and stored at required temperatures. The truck also offers the department, which responds to a variety of calls including to 62 high-rise buildings, a short wheelbase.
• R•O•M Corporation has acquired Fire Research Corporation (FRC). FRC will become a subsidiary of R•O•M and maintain its presence in Nesconset, New York. FRC Founder Jack McLoughlin, along with his two other partners, Toh Meng and Neocles Athanasiades, will continue in their current roles at FRC. Meng will assume the role of president of R•O•M’s Electrical Component Division. The transaction allows both companies to share best practices and continue to develop market-leading products. All FRC operations, including sales, customer service, engineering, and production, will remain based in Nesconset, New York. The acquisition continues R•O•M’s long-term strategic initiative of growth through acquisitions, new product introduction, geographic expansion, and strategic partnerships.
• STIHL INC. is the exclusive handheld outdoor power equipment sponsor of Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW), a network of professionals with first responder skill sets. The volunteers provide their expertise, in the United States and abroad, when natural disasters strike and augment local resources with the goal of accelerating relief efforts. STIHL, recognized as the “Official Chain Saw” during missions including relief for Hurricane Sandy victims, also provides equipment training in preparation for the local and international missions as part of the relationship.
• FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS has completed construction of its new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing plant. The new manufacturing plant is less than a mile move and will be equipped with manufacturing and finishing equipment that will allow Fort Garry Fire Trucks to maintain its position as a leading manufacturer of fire apparatus in Canada. The facility will also house its rubber manufacturing division, its fire truck parts sales, and its fire truck service/mobile service division.
• ACTION TRAINING SYSTEMS (ATS) is entering its 25th year as a training resource to more than 7,500 emergency response organizations worldwide, including those in the fire service and most recently EMS providers and industrial facilities. Initially, ATS training programs were geared toward fire service training and delivered strictly on VHS. Then its program delivery evolved to DVD, and ATS was one of the first to deliver computer-based training (CBT) on an interactive learning management system in 1996. This year, ATS makes it possible for departments and organizations to choose a delivery to fit their specific needs by making its high-resolution, interactive video training programs available through a cloud-based online learning platform. ATS credits much of its success over the years to its partnership with IFSTA/FPP. The ATS content development team collaborates with IFSTA/FPP subject matter experts and editorial staff to ensure the precision of its companion products.
