Fire Department Funding

The Fire Service will be undergoing a transformation in the next few years that will impact every single fire department in the U.S. These issues will separate the survivors from the perished.

Issue #1: People will be a lot more expensive.

It doesn't matter if you are a paid, volunteer, or combination department. The costs of having fire fighters will be increasing at an alarming rate. And it isn't just payroll, it is the total expense of having people fight your fires.

The four trends for the higher costs are:

Payroll. If you pay your fire fighters, the cost of paying their salary will be increasing. Add to that the cost of insurance, workman's comp, and payroll taxes, you have a explosive mixture just waiting to absorb your budget.

Attraction Costs. If you don't pay your fire fighters, you will spend more money finding and attracting volunteer labor. The facts are shocking. In Pennsylvania alone, volunteer fire fighters have declined from 300,000 in the 1970's to about 75,000 today. While the population of the state has increased by almost 100,000 people. So, how do you get new volunteers? The volunteer culture has changed. The time demands of people have changed. What can you do to attract more volunteers? There seems to be no magic bullet out there but it will cost more to find a volunteer and entice them to join your department. Of course, if your fire fighter force falls below safe levels, your costs may increase because you have to hire paid fire fighters.

Training. A brand new fire fighter requires much more training than ever before - just to fight fires. Add to that, specialized training such as confined space, rescue, water rescue, EMT, and other expertise that are being demanded of fire departments today and you get a large investment in your people - even if they are volunteer.

Equipment. Protective gear and equipment is more safe than ever. But that safety comes with an ever increasing price tag. It seems just to provide those who serve to have the safest equipment available. But the cost will be rising to keep your people safe.

The good ol' days of a bunch of guys leaving their jobs to fight fires for their community are long gone. And, along with those days, go the relatively cheap labor costs of having guys who fought fires out of a sense of duty, not because they needed to be enticed in some way - either by getting a paycheck or by other incentives to attract new volunteers.

The historical fire fighting labor business model is gone. No more free labor. So, savvy fire departments will begin to factor in these costs now and deal with them instead of getting slammed by the harsh new realities later on.

This issue will become more and more pressing over the next decade.

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Denison Bulletin & Review - Four aerial fire trucks put to the test

Denison Bulletin & Review > Archives > Denison > Four aerial fire trucks put to the test: "Aerial fire trucks from four major manufacturers were put through their paces Wednesday evening in Denison.

The Denison Fire Department is considering replacing its 1994 aerial truck equipped with a 75-foot ladder but no platform. That truck is nearing the end of its life span and is developing problems. The four aerial trucks demonstrated Wednesday each had a 100-foot ladder topped with a platform, something the Denison Fire Department wants.

Six companies had been invited to the demonstration. Four showed up – Smeal, E-One, Pierce and Crimson Fire."

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Fire Line Equipment ~ Used Fire Trucks, Fire Apparatus And Equipment For Sale

Fire Line Equipment ~ Used Fire Trucks, Fire Apparatus And Equipment For Sale: "Three (3) identical 1995 Freightliner - General commercial pumpers that are available for an immediate purchase. All three used fire trucks are powered by a 320HP Detroit Diesel and an Allison five speed automatic transmission. Featuring a stainless steel body with roll up doors, 1250 GPM fire pump, 750 gallon booster tank and deck."

Fire Line Equipment

Fire Line Equipment ~ Used Fire Trucks, Fire Apparatus And Equipment For Sale:

"Buying Late Model Used Fire Trucks!

Fire Line Equipment would like to purchase your late model used pumper, mini pumper, tanker, rescue or aerial ladder truck. If you are selling a used fire truck, we want to take a look at it!

Contact us today with all of the details!"

www.buyfiretrucks.com

New Listing - 1986 Hahn Pumper For Sale

Very clean 1986 Hahn Pumper powered by a Detroit Diesel and an Allison automatic transmission. This used apparatus features a 1500 GPM fire pump, 1000 gallon water tank, front suction, Winco generator and quartz lights. Priced right and available immediately!

New Listing - International Pumper Tanker For Sale

1997 International Pumper Tanker that features a 1250 GPM fire pump and a 1000 gallon poly water tank. This low mileage used fire truck is available immediately and includes a deck gun, crosslays, LDH discharge and two hard suctions. Ready for service, this used pumper tanker is reasonably priced!

New Listing - 1990 Pierce Lance Pumper For Sale

Excellent condition 1990 Pierce Lance Pumper powered by a Detroit Diesel with 475HP and an Allison automatic transmission. The four door ten man custom cab is air conditioned an as only 42,000 miles on it. This used fire truck features a 500 gallon poly booster tank, 1500 Waterous fire pump, Apollo deck gun and three crosslays.






Call Fire Line Equipment today - reserve this well maintained used fire truck! 717-989-0739

New Listing - 2009 1800 Gallon Tanker On a Ford F-750 Chassis

This 2009 1800 Gallon Tanker is on a Ford F-750 and powered by a Cummins ISB diesel with an Allison automatic transmission. The 500 GPM Hale fire pump is complemented by an 1800 gallon water tank, 10” rear quick dump and Porta-A-Tank storage. The water tank is Epoxy lined with a limited 5 year warranty!

New Listing - Used E-One Pumper Tanker For Sale

This 1990 International Pumper Tanker is powered by an International DT-466 diesel and four speed automatic transmission. This used fire truck features a Hale 1250 GPM fire pump and 1250 gallon poly water tank. The all aluminum E-One body has high side compartments, ground ladders and Federal Nightfighter lights.

New Listing - Used Freightliner 5000 Gallon Water Tanker For Sale

This 1987 Freightliner FLC Conventional cab tanker / tender features a fully baffled 5000 gallon water tank. Powered by a Cat 3406B diesel and a Fuller 9 speed transmission. This used water tender is available for immediate purchase.