|
NEW FIRE TRUCKS - HOW TO BUY A FIRE TRUCK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selecting a fire apparatus manufacturer is an important decision. It is a decision that should involve more than just choosing a company that meets your specs or is the lowest bidder. Specifically, it should involve gathering and evaluating information about the manufacturer, the dealer, and the product itself to ensure you are getting the best overall value for your money. This information will allow you make an informed selection that you can confidently present to your town council, city manager, or board of fire commissioners to justify your choice.
The easiest way to gather this information is to submit a questionnaire to bidders to complete as part of their bid packages. That way, you'll be sure to ask each bidder the same questions in order to make an impartial evaluation. A sample questionnaire is included at the end of this guide. You may photocopy it, or you may use it as a basis for developing your own questionnaire.
The first step in the information gathering process is to learn more about each manufacturer, such as:
Experience
• How long has the manufacturer been building fire apparatus?
Ownership
• Is the manufacturer owned or controlled by another corporation? If so, what is the name of the parent corporation and what is their primary business?
Financial Stability
• Will the manufacturer provide a copy of their most recent annual report with their bid for review by the city or department finance officer, risk manager, or other designated person?
Product Line
• What kinds of apparatus does the manufacturer build? (Alternatively, inquire if the manufacturer builds specific types of apparatus you may need in the future -- aerials, tankers, wildland pumpers, patient transport vehicles, etc.)
ISO (International Standards Organization) Certification
• Is the manufacturer ISO 9001 certified?
Bonds and Insurance
• Will the manufacturer provide a bid bond for 10% of the total bid? (Bid bonds must be from the apparatus manufacturer -- bonds from sub-contractors are not acceptable.)
Lease/Purchase Options
• Does the manufacturer offer finance options? If so, describe them.
Customer Support
• Does the manufacturer have a training program for vehicle operators? Does the training take place at the fire department site and does it last for more than one day to ensure the operators are familiar with all modes of operation and with the proper preventive maintenance procedures?
Literature
The following files are in a PDF format.
If you don't have Adobe Acrobat (needed to view PDF files),
click here.
A Guide to Selecting a Fire Apparatus Manufacturer (95KB)
15 Year Structural Warranty (24KB)
20 Year Aerial Structural Warranty (646KB)
10 Year Plumbing Warranty (647KB)
10 Year Paint Warranty (74KB)
Need Financial Assistance?
Click here for more information.
|
|
|
This will help you determine their experience, financial stability, quality record, and other valuable information.
Read " A Guide to Selecting a Fire Apparatus Manufacturer" for more detailed information.
Sunbelt Fire can assist you at the very beginning of the process to consider a new fire apparatus. We can help you identify and develop the guidelines and specifications for the exact type of truck and feature your department needs for a cost that stays within the budget you have allocated.
CUSTOMER ASSURANCE
Our extensive dealer network leads the industry in customer service before and after the sale. Should problems arise, a simple phone call to your local E-One dealer or E-One's 24-hour technical support department will work with you on handling your situation. Factory authorized service and support-close to home. Our warranty leads the industry in vehicle coverage against defects of factory-supplied materials and workmanship, call your local dealer for complete details.
LEASING INFORMATION
The Lease-Purchase Program from E-One is a popular way to finance the equipment you need now with long-term financing at competitive rates. Unlike other lease programs, with us you have two options. At the end of the term you can own the vehicle outright or trade it back to your E-One dealer at a guaranteed value.
WARRANTY
With the best warranty package in the industry, E-ONE vehicles have a 10-year body structural warranty, a 10-year stainless steel plumbing warranty, a 10-year paint warranty, a 20-year aerial device structural warranty, a lifetime corrosion perforation warranty and a lifetime water tank warranty. See literature below for details.
|
 |
| |
Should you have further questions concerning any of the information on this site, or should there be information which is required which you have not received, please feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience at 1-800-642-8484 or fill out the contact form on this site.
|
|
|
