FAMA Flyer Winter 2006-2007

Page 1

Year End 2006

A Publication of

F I R E A P PA R AT U S M A N U FA C T U R E R S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N , I N C .

A VIEW FROM THE BOARD — By Grady North, Director-at-Large

I

t has been my privilege to serve as Director-atLarge on the FAMA Board for the last two years. My very first FAMA meeting was in 1971 – a Technical Meeting at the Chicago O’Hare Airport. Needless to say, I have seen many changes in the organization over the years. FAMA always has been known for its outstanding statistics, its technical support to NFPA and as an industry watchdog for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Maybe some of you remember the issue of catalytic converters on gasoline engines – before we went 100% diesel. I was on a committee that got a “stay” from the government to exempt fire apparatus from that standard as well as EPA noise emissions that would have created a lot of heat and restricted horsepower of fire apparatus engines. I see similarities with the current new generation of 2007 diesel emissions that will require exhaust regeneration of the After-Treatment Device. Our Technical Committee has done an excellent job in coordinating an industry standard for how this system works and getting information out to our membership. I also remember the issues we had with FMVSS 121 and the early designs of anti-lock brakes. We finally got a reprieve until the technology caught up with the federal requirements. Those past issues seem insignificant compared with what is going on in the industry today. In the past two years I have seen a tremendous growth in both FAMA membership and participation on committees. The Technical Committee and all of the subcommittees are having record turnouts at meetings and are busy working on a variety of issues with the many NFPA standards and FMVSS regulations. Each subcommittee now has strong ties to its corresponding NFPA standards committee that will keep the membership informed of technical changes as they are being developed. Over the years, my association with FAMA has been with some of the smaller companies within the industry. Currently I represent a member company that is focused on an even smaller segment of the industry – Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF). FAMA has been a tremendous asset for small businesses bringing us the statistics and technical information that would be difficult to get from other sources. Likewise, we have been active in supporting FAMA’s goals. The Technical Committee has appointed me chair of the relatively new ARFF subcommittee – giving us a means to share information about our niche industry with the rest of the membership. The Statistics Committee has added new segments that allow us to track sales of various sizes and types of ARFF vehicles instead of a single general category. I also was involved in revitalizing the FAMA Grant Fund Program that provides financial assistance to anyone presenting a qualified project that would be of benefit to the membership. My message here, to fellow small business members, is to get involved with FAMA committees. The information shared is invaluable and your vote counts just as much as any large company. continued on next page...

— WELCOME NEW MEMBERS — Amity Machine Corporation Edward Selwyn, Jr., President 3750 Chestnut Street, PO Box 451, Alburtis, PA 18011 Tel: (610) 966-3115 Fax: (610) 966-2230 Email: neds@amityindustries.com Web: www.amitymachine.com A manufacturer of aerial waterway systems Metalfab Ltd. Ryan A. Stacey, Sales & Marketing Manager 847 Central Street, Centerville, NB Canada E7K 2E8 Tel: (506) 276-4551 Fax: (506) 276-3648 Email: rastacey@metalfabfiretrucks.com Web: www.metalfabfiretrucks.com A manufacturer of fire apparatus Plas-Mac, Inc. Roger Wilhelm, President 3696 US Hwy. 83, Wellington, TX 79095 Tel: (800) 687-0128 Fax: (866) 687-0129 Email: plasmac@amaonline.com Web: www.firetrucktanks.com A manufacturer of polypropylene water and foam tanks Plastisol Composites, LLC Alan R. Saulsbury, President 3809 Luker Road, Cortland, NY 13045 Tel: (607) 753-3702 Fax: (607) 753-1209 Email: saulsburyalan@aol.com A manufacturer of fire apparatus; composite fire truck body (rescue, tanker) Spartan Chassis Richard Schalter, President 1000 Reynolds Road, Charlotte, MI 48813 Tel: (517) 543-6400 Fax: (517) 541-3292 Email: rjschalt@spartanchassis.com Web: www.spartanchassis.com A manufacturer of apparatus chassis FAMA also welcomes ... Bulldog Fire Apparatus, Inc. (formerly E.J. Murphy Company) Jeffrey R. Mazza, President 17 Winter Street, Woodville, MA 01784 Tel: (508) 435-4054 Fax: (508) 435-0250 Email: jmazza@bulldogfireapparatus.com A manufacturer of fire apparatus


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.