Some of you may or may not know about new NFPA standards for fire trucks that will take affect next year. According to our MFG they will add close to 20 grand to the price. Then; everyone remember the teir 3 EPA engine specs of a couple of years ago, added like 10 grand, well teir 4 is to be out in 2010. Now some of the new standards look good, they may be getting a bit carried away. We for example are going to try to get a new truck ordered before Jan 1, 09. Another thing learned, after 2010, only 3 major deisel engine MFG's will be left. Cummins, Navistar, and Dalimar Benz, I have not had a chance to confirm this one.
http://firegrantsupport.com/afg/
this is one that I know of through FEMA. There may also be more through the state, such as texas has one through the forestry service, also homeland security and others...Just takes research and TIME!
You are correct. As of 2010, only Cummins will be producing Diesels for the Fire Service. Cat and Detroit have pulled out , due to the new EPA standards. Navistar and Diemler-Benz do make engines, but I haven't heard whether they will be options for the Fire Service or not.
Any Apparatus ordered after 1 JAN 09, must meet the new NFPA standards, to include the new MAX Speeds. Any engine carrying less than 1250 gals. of water will be governed at 68mph. Any thing over 1250 gals. will be governed at 60mph.
The "black box" is a big ticket item, and don't forget no more helmuts on in the cab, so you have to have a place to secure them. Rumor has it that Navistar will build for Cat.