August 6, 2008

Columbus Adds 7 Custom Pumpers to Ferrara Fire Apparatus Contract

Holden, LA – Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc., America’s premier custom fire apparatus manufacturer, on August 1st was awarded an additional seven (7) custom pumpers as a continuing part of its three-year contract with Columbus (Ohio) Division of Fire.  Originally won in a competitive bid against several other national, regional and local manufacturers, this will give Columbus a total of 16 Ferrara vehicles; 15 pumpers and an air-light truck.  Beyond the initial three year agreement, Columbus holds renewal options for a fourth and fifth year. 

The first eight pumpers are nearing completion.  You can see the trucks while they are being built at http://www.ferrarafire.com/apparatus/in_production/index.html. 

Like the pumpers currently in production, these will be built on custom tilt-cab chassis with independent front suspension and Detroit Diesel Series 60, 525 horsepower engines.  The bodies are Ferrara’s Ultimate stainless steel, featuring all 12-gauge body panels and compartments.   Columbus Division of Fire designed the custom compartments on the bodies, including an L-shaped booster tank for extra-low hose bed and increased fire fighter safety.

Widely known as a progressive fire department, the Columbus Division of Fire holds accreditation from the Commission of Fire Accreditation International.  They are the second largest metropolitan fire department in the country to achieve this high standard and Columbus is the third of the twenty-five largest fire departments in the United States to be granted accreditation. 

Ferrara Fire Apparatus manufacturers a full line of fire and emergency vehicles, including their premium Inferno XD and Igniter XD custom chassis, pumpers and tankers, rear and mid-mount aerial ladders and platforms, rescue vehicles, incident command trailers, brush trucks, airport vehicles and the revolutionary Strong Arm firefighting vehicle.  Ferrara is a leading innovator in the industry, offering such firefighter safety items such as ECE-29 Crash Testing, Independent Front Suspension, Roll Stability Control, Complete Airbag Protection, and SmartWheel steering systems. 

For more information on the company please contact Paul Christiansen, Marketing Director, at 800.443.9006, via e-mail at paul.christiansen@ferrarafire.com or by regular mail at Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc., PO Box 249, Holden, LA  70744.