December 28, 2005

Ferrara Sells Strong Arm to Turkey

Holden, LA - Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc. of Holden, LA, the most progressive and innovative fire and rescue vehicle manufacturer in North America, recently delivered the first of three (3) Ferrara "STRONG ARM" firefighting vehicles to the Istanbul Metropolitan Authority in Istanbul, Turkey.

The "Strong Arm" was designed and engineered by Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc. of Holden, Louisiana in a joint venture with Gradall, the worldwide leader in the manufacturing of rugged, heavy-duty powerful and versatile industrial telescopic hydraulic excavators. It features Ferrara's "Inferno" custom fire chassis with Independent Front Suspension, heavy duty extruded aluminum body and Gradall's FA-50 triangle shaped hydraulic tele-boom equipped with the 5th Man nozzle.

The STRONG ARM is a revolutionary new firefighting vehicle developed, engineered and designed exclusively for heavy-duty continuous use in the extreme adverse conditions that firefighters across the world are faced with each day.

Ferrara and Gradall joined forces to design and develop a safer, more efficient firefighting vehicle that exemplifies our companies' commitment to dramatically reduce firefighter injury and death. This rugged, multi-functional firefighting vehicle will set the standard for fire ground operations for many years to come.

"Since Ferrara's inception over 20 years ago, we have proudly been the leader of new products and services and have been the first to introduce many progressive and innovative products, features and benefits to the fire and rescue industry", said Ferrara. "Our commitment to providing our customers, with the best possible products and services, utilizing only premium construction materials combined with precise manufacturing methods at an affordable price, has been the benchmark to our success".

This exceptional member of the Ferrara firefighting arsenal has been vigilantly designed to provide maximum firefighter safety under the most hazardous and unsafe conditions. This rugged firefighting vehicle will set the standard for fire ground operations in the future. From danger free ventilation through roofs and walls, to blitz type foam applications and controlled demolition to specific applications that require a crane.

Joel Domangue, Aerial Sales & Product Manager stated "This revolutionary firefighting tool has been designed and engineered to insure quick, simple, easy operation while offering practical performance and new safer, more efficient methods of emergency response". "The Strong Arm is a unique blend of versatility, mobility and raw power. This multi-functional machine is capable of performing a vast array of firefighting and support functions due to its unique design and unsurpassed flexibility and mobility".

This device is ideally suited for a wide variety of roof, window or wall ventilation applications. Regardless of pitch, angle, materials, or conditions, the Strong Arm is poised and ready for the challenge. The 5th Man piercing head is capable of penetrating a 6" solid concrete structure to quickly access the interior and extinguish the fire source.

The 5th Man Piercing Nozzle is a technologically advanced patented firefighting appliance designed for use in extreme adverse conditions. This mammoth 1,100# ultra heavy-duty piercing nozzle is fabricated of stainless steel for heavy-duty continuous use in brutal environments and features a fortified hardened piercing tool at the tip for pinpoint accuracy combined with compelling force during safe, effective roof or wall ventilation.

Delivering 1,500 gallons per minute of flow through 52 individual aqua-jet nozzles produces a 60-foot water curtain to quickly eliminate the fire source in confined spaces.

Ventilation is only one of the many fire-ground operations at which the Strong Arm excels. With Pinpoint Accuracy, the Strong Arm's full-tilting telescopic boom provides Quick, Easy Access to roofs and walls at any angle or pitch, easily penetrating most surfaces and construction materials to put water directly on the fire source while reducing danger of collapse to eliminate avoidable risk to personnel and improve firefighter safety.

Penetrating most roof and side wall materials & construction methods, the piercing nozzle head is capable of penetrating a 6" solid concrete structure and is no match for asphalt shingle or slate roofs, lap siding exterior walls, box cars, tractor trailers, mobile homes, or steel storage buildings and sea going containers.

Ferrara continues to "Lead the Way" by providing innovative products and services to enhance firefighter safety. We accept our role as the industry's most progressive and innovative manufacturer. We embrace the opportunity to design safer more efficient emergency fire and rescue vehicles and we accept the challenge to be the best!

Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of fire and rescue apparatus. Located in Holden, LA and founded by Chris Ferrara in 1982, Ferrara builds a complete line of fire apparatus including Aerial Ladders and Platforms, Custom and Commercial Pumpers and Rescues, Haz-Mat and Quick Attack vehicles as well as Ferrara's own custom fire chassis' the Inferno and Igniter featuring IFS independent front suspensions and heavy duty 4- wheel drive.