SCI unveils report after yearlong investigation

As we have all probably all heard by now, either in the papers, radio, Firehouse.com, or word of mouth, the Special Commission for Investigations, or CSI, issued a report damning the method fire apparatus are purchased in NJ. Our organization and Pierce Manufacturing were one of several companies referred to in the report. Unfortunately, the report wasn’t balanced, omitted or distorted facts and knowingly mis-portrayed certain events to make them seem as seedy as possible. We are proud of the people who work for this organization and the product we sell and the firefighters we work with. I do however agree with the Commission’s finding that the system is flawed and needs some overhaul and think a good start would be for the Legislature and DCA to take a close look at the COSTARS program in Pennsylvania and HGAC in Texas. These programs allow manufacturers and customers to work within state established parameters in the buying and selling of apparatus.

Rather than having state established “generic specifications” as the SCI recommends, it allows all manufacturers to submit specifications to the state for consideration and posting. The major flaw with the SCI’s recommendation is that in order to create a “generic” specification, you have to lower it to the lowest common denominator, so that manufacturer’s that chose not to advance with technology (and we all know who they are) will hold the process back, because the state will not be able to create “generic” specs that would write out even one vendor, even if everyone else has advanced with technology. This is not good for the fire service, or for the communities for whom we so proudly protect the lives and property.

On the other hand, the COSTARS and HGAC program allows all manufacturers to submit proposals for consideration and posting on the state list. They also allow “option” upgrades (for example, a charge per shelf to add shelving beyond quantity already specified), and also allows for “other” customer customization, usually up to 25% of the value of the posted price; so on a $400,000 posted apparatus, the customer could make changes worth $100,000. What these systems do, which the SCI’s recommendation doesn’t, is multifold. First, it takes into account that the firefighting in more rural Salem County, while similar in concept, differs vastly from firefighting in say densely populated Bergen or Essex Counties. Second, it recognizes that the state can not dictate tactical firematic approaches on the individual fire companies in the state. It recognizes that some fire departments operate fire to hydrant, and others hydrant to fire and this dictates how you configure and design you apparatus. Finally, and most importantly, it allows fire companies that want to be progressive and have the latest in technological advances can do so, and those who which to stay with older proven technology can do so as well.