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Through April 26, 2009, participants can enter to win a custom, one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Firefighter Special Edition motorcycle by visitingNFFF.FullThrottleSupport.com.
“Every firefighter death is a great tragedy, but the families take comfort in knowing the nation is grateful for their sacrifice,” said Ron Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. “The NFFF Full Throttle Support campaign is truly a unique way for the country to come together to honor the families of America’s heroes.“
Throughout the four-month campaign, individuals can log on to NFFF.FullThrottleSupport.com to make a $10 donation, which will enter them for a chance to win the custom, one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle. Visitors to the Web site can learn more about families who have benefited from NFFF.
“Firefighter safety is a top priority for Pierce, and we have a long, proud history of commitment to giving back to those who risk their lives to protect our communities,” said Wilson Jones, executive vice president of the Oshkosh Corporation Fire & Emergency group and president of Pierce Manufacturing. “We will continue to help advance the work of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and support the families of our fallen heroes.
The deadline for entering the sweepstakes is April 26, 2009, coinciding with the final hours of the Fire Department Instructor’s Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis. The winner of the NFFF Full Throttle Support sweepstakes will be announced in May 2009.
No purchase necessary.Age for eligibility is subject to entrant’s State law. Complete rules for entering and for eligibility are available at NFFF.FullThrottleSupport.com. Employees of Oshkosh Corporation, Pierce Manufacturing, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and their families are not eligible for the sweepstakes. Sweepstakes void where restricted or prohibited by law.
The bike, which is white and fire engine red, loaded with chrome and gold-leaf style designs will be making appearances at the following events prior to its award:
Daytona Bike Wee
February 28 - March 8, 2009
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona, Florida
Arizona Bike Wee
March 27 - April 5, 2009
Scottsdale, Arizona
FDIC
April 20 - 25, 2009
Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
Go to NFFF.FullThrottleSupport.com for more details.
As you may have seen by recent updates to our Website, two icons in their respective industries, Pierce Manufacturing and Harley-Davidson have teamed up to produce a motorcycle to raffle off with the proceeds going to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit Foundation has developed and expanded programs that fulfill that mandate. Our mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes and to provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives.
The motorcycle, a 2009 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy is painted white and fire engine red and like all good rigs is loaded with chrome and gold-leaf style designs. This special edition unit will be making the rounds at several bike shows across the country and at the FDIC in April. For more information on the motorcycle, rules, regulations and your chance to enter, go to NFFF.FullThrottleSupport.com.
Thank you,
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.
Fire & Safety Services, Ltd. is proud to announce the hiring of Michelle Russell to the staff. Michelle will be heading up the Marketing Department, as well as taking the lead on several special projects within the organization. In addition, she will be doing some sales of the Frontline apparatus in Southern New Jersey. Michelle was most recently working for PACCAR Financial as a Regional Sales Manager, and prior to that held several regional management positions with Kenworth Truck Company. Michelle got her start in the trucking industry selling for Chicago Kenworth. Prior to that Michelle worked in magazine advertising selling copy and working with customers in developing their ad space.
“Michelle has a lot of great ideas and brings a fresh look to our organization. Coming from the outside, albeit a related field, I think will allow her to approach things differently and challenge our way of thinking,” said Fire & Safety Services, Ltd. President David Russell. “I look forward to working closely with her on several of the things I’ve wanted to initiate, but just haven’t had the time to undertake them myself.”
Fire & Safety Services, Ltd. and Pierce Manufacturing, Inc had a wonderfully active Wildwood weekend September 11-13 at the New Jersey Firefighter’s Convention. This year’s booth included 14 apparatus.
A first this year for Fire & Safety Services, Ltd. was the inclusion of the BRAT (Brush Rapid Attack Truck), which is manufactured by Firematic Manufacturing in Yaphank, NY on Long Island. Firematic is a long time Pierce dealer who also has delved into manufacturing vehicles based on needs they found on the Island. “While the BRAT unit displayed is the bread and butter unit of the BRAT line, Firematic has expanded its offering to include smaller versions of the vehicle we had on display, a front mounted pump version, and a low profile (6’10” to 8”) mini-pumper with a Deutz diesel Hale 30FS pump ideal for parking garage applications,” said Fire & Safety Services Director of Sales, Craig Neal. For more information on this product line go to www.firematic.com.
Another big hit was the tandem heavy duty rescue on display courtesy of Lyndhurst New Jersey. “It was an ideal piece for people looking at any kind of rescue,” said Bill Himstedt a rescue sales specialist from Pierce Manufacturing on hand to assist Fire & Safety Services during the show. “It has non-walk in features, walk-in features, command unit features, just simply a great unit,” he continued.
“Our thanks go to all the people who helped out with this show,” said David Russell, Fire & Safety Services’ President. “I’d especially like to thank Craig Neal for directing things, Eric Trevena for handling the layout, all the driver’s who brought units down, and especially the fire companies and municipalities who let us display their vehicles. This includes: Cherry Hill, Williamstown, Berkeley Twp./Bayville FC, Lakewood, North Wildwood/Anglesea FC, Bogota, Middle Twp./Greek Creek FC, Carlstadt, Fair Haven, Lyndhurst, Maywood, Hope Twp., and Buena Boro/Richland FC.”
Fire & Safety Services, Ltd. was proud to be the main sponsor of the Burn Foundation’s Wildwood Fundraiser for the 8th year in row. The Burn Foundation raffles off an original framed work, created just for the show, as well as twenty-five prints of the same piece. Fire & Safety Services, Ltd. helps offset artist Joe Getsinger’s expenses so that all the funds raised through the weekend went to the Burn Foundations. The Burn Foundations is a Philadelphia based organization which supports the Greater Delaware Valley through education and support of five regional Burn Centers for 30 years. For more information on the Burn Foundation, please visit www.burnfoundation.org.
 This year’s piece “Rescue Two” features a motor vehicle accident with entrapment and incorporates several aspects of the Emergency Services, including fire, police, first aid, and even an advanced care transport helicopter.
For more information on this piece, or other artwork by Mr. Getsinger, visit his website at www.jgetsingerart.com.
At the recent Pierce Annual Sales Meeting held in Sarasota, Florida at the end of January, Fire & Safety Services, Ltd. was named a Platinum Battalion Dealer for each of the four years this honor has been bestowed. Fire & Safety Services is one of only a handful of dealers who have had this honor. “This is a tremendous honor because this represents how we do with sales AND service,” said Fire & Safety Services’ boss Dave Russell. While sales volume is considered, the standard is based on many factors including the experience and knowledge sales and service staff, order management, processes management, and continuing sales and service education. “This is really a reflection of the hard work that everyone puts in at Fire & Safety Services, from the person answering the phone to the person coming out on the service call after the sale,” former President William Russell commented.
Fire & Safety Services is pleased to announce the addition of two new sales reps to its organization. Mike Barlow joins us and will cover Southern Hunterdon County (south of Rt. 12) and Somerset Counties. Mike formally had these areas as his territory during his time with Campbell Supply, the local American LaFrance sales organization. “Mike brings extensive experience, both in sales and as a firefighter with 19 years as a volunteer,” says Craig Neal, Fire & Safety Services’ Director of Sales. “I’m looking forward to him getting out there and working his territory, he’ll fit in well with our sales group,” agrees President Dave Russell.
Kevin Driscoll’s territory will be most of Middlesex County (the area North of Rt. 522). Kevin has nearly 30 years experience as a volunteer and has had to handle apparatus acquisitions for a handful of apparatus purchases during those years. “Kevin appreciates the balance between getting the best bang for the buck while keeping one’s eye on the bottom line,” offers David Russell. “While Kevin doesn’t have as extensive of a sales background that we normally look for when we hire, I was impressed with the knowledge of our product he already came to the table with, just from his own experiences with Pierce. We look forward to his making an impact in Middlesex County for us,” added Craig Neal.
First of all, thanks for coming and checking our new Website. If you are a first time visitor, welcome and thank you for your interest in Pierce and Fire & Safety Services. For those returning, you may notice that we’ve completely overhauled the old website. I hope you enjoy the improvements and welcome any comments that you have on the changes. If you like what you see, please sign up for automatic notification of updates to the news section of the site by clicking the orange “RSS” button and following the instructions to sign up.
Today I want to look back a little bit on our recent 2007 New Jersey Firefighter’s Convention and show we just had in Wildwood. It amazes me every year that we pull off the kind of booth that we do, because just as I’m convinced it won’t fall into place it always does. This kind of event doesn’t happen overnight, and I’d like to thank all the customers that allowed us to borrow their apparatus for a few days to display at the show, without their support, putting on a display of any kind would be very difficult indeed. But in addition to them, I need to thank some in-house help for their work; especially Bill Russell, Eric Trevena, and Bill Ring for a lot of the behind the scenes logistical work they handled for me. I’d also like to thank Sean O’Connor and Vincent Scalera and the entire Service group for their efforts. While Wildwood is essentially a sales show, Vinny and Sean and their group of guys really bail us out year after year helping getting units down and back from the show and helping us get organized and loaded prior to the show and organized and put away once we return. With sales staff spread all over the state, it is sometimes hard to get the bodies here to do all the work that needs to be done, and the Service Division really comes through in the clutch to help out.
I thank all of the people who came through our booth and stopped and talked to myself, or to our sales representatives about our products that we had displayed, especially the first VELOCITY delivered in NJ to Haddonfield, NJ and the awesome PUC pumper which can completely change the way we thing about and approach fighting fires and designing apparatus. You can always count on Pierce to push the envelope when it comes to firefighting apparatus.
But more importantly, I want to talk about the “guest” apparatus we had and thank the gentlemen who brought it down for us. The TFFT (Tactical Fire Fighting Truck) is by itself a pretty awe inspiring apparatus. But to me, what really made the display were the Army Reservists Trombetta and Rochette. These two men did great honor in representing the Armed Services during our show. They were very personable and answered any question I heard asked of them. The only time I heard any hesitancy in an answer was when one was probed about details of his tour in Iraq as a Marine. They were great with the younger kids posing for pictures and I think were even asked to sign their names a couple times by people. No matter what your opinion on the conflict in the Middle East and our involvement, these two gentlemen portrayed all that is right and good about our military personnel, no matter where they are stationed. God bless them and Support our Troops.
Thank you,
Fire & Safety Services, Ltd. is proud to announce that John and Kevin Panacek have agreed to join us in representing Pierce Manufacturing in Mercer County and southern Middlesex County. John had previously worked for Fire & Safety Services representing several western and southern counties, including Mercer. John’s son, Kevin, will be working with John gaining experience and expertise in the product and helping John work to regain Pierce’s dominance in Mercer County. John and Kevin will cover Mercer County and Middlesex County south of Rt. 522.
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