E-ONE - Experts & Thought Leaders

REV Fire Group, comprised of REV Group, Inc. manufacturers of fire apparatus E-ONE®, KME®, Ferrara™, Spartan Fire Chassis™, Spartan Emergency Response®, Smeal™, and Ladder Tower™, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Connely as Director of Project Management-Sales for REV Fire Group. Brian Connely, a seasoned pioneer with 20 years of experience in the fire industry, will be responsible for supporting sales initiatives across all REV Firebrands. He reports directly to Larry Daniels, Senior Director of Sales for REV Fire Group. Extensive leadership experience Prior to this role, Connely held leadership positions at KME and Spartan ER, and most recently served as the KME Sales Manager for Campbell Supply Company. In addition, he has served for the past 34 years as a Volunteer Firefighter at his hometown Tamaqua (PA) Fire Department and currently serves as President. “We are excited to have Brian Connely working with the REV Fire Group,” said Chris McClung, Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, REV Fire Group, adding “His dedication and commitment to his community extend beyond his work, and it’s this passion for serving others that makes him stand out as an exceptional pioneer in the fire industry.”

REV Fire Group, comprised of REV Group, Inc. fire apparatus manufacturing subsidiaries, is pleased to announce the appointment of Fire Truck Solutions (FTS) as the official E-ONE® AND KME® dealer in Arizona, Colorado and Nevada. Fire Truck Solutions is authorized to sell and service the complete portfolio of E-ONE and KME Fire Apparatus. FTS recently acquired the fire truck dealership from H&E Equipment Services and will continue to offer sales, service, and parts to all customers in the territory from the existing locations in Phoenix and Denver. Fire truck dealership Plans call for relocating the dealership to new locations in those cities in 2024 to accommodate expected growth and to launch mobile service for maintenance and repairs across Arizona and Colorado. The new Phoenix facility will feature 20,500 square feet of warehouse space and 3,700 square feet of office space, with an expected addition of 12,000 square feet. We’re positioned for growth and service to exceed our customers’ expectations prospectively" FTS principals are John Gellhausen, Steve Slatzer, and Mark Julien, H&E’s former leader of fire apparatus sales and service with more than 20 years of experience. “This is an exciting opportunity for our team at Fire Truck Solutions and we look forward to our new partnership with REV Fire Group,” says John Gellhausen, principal, FTS. “We’re positioned for growth and service to exceed our customers’ expectations prospectively.” Customer service experience “We are very committed to growing the E-ONE and KME landscape in Arizona, Colorado and Nevada,” says Larry Daniels, senior director of sales for REV Fire Group. “John Gellhausen and Steve Slatzer’s solid financial and business experience combined with Mark Julien’s extensive E-ONE fire apparatus sales and customer service experience makes for a winning partnership. It’s for those reasons we believe Fire Truck Solutions will make a great addition to our network of dealers for E-ONE and KME.”

REV Fire Group, comprised of REV Group, Inc. manufacturers of fire apparatus E-ONE®, KME®, Ferrara™, Spartan Fire Chassis™, Spartan Emergency Response®, Smeal™, and Ladder Tower™, announces it will host the 27th Annual Fire Truck Training Conference (FTTC) October 1-6, 2023 at The Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan. As the largest and most in-depth combined training symposium and testing event in the nation, FTTC has expanded this year and will incorporate all of The Lansing Center event space. With registration nearly full, approximately 400 first responder driver-operators, technicians, equipment manufacturers, dealers, service center representatives and more from across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America are expected to attend. Specific troubleshooting issues Attendees will have the opportunity to learn directly from manufacturers, complete certification tests and/or re-certify on EVT standards, as well as network with fellow technicians and driver-operators. FTTC provides three training tracks with more than 50 individual courses over four days FTTC provides three training tracks with more than 50 individual courses over four days that span repairs of brake systems, roll-up doors, electrical systems, pressure governors, pumps, and more. Attendees of the training seminars can meet with suppliers one-on-one to address specific troubleshooting issues and learn the latest maintenance tips and techniques. First responder community Spartan Emergency Response’s 27-year history with this event reflects REV Fire Group’s commitment to provide first responders with the safest, most effective fire apparatus possible, and to empower them with the skills and knowledge to keep their fleets in service and well maintained. “Events like FTTC exemplify REV Fire Group’s commitment to the first responder community,” said Mike Virnig, president of REV Fire Group. “We’re proud to build the finest fire apparatus on the road, but it’s equally gratifying to know we’re doing our part to educate and share best practices that enhance the safety and wellbeing of the individuals we ask to protect our communities.”

The adoption of electric fire apparatus is accelerating their footprint in the industry. Fire departments from Los Angeles to Madison, Wis., from Portland, Ore., to Mesa, Ariz., have embraced the technology of electric and hybrid vehicles in the fire industry and are demonstrating the practical capabilities of this new generation of technology for the fire service. Sustainable commitment More municipalities worldwide are committing to sustainability and climate goals. Furthermore, truck producers in general are converting to electric drive systems. In the future, there will be fewer chassis available with conventional drivelines, making it necessary for fire trucks to go electric. Electric fire apparatus An electric fire engine is an innovative tool that will help reduce noise and harmful diesel emissions Electric fire apparatus made a big splash at recent trade shows, notably FDIC International in the United States and INTERSCHUTZ in Germany. An electric fire engine is an innovative tool that will help reduce noise and harmful diesel emissions and provide a flexible tool for firefighting and rescue operations from a technologically advanced platform. At INTERSCHUTZ, Rosenbauer presented a complete range of electric emergency vehicles, from municipal fire trucks including fully electric aerial ladders to Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles. fully electric fire truck A fully electric fire truck currently going into service in Los Angeles is the result of 10 years of research and development, with the Los Angeles City Fire Department working closely with Rosenbauer America to address the challenges and obstacles of deploying the truck within the city’s system. Two more Rosenbauer electric trucks are being demonstrated in fire departments in the U.S. and Canada, and another truck is coming next year. Rosenbauer projects that half of all vehicles they deliver to fire departments should be electrified by 2030. Addressing the issues with an electric truck Training and operations must be considered when replacing a traditional apparatus with a new electric truck Issues such as training and operations must be considered when replacing a traditional apparatus with a new electric truck. One change is more space available on the electric truck for equipment storage, says Rosenbauer. The City of Madison, Wis., Fire Department is deploying an Enforcer Volterra Pumper from Pierce Manufacturing Inc. The apparatus uses an “electro-mechanical infinitely variable transmission” that can switch imperceptibly between the electric and diesel modes. Fine-tuning the design The Volterra pumper will work on the front lines at Station 8, the city’s busiest fire station. Madison Fire Department worked with Pierce to “fine-tune” the design. The department seeks to have their electric trucks “mimic” the operation of the older trucks. In Madison, the city’s fleet manager is driving a push toward electrification throughout the vehicles used by the city; the Pierce apparatus enables the fire department to deliver on that expectation. The city anticipates buying two or three additional electric fire trucks in the next year or so. E-One Vector fire truck Additional features include a battery storage solution that offers a safer, lower center of gravity and regenerative braking EV Fire Group announced the all-electric E-One Vector fire truck last August and debuted it in multiple presentations on the FDIC International show floor in April 2022. The customizable Vector features a long electric pumping duration that allows four hose lines to be used for four hours on a single charge. Additional features include a battery storage solution that offers a safer, lower center of gravity and regenerative braking. cost-savings and efficiency Mesa, Ariz., is the first city to order the Vector, with delivery expected this year. The rig supports the City of Mesa’s Climate Action Plan, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. They expect the new rig will demonstrate potential cost-savings and efficiency of electric vehicles throughout city operations. In developing Vector, REV Fire Group worked closely with customers to identify their needs and fine-tune the product based on feedback. Volterra platform Oshkosh provides a Volterra platform for a hybrid ARFF vehicle, which is debuting at airports Pierce Manufacturing and Oshkosh Airport combined efforts to introduce the Volterra platform of vehicles for the fire and emergency market. Oshkosh provides a Volterra platform for a hybrid Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle, which is debuting at airports across the United States. Innovative fire suppression technology The hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) meets the emergency response needs among airports. The first Striker ARFF deployment is at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Available on 4x4 and 6x6 chassis platforms, the Striker Volterra delivers superior chassis performance, advanced safety systems, innovative fire suppression technology, reliability, and durability.

North America’s largest fire event, FDIC International, brings together more than 34,000 fire industry professionals this month (April 8-13) at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. First constructed in 1928, FDIC continues today in its original tradition of providing a forum for networking about the most vexing issues and sharing the most promising solutions to concerns that face the fire service. FDIC provides opportunities to learn new techniques, train alongside world-class leaders, and advance discussions among the most influential firefighters in the industry. FDIC allows practitioners and those who support the industry an opportunity to discuss frankly the latest developments in equipment and support and collaborate on how those new advancements can be best used. 27 Interactive H.O.T Sessions FDIC offers many opportunities for learning and training, starting with its 27 interactive Hands-on Training (H.O.T) sessions“FDIC is steadfastly dedicated to its fundamental principle of providing a non-ideological, non-affiliated and openly inclusive environment for sharing and collaborating among all members interested in the mission of the fire service,” says Chief Bobby Halton, Editorial Director, Clarion Fire Rescue Group, and Educational Director, FDIC International. “Whether their interests lie in operations, medical or fire, in administration, in the production and distribution of equipment, or the advancement of codes and standards, all opinions and worldviews are accepted and debated with the utmost respect and dignity.” FDIC offers many opportunities for learning and training, starting with its 27 interactive Hands-on Training (H.O.T) sessions, 78 pre-conference workshops and more than 200 conference sessions. FDIC’s immersive learning experience extends to the exhibit hall floor and outdoor demonstration area where attendees can see and try the latest products, equipment, services and technology from over 800 exhibiting companies. “FDIC is more important than ever to the fire service industry because it is now and will always be of the firefighters, for the firefighters, and about the firefighters,” says Halton. Events Co-Located With FDIC New this year, iWomen is co-locating their event at FDIC, which includes 14 timely classroom sessions spread over two days, as well as networking events geared at sharing challenges and insights in a supportive environment. Also, the Institution of Fire Engineers United States of America Branch is co-locating their AGM annual meeting and educational update at FDIC. And the National Fire Heritage Center has partnered with FDIC to promote the center, conduct its annual meeting and introduce the annual inductees into the Hall of Legends.  FDIC is more important than ever to the fire service industry because it is now and will always be of the firefighters, for the firefighters, and about the firefighters FDIC’s new MATCH! Program is a customized meeting experience that connects attending decision makers, who have an immediacy to purchase, with exhibitors whose products or services match their sourcing needs and interests. These VIP attendees can make the most efficient use of their time by accessing innovative matchmaking technology and a personal program manager to assist them with meeting scheduling and recommendations. Exhibitors At The Event FDIC’s Mobile App is a visitor’s guide to searching the exhibitor list, navigating the exhibit hall and seeing a full schedule of sessions and events. FDIC’s new parking partner, Gate Ten Events and Parking, allows visitors to reserve their parking space ahead of time. Large exhibitors headlining the Exhibit Hall include Pierce; Rev Fire Group, E-ONE, KME, Ferrara and REV Ambulance; 3M Scott Fire and Safety; and HME Ahrens-Fox. Other large exhibitors include Honeywell First Responder Products, Drager, Globe by MSA, Rosenbauer and Spartan Motors. Here are some of the timely themes covered at this year’s conference: Current updates on the development and implementation of science-based strategy and tactics Information and practices on mental health and wellness Leading advances in firefighting technology and managing an integration of technology into the decision-making process during operations Review of recent sentinel events in the fire service from actual participants Analysis of accident investigation from members of NIOSH and the CDC Updates on current research into toxicity in the environment and equipment Current thoughts on decontamination procedures presented by researchers and practitioners The value of belongingness as a tool for health and wellness, suicide prevention, a detailed examination of the sociotechnical interface and firefighting’s role going forward The complex political and operational dilemmas faced in the wildland urban interface Recruitment and retention for the volunteer fire service Networking Opportunities Abound The event takes over the city, and there are chances to network with peers everywhere they turnAt FDIC, networking starts the moment attendees arrive in town. The event takes over the city, and there are chances to network with peers everywhere they turn. Formal networking events are also organized, including the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, Courage and Valor 5K Fun Run, Comedy vs. Cancer, IFD Open House and Pumper Pull, Stop Drop Rock ‘n’ Roll and more.  “We want individuals to walk away feeling inspired by new ideas, tools or techniques they’ve learned in sessions or new products or services they’ve sourced on the show floor that ultimately keep them and their communities safe,” says Halton.