Bringing Your Used Fire Truck Into Service

After all your diligence, you are finally the proud owner of a used fire truck for your department. Perhaps long overdue and thankful for what is going to be a great resource to serve your community, this purchase will be something you will be able to utilize for years to come.

Of course, since it has been previously owned, there may be some work you would like to do with the rig before putting it into service. This is very reasonable and actually, sound thinking. There may be a variety of considerations ranging from rather fundamental items to something more encompassing.

Start With the Fundamentals

To begin, if the fire apparatus hasn't been through a recent pump test certification, that would be a very good place to start. Being the “heart” of what makes it a fire truck, you want the confidence and assurance that everything is sound with the water pump on the fire apparatus. Similarly, if the used fire truck has an aerial — be it a ladder or platform — having a current aerial test and certification definitely is a wise investment with such an important device.

Servicing and Appearance

Beyond the fundamentals noted above, other real possibilities include a complete servicing which may entail replacing:

• Fluids and filters
• Hoses and belts
• Switches
• Tires and brakes

Other relatively straightforward items may include new paint, new striping, and new lettering. All these help make sure the truck is in good working order prior to being put into service — as well as making it yours — and making you proud with the external appearance.

Updates and Upgrades to Consider

Of course, there are many other updates or upgrades that you can consider after your used fire truck purchase. These may include converting all the lighting to the latest in LED technology as well as adding a cab interior air purification system or even new seating or upholstery. Perhaps you need to change the compartment storage systems with new shelves and slide-out trays. Whatever you want to bring new life to the existing used fire truck can be explored — and to your budget capacity.

Regardless of where or how you purchased the used fire truck, consider a reputable partner that has extensive daily expertise with a wide range of fire apparatus configurations and brands.

Across the United States, there are great companies to choose from including Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus (www.firetruckmall.com) in Alabama.

Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus has excellent capabilities and staff experience with answering all your follow-on questions and needs after you purchase a used fire truck. They can help make sure that someone's prior fire apparatus becomes the best resource moving forward for you and your fire department.