Custom Fire Truck Design Handbook: The Complete Professional Guide to Designing, Procuring & Writing Specifications for Fire Apparatus

Custom Fire Truck Design HandbookWhether you're leading a fire department, managing a fleet, or writing your first apparatus spec, the Custom Fire Truck Design Handbook is your trusted playbook for getting it right.This in-depth guide walks you through every phase of custom fire apparatus design—from identifying operational needs and evaluating vendors, to writing specs, choosing components, and navigating delivery. It covers real-world challenges like staffing shortages, rough terrain, complex call mixes, and tightening budgets—offering practical tools and proven strategies to help departments build the right truck for their mission.Inside you'll find:A step-by-step guide to department needs analysis and spec developmentDetailed breakdowns of chassis types, drivetrain options, pumps, tanks, lighting, and moreReal advice on funding, procurement, and working with vendorsSample forms, checklists, and bid evaluation templatesCase studies from urban, suburban, rural, and industrial departmentsWritten in a clear, no-nonsense style by an experienced apparatus advisor, this book cuts through jargon and sales fluff to focus on what matters: building a mission-ready truck that works for your department—on day one and twenty years later.If you're tired of sales brochures and vague guidance, this book delivers hard-earned insights and practical details you won’t find anywhere else. Read more