Building the perfect engine for your department is a challenge that many would love the opportunity to solve! Unfortunately, the opportunity is rarely afforded to the departments that operate in the rural environment. Rising apparatus costs have seen new engines easily exceed the half-a-million-dollar mark on the low end and even exceed a million dollars on the high end. Even if money was of no concern, current production times can range from two to three years. Many rural departments operate with 15, 20, or even more than 30-year-old rigs. These rigs may have been purchased new by the department, but it’s also common that they were built for another department and then purchased used by or donated to the current department. In both cases, departments are using rigs that were purpose-built for a different department/jurisdiction or built for their department’s needs 20 or more years ago. Regardless of the situation, the expectation is that we perform with the equipment we have! This class will examine the necessary equipment and the strategies to win with that equipment in the rural fire environment. Students will leave class with proven concepts they can take back to their department to enhance their fire attack and water supply efficiency and capabilities!
