BRANDON, S.D., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crimson Fire,
Inc. is introducing a new pumper designed to meet fire departments'
dual needs to respond to emergencies and fight fires at the
fire-rescue industry's biggest trade show, which begins today.
Crimson Fire, which is a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SPAR), will display the Transformer® at Booth 2433 during
the Fire Department Instructors Conference, which runs through
April 24 in Indianapolis, Ind. Unlike traditional mid- or
rear-mount pumpers, Crimson Fire's new pumper eliminates the
traditional pump house while integrating the pump and manifold
system into the body just forward of the rear wheels. This
will free up much-needed compartment space while reducing the
vehicle's overall length.
Firefighters will also notice improved handling and
maneuverability, thanks to the Transformer's shorter wheelbase and
improved break-over angle.
"Industry statistics suggest that during 90 percent of
emergency-response calls the pump is never engaged," said
Kevin Crump, president of Crimson
Fire. "Yet fire departments must preserve the ability to
fight major structure fires while meeting the growing need to
provide emergency response.
"Our new Transformer bridges these distinct roles in a single,
affordable vehicle. Crimson Fire transformed traditional
product design to create a vehicle that can fight a major structure
fire while freeing prime space for storage of emergency-response
gear, all on a shorter wheelbase."
Central to the Transformer is the new pump location. In a
traditional pumper, the pump house and its controls occupy
approximately 164 cubic feet of space. By placing the pump
forward of the rear wheels, Crimson Fire eliminated the need for
the pump house and dramatically reduced the space required for the
mechanism. The Transformer frees up more than 130 cubic feet
of pass-through compartment space for mounting equipment, storing
equipment and other departmental needs.
Additionally, shifting the pump just forward of the rear wheels
improves break-over angle, making it easier for the apparatus to
navigate speed bumps, curbs and other obstacles without damaging
its mid-section. The new Transformer also features a shorter
wheelbase for improved maneuverability.
The Transformer on display features:
- 1,250 gpm PTO integrated pump from Darley
- Water tank with 750 gallon capacity
- Aluminum body construction with multiplex electrical
system
- Smart Power 6 kw hydraulic generator
- Vibra-Torque mounting system to minimize vibration in the
body
The Transformer on display is built on a Spartan Metro Star®
chassis with a 10-inch raised roof and a Cummins ISL 425 hp diesel
engine. The 178-inch wheelbase vehicle will feature
touch-screen displays in the cab, the most modern LED warning and
scene lighting, and an integrated hydraulic ladder rack.
Options for the new vehicle include:
- Compressed air foam system, or CAFS, capabilities, which
reduces the amount of water required
- 1,250-1,500 gpm PTO-integrated pump from Darley
- Wheelbases available as short as 168 inches
- Pump-and-roll capabilities, allowing the vehicle to be in
motion while the pump is in operation
"As with all Star® Series vehicles from Crimson Fire, our new
pumper with integrated pump is a custom apparatus tailored to the
specific needs of each department," Crump said. "Our goal is
to provide a custom solution to an evolving need."
About Crimson Fire
Crimson Fire is a leading manufacturer of custom fire trucks and
other rescue vehicles. A subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SPAR), Crimson Fire is committed to quality, value and
innovation. Drawing on more than 130 years of excellence in
fire truck manufacturing, Crimson Fire manufactures a full line of
pumpers, rescues, aerials, quick-attack vehicles and other
emergency-rescue vehicles from its facilities in Pennsylvania and South Dakota. For more information,
visit www.crimson-fire.com.
About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. (www.spartanmotors.com) designs, engineers
and manufactures specialty chassis, specialty vehicles and truck
bodies and aftermarket parts for the outdoor recreation/RV,
emergency-response, defense, government services, delivery and
service markets. The company's brand names - Spartan™,
Crimson Fire™, Crimson Fire Aerials™, Road Rescue™ and Utilimaster®
- are known for quality, value, service and being the first to
market with innovative products. The company employs approximately
1,600 at facilities in Michigan,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Indiana and Texas. Spartan reported sales of
$430 million in 2009 and is focused
on becoming a global leader in the manufacture of specialty
vehicles and chassis.
SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.