How Fire Departments Can Reduce Apparatus Downtime
Every hour that a fire truck is out of service can affect a department’s ability to respond quickly. Whether the cause is a mechanical issue, delayed maintenance, or aging equipment, apparatus downtime puts added pressure on both crews and operations. Reducing downtime starts long before a truck is placed into service. It starts with thoughtful […]
What Fire Departments Should Consider Before Expanding Their Fleet
As communities grow and emergency response needs evolve, many fire departments reach a point where they need to evaluate whether their current fleet can continue meeting operational demands. Increased call volumes, new developments, and changing service areas are all factors that can place additional pressure on existing apparatus. Adding a new fire truck is a […]
Why Ergonomic Design Shapes Better Fire Trucks
When departments start thinking about fire truck design, they usually focus on the obvious things first. Things like pump size, storage space, seating, and the arrangement of compartments. All of these matter. But another piece sits underneath all of it and often gets less attention: ergonomics. In fire truck manufacturing, ergonomics is about building the […]
End Suction vs Full-Bodied Fire Pumps: How to Choose the Right Fit for Your Pumper
When departments spec a new pumper, most of the attention usually goes to tank size, hosebed layout, compartment space, and cab configuration. Those are all important decisions, but the pump itself plays just as big of a role in how the truck performs on scene. Two pumps can have the exact same rated output on […]
Budgeting for Your Next Custom Fire Truck: What Fire Departments Should Plan For
A custom fire truck is one of the most important purchases a fire department will make. It’s not just a vehicle. It is a long-term operational asset that must support your crew, your response profile, and your community for years to come. Because of that, planning for a new apparatus should start a long time […]
Choosing Between Walk-In and Walk-Around Rescue Units
When your department begins planning a new rescue apparatus, one of the first major decisions is the body configuration. The two most common options are walk-in rescue units and walk-around rescue units. Both are effective platforms. The difference is not about which one is better overall. It is about which one better supports how your […]
The Role of Fire Truck Design in Crew Safety
At Metalfab, fire truck design is never about looks alone or checking boxes on a spec sheet. Every design decision is guided by one core question: how does this protect the crew who rely on the apparatus on every call? The work of a firefighter is unpredictable and takes place in high-pressure environments. Long shifts, […]
Why Regular Maintenance Is the Key to a Longer Fire Truck Lifespan
Every fire chief understands that regular maintenance keeps their apparatus on the road longer. But maintenance is about more than avoiding breakdowns or passing inspections. It’s really about protecting a major long-term investment and ensuring fire trucks remain reliable, safe, and ready to respond throughout their entire service life. Fire trucks operate under conditions unlike […]
2018 Metalfab Demo Unit
Metalfab currently has it’s Demo unit for 2018 in production. The unit will be at various conventions during the spring and summer. The unit is also available for sale. For more information and complete specifications, please contact us at info@metalfabfire trucks.com.
First Metalfab H.E.A.T. Series Pumper Comes Off Production Line
The first Metalfab H.E.A.T. Series pumper has just come off the production line. It is the current Metalfab Demo Unit. This Unit will be making the rounds at the conventions this year. The H.E.A.T. Series is a new series of Fire Apparatus focusing on Fire Fighter Safety. As all of Metalfab’s Fire Apparatus, we will […]