fama fyler summer 2009

Summer 2009 IssuePresident’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Welcome New Members . . . . . . . . . . . 2Preview of FAMA Fall Meeting . . . . . . 4Legislative Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Capitol Hill Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6“Home Day” Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 GAC Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Report of the Technical Committee . 82009 FAMA Scholarship Sponsor . . . . 9NFPA Technical Committee Dates . . . 9 With Thanks to FDIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Spring Meeting Highlights . . . . . . . . . 10CFSI Annual Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Preparing for Interschutz 2010 . . . . 14U .S . Exporters – Last Remaining Export Tax Incentive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15U .S . Census Bureau Reports . . . . . . . 16In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16On a Personal Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16“All In The Family” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Member News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Calendar of Events . . . . . . . Back Cover

FAMA and FEMSA Fall Meetingsand Capitol Hill DayOctober 8-9, 2009Arlington, Virginia

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Everyone’s Safety Matters

WElcoME NEW MEMbErS

crimson Fire AerialsJames A . Salmi, President1828 Freedom RoadLancaster, PA 17601Tel: (605) 582-4000Fax: (717) 735-0842Email: jsalmi@crimson-fire .comWeb: www .crimson-fire .comManufacturer of fire apparatus

Fouts bros. Fire EquipmentTravis Rakestraw Manager-Sales/Engineering2158 Atlanta RoadSmyrna, GA 30080Tel: (770) 431-0216Fax: (770) 438-1504Email: trakestraw@fouts brosfire .comWeb: www .foutsbrosfire .comManufacturer of fire apparatus and rescue vehicles

Maintainer custom bodies, Inc.Michael Preston General Manager909 So . East StreetRock Rapids, Iowa 51246Tel: (712) 472-4725Fax: (712) 472-4727Email: mpreston@maintainer custombodies .comWeb: www .maintainer custombodies .comManufacturer of rescue vehicles

Southeastern Apparatus SalesJohn E . Lovell, President1420 Nimitz AvenueTalladega, AL 35160Tel: (256) 362-9280Fax: (256) 362-9299Email: john@seapparatus .comWeb: www .seapparatus .comManufacturer of rescue vehicles/quick attacks

Southern Fire Service & Sales, Inc.Randy Willoughby, President229 Confederate AvenueJasper, GA 30143Tel: (706) 253-7319Fax: (706) 253-0019Email: rwillo1438@ellijay .comManufacturer of fire apparatus and rescue vehicles

|| President’s Message

By: John E. Sztykiel

First, I wish to thank all who attended the FAMA Spring Meeting in St. Augustine, Florida, as time and schedules are the most difficult hurdles to overcome. I also wish to thank

our sponsors. Their support is critical as very few things in this world are free:• Fire Engineering magazine (Corporate Sponsor) - reduced meeting fees• SpartanMotors,Inc–Mondaybanquetopenbar• UnitedPlasticFabricating–Mondaycoffeebreakandcupsfor the Hospitality Suite• Havis-Shields–Tuesdaycoffeebreak

Overall, this was a great meeting; however, there were some issues. Over half (57%)ofthesurveyswereceivedratedtheguestspeakeratathreeorbelow.Thisissomethingthatwewillworktoaddress.ThebreakoutnotesforthiseventhavebeensummarizedandwillbepostedontheFAMAwebsite.Thecommentsaregreat,andcriticaltoourlongtermsuccess.

Next, the Obama administration has submitted a 70 percent reduction in the Assistance toFirefightersGrant(AFG)programforfiscal2010.ThisisaverylargedecreaseconsideringtheAFGpurchasesabout10 to15percentof the industry’s truckseachyear.AlreadyIhavehadnumerousemails and calls from people asking, “What is the GAC going to do?” The GAC has already sent the appropriateresponse.However, it is importanttonotethat it isnot justtheGACsjobtoturnthisaround, it is yours, mine, and ours.

Forthepastthreeyears,BobKreps,MikePowerandIhavebeenpreachingthatFAMAmember-ship needs to get involved (a 2009 top three GAC objective). Contact your elected officials today and havestateandfederalrepresentatives,senators,andstaffersvisityourlocation.Inaddition,youcouldvisit their state offices or meet in Washington, D.C. If you are not certain what to do please contact MikePowerorrefertotheHomeDayToolKitthatcanbefoundatwww.famafemsagac.org.

Businessisaboutrelationships...whatkindofrelationshipdoyouhavewithyourstateandfederallegislators?TheGACwillhelpfacilitatethecorrecteffort,butthatisasmallgroupofpeople.FAMAasanassociationconsistsofmanypeopleandthereisstrengthandinfluenceinnumbers.

In closing, while we are strong, there is work to do. Thank you again for your attendance in St. Augustine, and we look forward to seeing you in the fall.

FAMA and FEMSA Fall Meetingsand Capitol Hill Day

October 8-9, 2009Arlington, Virginia

“United We Stand”

2 Summer 2009 www.fama.org

WElcoME NEW MEMbErS

Safe Trucks Save LivesThe facts – There are approximately 40,000 fire apparatus in the U.S. built prior to the 1991 version of NFPA 1901. – That’s over 50% of the apparatus in service today.

The figures of those 40,000 apparatus: • 10,000 units are older than 30 years • 17,000 units are 20 – 29 years old • 13,000 units are 15 – 19 years old

Most communities do not have 15 year old garbage trucks, police cars or school buses... So, why do we allow more than half

of our firefighters to ride in vehicles older than 15 years?

Annex D – You Can Live By It!NFPA 1901 Annex D addresses the problem of older vehicles that do not incorporate current features and safety standards. The annex recommends replacement of any vehicles that were built prior to 1979. It further recommends refurbishment or replacement of any vehicles built between 1979 and 1991. If units are refurbished and retained, they should be placed in reserve status.

Annex D helps fire departments determine if an apparatus is in need of upgrading or refurbishing.

Beginning with the 1991 edition of NFPA 1901, a number of significant safety features were incorporated into the standards: Fully enclosed riding areas, stronger aerial ladders, auxiliary braking systems, reflective striping, improved warning lights and no roof-mounted audible warning devices, to name a few.

By upgrading to equipment that meets the newer NFPA 1901 standards, you can significantly reduce the potential of serious injury or death sustained in accidents or operation of these vehicles.

Together we build safe fire and rescue apparatus that save lives

Bill Darley likes to tell his grandkids astoryabout3 frogsona log.Onedecided to jump off the log….so

how many were left asks Bill? Well the answer is three, as justbecausehedecidedtojump,becausehedidn’ttakeaction,there

he sat. It is easy to complain that the fire service is not getting enough fed-eral monetary support and it is easy to say that I am going to get involved andhelpgetthemessageofneedouttothosethatcandosomethingaboutit.It’salsoprettyeasytosignupnowforthisyear’sfallmeetingbecauseitisgood for you, for your company and for the industry as a whole.

Like last year, this year’s fallmeetingwill offer great networking andlearning opportunities for everyone attending. On top of that we need to have a strong presence and voice on Capitol Hill. The FAMA Board is ask-ing for your continued support and the timing for your involvement has neverbeenmoreimportant.

Unitedwestand.Getoffthe log.Youwillbegladyoudid!

By: Peter Darley, Vice President

|| PrEVIEW & NoTIcE oF FAMA FAll MEETING

TO: FAMA MembersPursuant to Section 5.3 of the bylaws of the FireApparatusManufacturers’Association (FAMA), notice is hereby given that a meeting of the generalmembershipwillbeheldOctober8-9,2009,atthe

Crystal City Marriott Hotel1999 Jefferson Davis Hwy.Arlington, VA 22202

FEMSA will host its Annual Meeting during this time, and will share some meeting time and events with FAMA.

Critical to this meeting: “Capitol Hill Day” - Thursday, October 8th.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: August 14, 2009 www.fama.org/meetingReg

The preliminary meeting events schedulethatfollowsoutlinesallbusinessmeet-ings and functions planned during your stay in the Washington, D.C. area.

Programs In answer to your survey comments from last year, you can expect to see a line-upofqualityspeakersandpresentationsthatwillprovidegreattake-away.WeareaskingforyourvaluableinputandsuggestionsfortheBuyers’Roundtableas we look to attract a variety of experts including people with federal agency purchasingexpertise.PleasepassthemalongtoKaren–[email protected].

FAMAhasbeeninvitedto joinFEMSAmembersfora“FireDrill”–anopportunitytoparticipateinbusinessdiscussionsofyourchoicesuchasdeal-ing with Nexus, human resources issues, distribution relationships, trendytaskslikehowto“Twitter”,alongwithothersocialnetworkingandmarketingtactics.Moretopicswillbefeatured.

Inaddition,industryandgovernmentalleaderswillspeakaboutthestateand future of the fire service in these tougher economic times.

JoeMancusiisthisyear’sbusinessspeakerfortheFridayafternoonjointsessionwithFEMSA.Dr.Mancusi’smissionistoinspire personal and orga-nizational excellence through dynamic programs tailored to manage change, buildleadershipskills,andenhanceteamwork.Hisgoalistohelppeoplegofrom Existing to Excelling.

Sponsorship Opportunities Thefollowingsponsorshipopportunitiesareavailabletoallmembersattendingthe2009annual/fallmeetingsandevents:

FAMAFridayMemberBreakfast-$2,000FAMA/FEMSAFridayMemberLunch-$6,500FAMA/FEMSAFridayReception(precedingbanquet)-$4,200FAMA/FEMSAFridayBanquetOpenBar-$2,500

(Please email Karen – [email protected] – if you have interest in any of these opportunities.)A Sincere Thank YoutothefollowingFEMSAmembersfortheirsponsorshipcommitmentsthatbenefitFEMSAandFAMAmembers:

FEMSA/FAMABusinessSpeaker-$4,000–Fire Chief MagazineFEMSAGeneralMeetingBreakfasts-$4,200–FireRescue companiesFEMSA/FAMACoffeeBreaks-$4,500–Firehouse companiesFEMSA/FAMAHospitality Suite - $11,000 – Fire Engineering Magazine

& FDIC

Sponsorship Benefits • Formalrecognitioninmeetingmaterialsandfrompodiumeachday• Opportunity to place signage and promotional materials during your

sponsored event *• ExposuretotheFAMAandFEMSAmemberships• Buildnewrelationshipswithpotentialcustomers(*Sponsorswillberecognizedfromthepodiumandwillbeallowedtoplacebanners,literatureand

promotionalmaterialsonthetable(s)providedduringthesponsoredevent.Promotionalmateri-alsmustbeapproved,inadvance,byFAMA.)


Periodic updateswillbee-mailedtoyouprovidingadditionaldetailsontheroundtablepanelists,breakouts,otherpresentations,aswellasthehotelandarea attractions.

On-line registration is now available at www.fama.org/meetingReg. IfyoudonotreceiveanelectronicconfirmationfromBobGrimaldiwithin48hoursofsubmittingyouron-lineregistration,contactBobdirectlyatbobg@rometravel.com.Yourconfirmationwillincludeareceiptforyourrequestedbooking. Inaddition,wewille-mailbroadcastalistofregis-tered attendees periodically. If you registered and do not see your name onthelist,contactBobimmediately. Theseprocedureswillensurethateveryone is accounted for.

Room Block -AllmembersareencouragedtobooktheirroomsattheCrystalCityMarriottHotelthroughtheFAMA/FEMSAroomblock(seeon-linereg-istrationform).Ourgroupisguaranteedthebestavailablerateforthedatesof our stay at the hotel.

Inordertoaccommodateallmemberrequestsandfulfillourroomblockcommitment, registration deadline has been set for August 14th. At that timewemustadvisethehotelhowmanysleepingroomswillberequiredeachnight of our meeting events.

MEETING FEES and RESERVATION/CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICIES1. MeetingFees:No “a la carte”meeting fee schedules are available to

members,spousesand/orguestswiththeexceptionofchildrenunder11yearsofage.

2. Reservation Policy: FAMA/FEMSA negotiates a special room rateeachyear. Theroomblock thisyearclosesAugust14th. After thatdate,theFAMA/FEMSAratemightnotbeavailableandyouwillhavetopaythefullrackrate.Wesetasideafixednumberofroomsbasedon anticipated attendance. Reservations are made on a first-come,first-servedbasis. Ifourmainhotel sellsout,wewillmakereserva-tionsforyouatahotelnearby.

3. Cancellation Policy: If you cancel a reservation after August 14th,there is a one-night cancellation fee. Also, if you check out prior to your original reservation departure date, you will be charged aone-nightcancellationfee. No-Showswillbechargedfor thenightsmissed.

4. RefundPolicy:Annualmembershipmeetingfeeswillnotberefund-ed,butwillbecreditedtowardthenextannualmembershipmeeting.

Members are reminded that FAMA policies prohibit direct selling duringmeetingeventsandincommonareasofthehotelwherememberssocializeand network.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions, feel freetocontactyourannualmeetingplannersdirectly or the FAMA office.

WelookforwardtoseeingyouthisOctoberinVirginia.JohnSwanson,Chair–[email protected],ViceChair–[email protected],BoardVicePresident–[email protected]–[email protected]

2009 FAMA/FEMSA MEETING & EVENTS SChEDULE

Time Program Topic /Speaker

Arrival Wednesday - october 7th, 200912:00 pm - 1:00 pm FEMSA Board Lunch

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm FEMSA Board Meeting

3:00 PM Break

Thursday - october 8th, 20096:30 AM FAMA Board Breakfast

7:00 a.m. FAMA Board Meeting

6:30 am - 7:30 am FEMSA Member Breakfast

7:30 am - 10:15 am FEMSA Annual Business Meeting

10:15 am - 10:30 am Break (FEMSA and FAMA)

10:30 am - 12:00 pm Hill Preparation (FEMSA/FAMA GAC) JOINT SESSION

12:00 pm - 5:30 pm Visits to Hill (Lunch on your own)

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm FEMSA/FAMA Reception (off site)

Rayburn Office Bldg/Foyer

Friday - october 9th, 20096:30 am - 7:00 am FAMA Member Breakfast

7:00 am - 9:45 am FAMA Membership Meeting

7:00 am - 8:00 am FEMSA Member Breakfast

8:00 am - 9:45 am FEMSA Meeting

9:45 am - 10:00 am Break (FEMSA and FAMA)

JoINT SESSIoN bAlANcE oF DAY10:00 am - 11:30 am FEMSA Fire Drill with FAMA NEXUS, Attorney on

Distribution Law, HR Attorney about all of the new laws on COBRA and recovery bill changes, Social networking (Twitter); other topics TBD

11:30 am - 12:45 pm FEMSA/FAMA Executive Committees Lunch

12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch (FEMSA/FAMA Members)

12:00 PM FEMSA/FAMA Spouses Program

TBD

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm FEMSA/FAMA Meeting Presentations

1:00 - 1:30 pm Economy Insight Mark Light

1:30 - 2:45 pm Buyers’ Roundtable Panelists TBD

2:45 - 3:00 pm Break

3:00 - 5:00 pm Business Speaker Dr Joseph Mancusi

6:00 - 7:00 pm FEMSA/FAMA Cocktails

7:00 - 9:30 pm FEMSA/FAMA Dinner + Speaker

Fischelson Award Presentation

Departure Saturday - october 10th, 2009FFM 10.09 Schedule 6.11.09

www.fama.org Summer 2009 5

||

AnotherWashington,DCCapitolHillDay is approaching!Are youready?This year will be a definingmoment for the Assistance toFirefighters Grant Programs (FIRE Act and SAFER). The reau-

thorization of the programs are up for debate in Congress in 2009. TheAdministration’s recent budget request toCongress recommends significantreductionsinfederalgrantfundsforfirefighterequipmentandtraining.Therearemanyunansweredquestionsaboutthefutureoftheseveryimportantpro-grams that support the first responders our industry serves.

Thisyear’sHillDaywillgiveyoutheopportunitytoclearlyexpressyourpositioninpersontoyourMembersoftheHouseandSenate.Toensureyourvoiceisheard,pleasemakeplanstoattendtheannualFAMA/FEMAAmeetingthisfallandmakeyourvoiceheardonthehill!

TheGovernmentalAffairsandMeetingPlanningCommitteeshaveagreatdayplannedforyouonThursdayOctober8,2009.We’llgetyouwarmedupwith a morning preparation program where we will provide you with a legisla-tive update, meeting tips, literature, and prescheduled meeting itineraries with teamsoffellowFAMA/FEMSAmembers.Intheafternoon,wewillsendyouup to Capitol Hill fully prepared to discuss the important issues facing the fire serviceandourindustry.Culminatingtheday,you’llattendawonderfulrecep-tionheldinoneoftheCongressionalofficebuildings.

So what do you need to do? First, make the personal commitment to come to the annual meeting. We all realize this is an uncertain and trying year for our country. However, this is your opportunity to have an impact on the federal programs that are important to all of us. Second, please indicate on yourregistrationformstheCongressionalMembersyouwouldliketotargetformeetingsthisfall.Finally,bepreparedtocultivatelong-termrelationshipswith your Congressional offices through follow-up phone calls and visits to your local Congressional offices, often working with fellow FAMA/FEMSA

membersinyourarea.Theseefforts,incombinationwithourHillDayagenda,willenhanceyourabilitytogetyourpointstakenseriouslyontheHill.Thisisyourchancetodoso!

Our goal is to make the day an experience that will have you confident inyourpurpose,whilemakingitanenjoyableeventthatyouwillremember.Most importantly, is the fact that you are participating in the process that was setforthbythefoundingfathersofourgreatnation!Therewillbemuchmoreto come over the next few months leading up to the meeting. Stay tuned and beginyourplanningnow!

Sincerely,

Mike Power and John Granby GAC Co-Chairs

George Goros and Bill Lawson GAC Events Co-Chairs

Steve Lawrence GAC Contributing Writer

|| lEGISlATIVE corNEr

cAPITol HIll DAY 2009

“HoME DAY” PlANNINGHas your company made plans for a “Home Day” this year?

Home Day activities can range from large events coordinated with other FAMA/FEMSAmembersinyourstateorregion,ortheycanbesmaller,sim-pler events involving just your company.

TheFAMA/FEMSAGAChasdeveloped a “ToolKit” to get you started.Also,itisdesignedtohelpyouunderstandtheimportanceofestablishingandbuildingrelationshipswithyourlocalandstatelegislatorsinyourhometownsor districts, and to host a get-together with them at their offices, at your facili-ties,oratanappealingvenueforFAMAandFEMSAmembersinyourstateorregion.Logontowww.famafemsagac.organdclickonthe“HomeDay”buttonatthebottomofthepage.

ItisrecommendedthatHomeDayeventsbeheldbythetimeoftheFAMAandFEMSAfallmeetingsinOctobersowecandiscussyoursuccessesatthemeeting.

SeveralmembershaveeitherhostedorareintheprocessofhostingHomeDays in their areas.

IllinoisFAMAandFEMSAmembersinIllinois,alongwiththeIllinoisMetroChiefs,hostedanIllinoisFireServiceHomeDayonJune4th.CongressionalstafferstookpartinafiretrainingexerciseattheCarolStreamFireProtectionDistrictstrainingcenter,followedbyaluncheon.(Afullreportisexpectedforthefallissue of this newsletter.)

TaskForceTipsofValparaisowillsponsoritsown“HomeDay”forfederal,stateandlocalofficialsonSeptember18thinconjunctionwithitsnewfacilityopening.Furtherinformationwillbeforthcoming.

W.S. Darley & Co. hosted Congressman Peter Roskam this spring totourDarley’snewheadquartersinItascaandtosharewiththeCongressmanissues facing the fire service and those who serve the industry. Congressman RoskamhasbecomeanadvocatefortheUSFireService,andrecentlyjoinedthe Congressional Fire Services Institute. In a recent letter he wrote, “I came toWashington toensureournation’shomelandremainssecure. Oneof themost important components of guaranteeing our communities are safe is sup-porting our first responders who stand on the front lines daily to protect our way of life.”


OhioSutphen Corp. held a small home day in May at its Springfield chassis manufactur-ing plant. Many local politicians, state legislators and Congressman Steve Austria (R-OH7th)attendedtheevent.TheCongressmanisontheBudgetCommitteeandsharedinformationaboutthebudgetprocess.SutphenrepresentativeswereabletodrivehometheimportanceoftheAFGprogramtohisdistrict.

MinnesotaOnJuly28th,WaterousCompanyofSouthSt.Paulwillhost“HomeDay”atitsofficeswelcomingotherFAMAandFEMSAmemberstoco-hosttheeventincludingFoamPro,RosenbauerAmerica,MetroFire,andFirehouseEvents.The event will demonstrate the importance of these companies within the fire and emergency services industry, introduce legislators to some of their over 280employees,andprovideauniqueopportunitytodiscusswiththemimpor-tant aspects and issues facing the fire and emergency services field.

New hampshireAstatewide“GovernmentOfficial’sDay”isbeingplannedforearlyOctober.TheeventwillbehostedattheNewHampshireFireAcademyinConcordandwillbeoriented towardstateand localgovernmentofficials (CityManagers,Selectmenandthelike),withafocusoneducatingthemaboutthetrainingandequipmentneedsoftheirlocalfirstresponders.

When you schedule your “HomeDay”, please be sure to let us know. TheFAMA/FEMSAGACisavailabletoyouifyouneedassistance.ContactKarenBurnhamatinfo@fama.org.

|| lEGISlATIVE corNEr

It is fair to say that the fire service was surprisedanddismayedwhentheObamaAdministration released its detailed fed-

eralbudgetforfiscalyear2010onMay7.Thepresident’s budget proposal recommends cut-ting funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants(AFG)programby70%,fromthe$565millionincurrentFY2009to$170millionforFY2010, which begins on October 1 of this

year. AFG is one of the most popular programs in Congress, and to receive suchadramaticproposedcutisashotacrossthebowfortheprogram.

In the last two years, the Bush Administration proposed funding the AFGprogramatonly$300million,andinbothyearsCongressrejectedthe proposed cut and funded the program with slight increases.

Similarly, the SAFER program, used to hire and retain firefightingpersonnel,hadbeenproposedforeliminationinFY2008and2009,butCongressrespondedbyfundingtheprogramwithsignificantincreases.

Inamajorshift,theObamaAdministrationproposesdoublingfund-ingfortheSAFERprogramto$420million,givingthehiringprogrampriority over the AFG program. In the past, the AFG program has always enjoyedsignificantlymorefundingthanSAFER,althoughCongresshaslessened that gap by giving SAFER the majority of the increased firegrants funding for two straight years.

All hands on DeckThe AFG program is now in a fight for its life and every part of the fire service, including the fire chiefs, firefighters, emergency responders, and everysectorof the industry thatequips them,mustwork toencourageCongress to reject the proposed cut in the AFG program.

AFG is one of the most efficiently run programs in the federal gov-ernment,withadministrativecostsofaround5%.Thefundsgodirectlytothenation’sfirstresponders,rangingfromruralvolunteerfiredepart-ments tourbandepartments. Theequipmentpurchasesmadepossiblethrough the AFG program keep firefighters and emergency responders safeastheymakeover20millioncallsannuallytoservethepublic.AndAFG helps provide universal emergency services throughout the nation, wherever one travels.

Calling on Congress to reverse the reductions in AFG funding in the president’s proposed budget will require an all-hands-on-deckresponse from FAMA members. The FAMA/FEMSA GovernmentalAffairs Committee will continue to monitor the appropriations pro-cess and keep you updated. In the meantime, call and write letters to yourCongressionaldelegation—Housemembers andSenators—askingthem toprovide full funding for theAFGprogram infiscal year2010.America’sfirstrespondersneedourhelpandweneedtoenlistthepartici-pationofeveryFAMAmemberinthisefforttorighttheship.

GAC Update “We Need Every FAMA Member NOW”

By: Dave Gatton

111th congress DirectoryAsanaddedbenefitofyourmembershipthisyear,theFAMA/FEMSAGACsenttotheprimarycontactofallmembercompanies inAprilacopyof the111thCongress Directory. This new, updated directory is an excellent guide to:

Legislators - Senate and House of Representatives

State Delegations and Governors

Congressional Office Buildings

Key Telephone Numbers

Key Legislative Web Sites

The White House

The Cabinet

Selected Agencies

Senate and House Committees,

Subcommittees and Joint Committees

Map of Capitol Hill

... and much, much more

Additional copiesmay be available tomembersuponrequestwhilesupplieslastonafirst-come,first-servedbasis.Ifseveralcopiesareneeded,theycanbeorderedforyouatcost.


Mike Apple

Russ Nielsen

Bob Neitzel

Lisa Breu presented the 2009 Chairman’s Award by Technical Committee Co-chairs Dave Durstine and Sean DuffyJ. Gordon Routley, Sean Duffy, Jen Whitestone, Dave Durstine, Ron Siarnicki.

|| || rEPorT oF THE TEcHNIcAl coMMITTEE

By: Sean Duffy, Co-Chair

TheSpringMeetingoftheFAMATechnicalCommitteewasheldonFriday,April24attheHyattRegencyHotelinIndianapolisduringthe annual FDIC show with 58 member companies represented

through135individualattendees.Themeeting,whichwasgraciouslysponsoredbyArvinMeritor,allowed

FAMAtofacilitateforitsmembersaroundtablediscussionwithenginemanu-facturersintheramp-uptothe2010EPAdieselemissionsstandards.

Mike Apple of Cummins, Russ Nielsen of Daimler and Bob Neitzel ofNavistar each presented a general overview regarding the new standard, its impact on fire apparatus, and then detailed information on how their respec-tive companies plan to address the new governmental regulationswiththeirmotors.Eachcompany’spresen-tationhas beenpostedunder the resource library ontheFAMAwebsite.

The executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Chief Ron Siarnicki, introduced a Firefighter Anthropometric Study, which isa project that employs lasers scans to take actual firefighter dimensions

withandwithoutturnoutgearinvariouspositions. Developedbyfireser-vice consultant J. Gordon Routley, FDNY officerMichaelWilbur and JenWhitestoneofTotalContact,anthropometryistheage-oldscienceofstatisti-calbodydimensiondatacollectiontodeterminespecificdesigncriteriaforergonomics,industrialdevelopmentand–inthiscase–clothingforturnoutgear.AttherequestofChassisSub-CommitteechairmanRogerLackore,thedata–whichisavailableonwww.nist.gov–willbeusedbythecommitteeto determine safety parameters in chassis, such as stepping heights and how muchafirefightercanliftabovehisorherheadwhileinturnoutgear.

During the meeting, it was announced that the latest iteration of the FAMAWhitePaperonFireApparatusImprovementwassettobereleasedbyFire Engineering.AuthoredbyChiefJeffPiechuraoftheNorthwestFireDistrictinTucson,AZ,thewhitepaperupdatesFAMA’spreviousdocument,this time focusing on the application of new technologies in fire apparatus.

It was also announced that theWeight&CubeCalculator, whichwasfirstintroducedeight(8)yearsagobyFAMAhasbeenupdatedandisnowavailable online at www.fama.org.The Technical Committee thanks ZachRudy, a student atMuskingumCollege inOhio, for his efforts in revisingthis project.

Finally, Lisa Breu of Oshkosh, a long-time member of the TechnicalCommittee and tireless champion for the high-voltage sub-committee,received the 2009 Chairman’s Award for her dedication and devotion toFAMA and the Technical Committee. Ms. Breu, who spent many yearsworking for Pierce and served the Technical Committee with passion,recently moved over to Oshkosh, which would limit her participation in the TechnicalCommittee. Weagain thankLisa forallheryearsof service toFAMA and to the advancement of safe fire apparatus.


2009 FAMA ScHolArSHIP rEINSTATED

TheFireApparatusManufacturers’Associationhasbeenalong-timesponsor of annual Scholarships and Grant funding to support those projects and individuals who were focused on improving the safety of

othersacrossthecountry.Duringthespringmembershipmeeting,memberswereadvisedofachangeinFAMA’spositionoftheseprograms.

In response to funding challenges currently experienced by the fireservice, the FAMA Board suspended the Scholarship and Grant programs for2009. Instead,theprogrammonieswereearmarkedtohelpensurethatfederalfundscontinuetobeallocatedtoupgradethefireservices,includingapparatus, equipment and training, that is so necessary for the protectionof our fire fighters and the communities that they serve. FAMA continues torecognize thecontributionsoffirecollegesand their students,and looksforwardtobeingabletoreinstatetheScholarshipandGrantprogramswhenthenecessaryfundingforthefireservicehasbeenresolved.

Soon after this information was released at the spring meeting, FAMA memberAkronBrassCompany,byitsPresident/CEOTomHudak,approachedthe Board asking if his company could sponsor the FAMA Scholarship pro-gram,therebyreinstatingitfor2009.

“We are delighted to work with FAMA in the supportofeducation,”statedTomHudak,President/CEOofAkronBrassCo.“EducationofouryouthisthekeytokeepingAmerica’sleadership position in the world. We want and need to keepattractingyoung,brightpeopletoourindustry.Weareconfidentthatbycontinuingthisscholarship,theassociationwillhaveapositiveimpactonsomeone’sdevelopmentasafutureleader.”

Thanks to the generosity of Akron Brass Company, the FAMA 2009Scholarship program is moving forward. Student applications have beenreceivedandareunderreviewbymembersoftheEducationCommittee.Acandidatewillbe selectedwithapress releaseandpresentation tobemadeattheTechnicalCommitteemeetinginDallas,TXinAugustinconjunctionwiththeFire-RescueInternationalshow.

NFPA TEcHNIcAl coMMITTEE – MEETING DATES PoSTING

As a functionofFAMA’s sharingof valuable informationandcom-munication, and as discussed at the spring meeting, all NFPATechnicalCommitteemeetings,datesandtimespertinenttothose

FAMAmonitorswillbepostedontheFAMAwebsite(www.fama.org,clickonResourceLibrary/NFPAMeetings).

NFPAmeetinginformationknownatthistime:NFPA1906/1912July21-22,2009-8:00AMto5:00PM

WITH THANKS To FDIc“We are grateful for the support of Eric Schlett and PennWell relative toFAMAandtheGovernmentalAffairsCommittee,”statedJohnSztykiel,FAMApresident. “Today there is a call for help every 1.4 seconds. Onlywith therightequipment,withtherighttraining,withtherightpeoplecanoneensureeffective executionwhen a call is placed.This contributionworks to enablethat to happen.”

FDIC Officials presented to FAMA members its 2009 donation to help foster FAMA’s governmental affairs and public relations efforts. Pictured are Eric Schlett (FDIC Executive Director and Vice President of the Fire Group/PennWell), FAMA member Tom Garrity (Fire Equipment Services), FAMA Vice President Peter Darley (W.S. Darley & Co.), and Lyle Hoyt (Sr Vice President & Group Publisher of the PennWell Corporation).

Hilton Hotel401WestPrattStreetBaltimore, Marylandin conjunction with Firehouse Expo

Ifyouare involvedinanNFPATechnicalCommitteemeetingandhaveknowledgeofupcomingmeetings,pleaseforwardthatinformationtoKaren([email protected]).


|| SPrING MEETING HIGHlIGHTS


3rd Annual “old Timers” lunch The “Old Timers” lunch, hosted by Phil & Ann Schwab of Duo-Safety, was held at the ColumbiaRestaurant(inOldTowne)onSunday,March29th, inSt.Augustine,FL. TheSchwabs’daughterandson-in-law,Sandra&RandyVandersee,workwiththeSchwabstobringtogetherFAMAmembersofthepastand“seasoned”currentmembers,toremember“thegoodol’days”oftheassociationandtocatchupwiththeirpersonallives.Thosewhoattendedthisyeararepicturedandinclude(l-rbottomrow:)KateRuth,NancySaulsbury,HazelSpotts;(row2:)RogerRuth,PhyllisEwers,RonEwers,AlanSaulsbury,JerrySpotts; (middle row:)BobBarraclough, JackMcLoughlin,KarenBurnham,TeddiKozey; (backrow:)BettsBarraclough,BobGrimaldi,PhilSchwab,AnneSchwab.(Notinphoto:“behindthescenes”photographersSandraandRandyVandersee.)

The 2010 lunch will be held in Key West, Florida in March around the dates of the FAMA spring meeting.

Bob and Betts Barraclough, celebrating 50 years dedi-cated to the fire industry

“Good Egg” award to Larry Dodson

“Best Dressed” award to Bill Ballantyne

2009 “Goodwill Ambassador” Martha Albright (center) with past recipients (l-r:) Diane Resch, Linda Ballantyne, Nancy Saulsbury, Teddi Kozey, and Betts Barraclough

Rick Suche (l) is presented the Board Appreciation plaque for his service as a Director-at-Large

John Sztykiel, President and MC of “fun”

|| SPrING MEETING HIGHlIGHTS


Golf Tournament Winner Greg Kozey (l) with Al Burnham (r) presenting

2009 FAMA Golfers

“Tube Steak” award to Dave Durstine

“Star Achiever” and “Past President” awards to Jerry Halpin

CFSI UPDATE

On Thursday, April 2nd, the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) hosted the 21st Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. The dinner, held at the Hilton Washington, was a resounding success, with 2,000 fire and emergency services leaders, members of Congress, and Administration officials in attendance. The theme of this year’s dinner was “New Beginnings... New Opportunities” capturing the opportu-nity presented to the fire service to work with the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress on a broad range of homeland security issues. The dinner culminated a two-day program that included CFSI seminars cover-ing a broad range of national fire and emergency services issues. Congressional staff, administration officials and national fire service leaders participated in seminars to offer their observations and insights on such issues as interoperable communications, fire service-based EMS, federal grant programs, prevention and education, and other salient issues. The keynote speaker for the evening was Vice President Joseph Biden. Ad-dressing the dinner, the Vice President said, “I want you to know our administration recognizes that you’ve all acted bravely just by becoming firemen. And now we owe it to you to make sure that all you do after that in your line of work is as safe as it can possibly be.” While serving in the Senate, Vice President Biden was a co-chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, the largest caucus in Congress with approxi-mately 300 members. During the 109th Congress, he was Chairman of the Fire Cau-cus, serving as a catalyst on a number of important legislative priorities for the nation’s fire and emergency services. “The truth is, as you commit to saving the lives of endangered Americans, we have to do everything we can to save your lives. Even as we continue to face econom-ic turmoil, we still have to remain committed to America’s bravest domestic defenders,” said Biden. Three of the eight leaders of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus attended the dinner and shared the podium in paying tribute to our nation’s first responders. Congressman Peter King, recently selected as Chairman of the Fire Caucus for the 111th Congress was the first caucus leaders to speak. He was followed by House Ma-jority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-5), and Congressman Rob Andrews (NJ).

The dinner concluded with a special performance by the Washington, DC based comedy troupe, the Capitol Steps, co-sponsored by FEMSA and FAMA.

NIGHT OUT AT THE NATIONALS

Come out and enjoy some food and baseball while showing your support for CFSI and the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department. A hospital-ity area will be provided prior to the game at 5:40. Complimentary food and beverages will be served and all guests will receive a free seat cushion for the game. All guests will be ushered to their seats following the first pitch at approxi-mately 7:10 p.m. Can’t Attend? We are sorry to hear that, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t make a difference! Sponsor a group of local firefighters and we will be sure you get the recognition. For information on how to do this please call (202) 371-1277. Visit www.cfsi.org for further details.

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN ADDRESSES ATTENDEES OF THE 21ST ANNUAL NATIONAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES DINNER

Photo courtesy of CFSI

Photo courtesy of CFSI

|| cFSI UPDATE


PREPARING FOR INTERSCHUTZ 2010

We’re about 365 days away from the start of the largest fire, rescue, disaster preparedness, security exhibition any-where. June 7-12, 2010, are the dates you want to reserve for INTERSCHUTZ, in Leipzig, Germany. So that you can get your planning team together and start thinking about arrangements, here’s a synop-sis of the important factors you should consider.Exhibit Space, USA Pavilion: The standard 10’x10’ booth we’re all familiar with equates to a 9cm x 9cm stand (in line); alternatively a 9cm x 12cm or 9 x 15cm (corner) stand, and they call them stands not booths, at this show. The stand come complete with many amenities we don’t furnish here, such as hard walls on 2/3 sides; light-ing; headline banner; table and chairs; Internet connection; hospitality lounge for you and your guests; private conference rooms (you make deals on the spot); interpreters; security and more. This is a turn key operation for exhibitors from the USA. The pavilion is located in a promi-nent location within an Exhibit Hall, and visitors flock to see what’s new in America. For those who have never been to an INTERSCHUTZ, talk to some “old hands” who have been there, they’ll tell you the Pavilion is a good bet for your exhibit money. Contact Donna Hyland, [email protected], PH: 908-735-0559, to discuss specifics about the Pavilion. She has a floor plan and can assist you in a stand location. Donna can also assist exhibitors want-ing to do an independent stand—not in the USA Pavilion. Based on your company’s product or service, your lo-cation on the fairgrounds is pretty much decided by the overall exhibit layout. Like commodities are grouped together so that all EMS products/services are in the same exhibit hall, all fire extinguish-ers are together, apparatus is usually on an outside exhibit area(s) (more than one), etc. etc. Donna, can help you make all of the arrangements for your

By: Bill Kehoe

exhibit with the INTERSCHUTZ exhibit team in Germany.For general exhibit information go to this website: www.hfusa.com/interschutz

Exhibit Transportation: Just remember the name, John Harrison. His company will contact you once you’re signed up for a stand. He will arrange for pick up, transpor-tation, customs clearance, on-site transfer, set up, re-supply as necessary during the show run, and then transportation back to your US home or wherever you may have to ship what you’ve sold. An extraordinary individual and team, he has been assisting the US companies for at least the last four INTERSCHUTZ shows (20+ years). Exhibitor Transportation (Airline, Train, Car Rental): Marie Coleman*, PH: 916-

682-2537, [email protected], can make these arrangements/reservations, or you can contact your own travel agent. The earlier booking the better your selection of flights. Unless the in-

country airlines, primarily Luf-thansa, and Air Berlin, beef up their fleet size of aircraft, seats into Leipzig will be on commut-er/regional sized aircraft, which translates into 40-50 paxs. max. per flight. * Note: Marie lives in California.Hotel Accommodations: We have blocked rooms at 4 hotels within the Leipzig area. Each hotel is rated at 4 stars in the German system, and a site visit by our US team has been made to each hotel. They all are first class, clean, modern, with WiFi capabilities, “beer gardens” (and you can’t beat German beer), and sleep sin-gle, twin, double (some suites are available). Rates will be expensive but our rates will be beat any you’ll get through a travel agent or directly through a website. Again, contact Ma-rie Coleman for hotel reserva-tions.Our US Team is here to help you get ready and enjoy this great exhibition. Do not hesi-tate to contact any one of us with questions, no matter how trivial. We’ll gladly answer and also post the questions and answers to our website to help others.Donna Hyland, Project Manager, [email protected], PH: 908-735-0559

Marie Coleman, Hotel/Travel Manager, PH: 916-682-2537, [email protected] (PDT)

Bill Kehoe, Project Consultant, [email protected], PH: 703-751-6416

The observation tower and international flags at Leipzig Messe--the Leipzig Trade Centre/Fairgrounds, Leipzig, Ger-many-site of INTERSCHUTZ, 7-12 June 2010, the world’s largest fire, emergency services, disaster response, safety, security show in the world.

By: Bill Kehoe

|| PrEPArING For INTErScHUTZ 2010


ForU.S. exporters, there is one remaining tax incentive. It is calledIC-DISC. The IC-DISC provisions were set forth in the Deficit ReductionActof1984.

What is IC-DISC?IC-DISC is an acronym for Interest Charge – Domestic International SalesCorporation.ItisthelastremainingexportincentiveavailabletoU.S.export-ers.Ithasbeenaroundinitscurrentformsince1984,butdidnotbecomepop-ularuntiltheJobsandGrowthTaxReliefReconciliationActof2003loweredthe capital gains tax rate making it much more attractive for exporters.

It is adomestic ‘paper’ entity thatdoesnot require employees,offices,ortangibleassets.TobeanIC-DISC,acorporationmustbeorganizedunderthelawsofaStateortheDistrictofColumbiaandelectstobetreatedasanIC-DISCandisgovernedunderInternalRevenueCode§§991-997.

What are the benefits?TheIC-DISCprovidespermanenttaxsavingsonaportionofaqualifyingU.S.exporter’sforeignsales.Thesesavingscanbeasmuchas10%oftheexporter’sforeigntradeincomeandthesavingscanbeimmediatelyrealizedontheexport-er’squarterlyestimatedtaxpayments.Thetaxincentiveiscompletelytranspar-enttotheexporter’scustomersanddoesnotaffecttheexporter’soperations.

Which companies can take advantage of IC-DISC?ThedifferententitytypesthatcanusetheIC-DISCincludeflow-throughenti-ties (S-Corps, partnerships, LLCs, etc.); and closely-held C-Corps. In addition, mostexportersneedatleast$1millioninforeignsalesbeforethisisaviabletaxstrategy.It’simportanttonotethatyoudonothavetobethemanufacturerofanyproductstotakeadvantageofIC-DISC–youqualifyifyouexportdomes-tically produced products.

The industries that have taken advantage of IC-DISC include:ManufacturersDistributorsSoftware CompaniesEngineering/Architectural firms working on buildings/structures in foreign

locations

How does IC-DISC work?Asanexample,let’suseafictionalexportingentitycalledXYZCompany.XYZCompanyformsatax-exemptIC-DISC;XYZCompanypaysacommissiontotheIC-DISCbasedupontheInternal

RevenueCodeandpertinentTreasuryRegulations;XYZCompanydeducts thecommissionsfromitsordinary incometaxedat

35%;TheIC-DISCpaysnotaxonthecommissionsbecauseitistax-exempt;TheIC-DISCdistributesdividendstoitsshareholderswhicharetaxedatthe

capitalgainsrateof15%;Theresultingtaxsavingsare20%ofthecommissions.

IC-DISC UnderutilizedIC-DISChasbeenaroundsince1984buthasbeenunderutilized.Recently,

this underutilization was due to the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion (EIE). EIEwasaU.S. taxpolicysignedinto lawbyPresidentClintononNovember16, 2000 that provided U.S. exporters significant permanent tax savings onqualifiedexportsofAmericangoods(salesandleases).TheEIETaxBenefitwasapplicablebetweenOct.1,2000andthroughDec.31,2004andwasphasedoutcompletelyin2006.Thebenefitswereavailabletosoleproprietors,partnerships,S-corporations and C-corporations. So many exporters were taking advantage of the EIE as opposed to the IC-DISC.

Now that the EIE is no longer available, we have seen an increase inIC-DISC usage since 2006. Not all companies can make the transitionfromEIEtoIC-DISCbecausepubliclytradedcompaniesdonotqualifyforIC-DISC as they did for EIE. In addition, IC-DISC is more complex than EIE andnotaswellknownbycompaniesandCPAs,hencemanycompaniesthatareeligibletousetheincentivehavenot.

Should you hire a consulting firm?If you decide to take a look at IC-DISC, should you use a consulting firm? As with most highly specialized tax incentives, it is recommended that a com-pany should use an outside consulting firm with expertise in IC-DISC for the following reasons:

TomaximizeIC-DISCbenefits:It is more efficient and minimizes disruption to your companyUsingafirm’sknowledge,theycananalyzetheavailableallocationmeth-

odologies to arrive at theoptimal commissionamountona transactionbytransactionbasis

YourIC-DISCstatusisprotectedbyensuringnounqualifiedtransactionsareusedinthecommissioncalculations;unqualifiedtransactionscancausesignificanttaxestobeowedtotheIRS

No need to hire anyone;Somefirmsofferfreeauditdefense.

SummaryTheIC-DISCisthelastremainingexportincentiveavailabletoU.S.exportersand is greatly underutilized. Flow through entities and closely-held C-Corps thathaveexports inexcessof$1millioncanuse the IC-DISC. Permanenttaxsavingscanbeasmuchas10%ofanexporter’sforeigntradeincomeandthesavingscanbeimmediatelyrealizedonquarterlyestimatedtaxpayments.And finally, it is recommended that you seek an outside consulting firm to help you take advantage of the IC-DISC export tax incentive.

About the Authors:The authors are Zee Makhani, a Senior Engineering Director with Paradigm Partners and Mark Lauber, VP of Marketing at Paradigm Partners. Paradigm Partners is a pro-fessional tax services firm delivering government sponsored incentives to small and mid-sized companies. Mark’s email is [email protected] and his phone number is (281) 558-7100 X-105. Our website is www.ParadigmLP.com.

|| U.S. EXPorTErS – lAST rEMAINING EXPorT TAX INcENTIVE

By: Zee Makhani and Mark Lauber, Paradigm Partners


|| || U.S. cENSUS bUrEAU

Industry data from the 2007 Economic Census are starting to appear! In March,weannounced thepublicationofadvancedata for sectorsandsub-sectors of the economy. Now we are starting to release the more detailed industrydatayoumayhavebeenwaitingfor.

When will we have data for the industries your association follows? All industrieswillbepublishedbeforetheendof2009,butwecan’tprojectexactpublicationdates.Whatwecandoissendyouane-mailassoonasthedatabecomeavailable.

Sign up for our new NotifyMe service.Checkoffeachindustryyouareinterested in--as many as you want. We will send you an e-mail every time one or more of your industries appears. Each e-mail will include urls so that you can go straight to the data.

The economic census provides comprehensive industry, geographic, and product detail aboutU.S. businesses every 5 years. Formore informationaboutthecensus,andmoreaboutyourindustry,visit business.census.gov.

• See2007dataforindustriesalreadypublished,• ViewgraphicIndustrySnapshots,and• See if theCensusBureaupublishesmonthlyquarterly, or annual

dataforyourindustry,complementingthe2007EconomicCensus.Questions? ContactPaulZeisset,BobMarske,orLaurieToreneat301-

[email protected].

|| In MemoriamFAMA is sincerely saddened to report the passing of John Gill (Dec. 24, 2008) - Equipment Sales, Texas Firefighters Tools

Marilyn Dobbs (Feb. 10, 2009) – Wife of Ed Dobbs (Spartan Chassis)

Barbara Rose Barnes (Feb. 22, 2009) – Mother of Stacy (Dan) Peters (Pierce Mfg.)

Thomas Patrick Creese (Mar. 2, 2009) – Brother of Ken Creese (Sutphen)

Barry Spotts (Mar. 4, 2009) – Son of Jerry & Hazel Spotts (Churchville, retired)

William Harold Doebler (Apr. 27, 2009) – Father of Bill Doebler (Crimson Fire)

Eugene (Nick) Schellin (May 1, 2009) – Akron Brass (retired 1983)

Jim Smessaert (May 28, 2009) – Front Range Fire/Pierce Mfg.

Please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers … may they rest in peace.

Carolyn Jackson–Asmanyofyouknowbynow,onDecember18,2008CarolynJacksoncelebratedherlastdayasaCumminsemploy-ee. She decided to take an early retirement package offered by the company. Althoughshe’s tooyoungtocompletelyretire,Carolynconsidered this “semi-retirement for now.” She will surely utilize the knowledge, market-ing skills and common sense she’s acquiredover the years to make the right decision for her life going forward.

CarolynsentFAMAanoteandit’smeantforyouall.Itreads,

I would like to make sure that all of you know that you have been the most inspiring group of individuals that I have ever met. People can work a lifetime and never truly enjoy their jobs. My experience has been rewarding; I’ve enjoyed working with the fire truck industry. The energy that you have for this industry is unsurpassed in any market that I have worked in my 29 years at Cummins. I have personal ties with this industry that will always be cherished, from the first day I stepped on the bus for my first FAMA meet-ing where I was immediately treated like one of the family until today. That’s something for each of you to be proud about and makes FAMA so great. I know that you will treat my replacement with the same dignity and respect. One thing for sure, Andrea will miss tagging along with me to Key West and my FAMA family. Just wanted each of you to know that I’ll miss the people in this industry the most!

Carolyn’[email protected]–stayintouch!

Garry Briese –Garry Briese’s recovery is “moooving” alongwell since hisaorticvalvereplacementonApril20th (a procedure he knew would happen eventuallyalthoughhewasabletodelayitforsome18years.Itwastimetobitethebulletsohecouldgetonwiththerestofhislife).Garryhasanewfoundappreciationforcowsasitwasabovinevalvethatwillenablehimtocontinue hiking, skiing, camping and playing with Grandson Ezra. In a recent communication, Garry reports he is making the most of the unexpected gift of a short breakto“enjoythe journey”andhe’s look-ing forward to exploring the future of new opportunities.

|| oN A PErSoNAl NoTE


|| || oN A PErSoNAl NoTE

By: Mike Henning

Planning for the business, family andthe total succession process takes time, skills and money. Small and large com-

panies alike understand the need for succession planning,butmostwillnottakethetimetodealwith the organizational development issues, relationshipproblemsbetweensiblings,in-lawsor generations. Most do not have the skills to plan for potential successor development or the

perilsinvolvedfortheseniorgeneration’sdeparturefromthecompany.Infact,mostwillturntomattersoftaxsavingsschemesorbusinessproblemsolving.

Our observation in today’s businessworld is that the top 20 percent ofcompanies in most industries regularly perform strategic planning for the company. Surveys indicate that if owners of a company are willing to spend thetimeandenergytoplanfortheircompany’sfuture,theyaremostlikelytoplan for the succession of its management, leadership, ownership and control. Ofcourse,thisisanimportantlessonforthe80percentwhofailtoplan,thuslivingandworkingonaday-to-daybasis. Forsomewhoarelucky, itmightworkout, but for the vastmajority, their companies anddreamsmeet theirdemiselongbeforeitisnecessary.

For those who plan in an orderly and timely manner, they will address the areas that follow. Theywillholdtheparticipantsaccountableandtherewillbeclearlystatedconsequencesforunsatisfactoryperformanceorproductivity,no excuses.

Business Succession Plan• Familycareerplanning• Successortraining• Leadershipdevelopment• Choosingthenextleader(s)• Lettinggopolicy• Financialsecurityforseniors• Asset/controltransition• Roleofnon-familyemployees

Strategic Business Planning• Vision&Missionstatements• Settinggoals&objectives• Assigningresponsibilities• Accountability• Compensation• Teambuilding• Regularmeetingsfor: –management&employees –advisers –planningcommittee –boardofdirectors

Family Planning• Formingthefamilycouncil• Designrulesofoperation• Schedulemeetings/retreats• Setgoals&howtoachieve• Developpolicies: –Familyemployment –Compensation –Positions&titles –Addressrelationships –Communications –Timespendatwork –Leadershippreparation

Estate Planning• Makingorupdatingwills/trusts• Creatingjusticeforfamily• Durablepowersofattorney/health• Lifeinsurance• Buy/sellagreement• Emergencyplans

Addressingthemanyissueslistedabovetakestimeandmethodicalplanningprocesses. We encourage owners and their families not to expect too much toofast,ascareerchoices,lettinggoprocesses,establishingfinancialsecurity,choosing the future leadership model for the company, and many other areas thatdotakemuchthoughtanddiscussionmustbeconsidered. Thesechal-lengesarenoteasyandmostchangecomesslowly,consequently,gettingtheproper support for the planning process is critical.

Long-term Successful CompaniesA.T.CrossCo.(Pens)1846LeviStrauss&Co.(Apparel)1853KingRanch1853Anheuser-BuschCo.(Beer)1860R.R.Donnelley&Sons(Publishing)1864E.I.DuPont(Chemicals)1802

Unsuccessful CompaniesDartGroup(Chapter11)U-Haul(Truckrental)(manylawsuits)RevlonCosmetics,(estrangedsiblingpartnership)Mondavi(Wine)(Daddies,siblingssplitup)LouisvilleTimesCo.(Non-activeshareholders)

This article appeared in Mike Henning’s Family Firm Advisor newsletter, for more information about receiving one free copy of our newsletter, visit us at our web site: www.mikehenning.com, e-mail: [email protected]. or call -- 217-342-3728.

|| “All IN THE FAMIlY”

The Perils of Being Caught Without a Succession Plan … Doing it Right


David Durstine

Rick Singer

|| Member News

Akron Brass CompanyWooster, Ohio — April 13, 2009 – Akron Brassannounced today that David Durstine has beenappointedtoVicePresidentofMarketing. Durstinewill be responsible for leading themarketing groupof customer service, technical support, product line management as well as advertising and communica-tion. Joining the company in 2001, Durstinemostrecently served as Director ofMunicipal Sales. Tocontinue focus on customer support, Jeff BensonandJasonRiggenbachhavebeenappointedtoglobalproduct linemanagerswhileRandyTharp andPhilHodgdon will add to technical support.

Rick Singer, Vice President of North AmericanSales, will assume responsibilities for municipalsales in addition to his current responsibilitieswithIndustrialandCanada.SteveRobertson,DirectorofCanadianSales,willcontinuetoleadsaleseffortswitha team strategically located throughout the country.

Bostrom (h.O.) Company, Inc.[May 6, 2009] H.O. Bostrom is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Oemichen to the position of Marketing and European Sales Manager. In his newposition,Mikewillberesponsiblefordevelopingandimplementingthecompany’sstrategicmarketingprogram,aswellaspositioningthecompanyforadditional growth in the European, Middle Eastern and African marketplace. Mike reports directly to PaulBostrom,VicePresidentofSalesandMarketing.

Mikebringsalmost20yearsofinternationalsales,product marketing, trade compliance, and customer service management experience to his new position. Weareexcited tohaveMikeonboardand look for-wardtohisfuturecontributions.

Code 3, Inc.[May 5, 2009] Pat Hester has been named OEMManager–WesternRegionandCanadaforCode3,Inc., a manufacturer of emergency lighting and warn-ing products.

Pat brings 20 years of experience from FederalSignal to his new role, including a strong focus on fire and ambulance manufacturers. He is activelyinvolvedwithFAMA(FireApparatusManufacturers’Association)andhasservedasChairmanoftheTechnicalCommitteeandasamemberofitsBoardofDirectors.

Crimson Fire, Inc.[Brandon, S.D., February 23, 2009]–NewYork-basedArrowheadEquipmenthasjoinedCrimsonFire,Inc.asanewdealer.TheBrandon,S.D.-basedmanu-

facturer of custom fire trucks, aerials and rescue vehicles said that Arrowhead Equipmentwillserve10countiesinUpstateNewYorkfromitsheadquartersinQueensbury.Founded in1987,Arrowhead is a full-line truckequipmentdealerthatsellsandservicesalltypesoftruckequipment.

“Arrowhead Equipment has an excellent reputation in the truck equip-ment industry, and we are pleased that they have chosen to represent Crimson Fire as they expand into the sales and service of fire apparatus,” said William F. Doebler, vice president of sales and marketing for Crimson. “Theirexperience in service and repair of heavy-duty equipmentmakes them ide-ally suited to provide support to fire departments throughout the region. Arrowhead is a good addition to Crimson’s growing network of dealers.”

2008 Dealer award winners for Crimson Fire, Inc.:[March, 2009]Dealer of the Year MetroFireApparatuswhichcoversthestateofTexasTop Salesman PeterLaake,Sr.,withFESCOEmergencySaleswho coversDelaware,DistrictofColumbia,Maryland, andVirginiaTop Aerial Dealership MetroFireApparatuswhichcoversthestateofTexasRookie of the Year FESCO Emergency Sales which covers Delaware, DistrictofColumbia,Maryland,andVirginiaMost Improved H&WEmergencyVehicleswhichcoversAlaska, Oregon, and Washington

Eagle Compressors, Inc.[June 17, 2009] Anthony M. Gonzalez, General Manager of Eagle Compressors, Inc.,hasannouncedthatDavidG.RuttermanhasjoinedthecompanyasSalesManager. In this position, Rutterman’s responsibili-tieswill include thedevelopmentofsalesobjectives,expansion and management of the Authorized Sales &ServiceDistributornetwork,growthofOEMandGovernment sales and directing the development, maintenance and update of all sales tools.

David brings extensive experience in ourmar-ket,distributornetworkdevelopmentandfield salesmanagement, which he developed over the last 24yearsasthetopRegionalSalesRepresentativeatCompAirMakoCompressors.HealsohasaBachelor’sdegreeinBusinessAdministrationfromGroveCityCollegeinPennsylvania.

“David’s24yearsofexperienceinthebreathingairmarketmakeshimanideal Sales Manager for Eagle,” said Gonzalez. “I am confident that David will havea significant impact in thegrowthofourbusi-ness for years to come.”

Other recent Eagle employment news includes:DavidCrews has been promoted to Production

Manager. In his new position David will head up all of Eagle Compressors manufacturing operations includingthemetalplantandassembly.CrewsjoinedEagle Compressors in 1994 working in the metal


plantandsincehehasprogressivelybeenpromotedtoseveralpositionsinallmanufacturingareasandproducttesting,andhadbeentheCustomerServiceDepartmentSupervisorsince2005.

“Dave’s experience in all of Eagle’s procedures, makes him an idealProductionManager,”saidGonzalez.“Hehasextensiveknowledgeaboutourbusiness andwe are sureDavewill continue to propel Eagle as a leader inbreathingaircompressorindustry.”

Seth Hartzog has joined the company as Applications Engineer. In this position, Hartzog is responsible for technical support for sales andengineering.WithSeth’sbackgroundasaRefractory/CAD designer for Resco Products, Inc., and as aProductionSupervisoratInstroTek,Inc.,SethbringstheexperienceneededforofferingEagleCompressors’customers superb technical assistance. Sethmajoredin Construction Engineering and Management at NorthCarolinaStateUniversity.

Elkhart Brass Mfg. Co., Inc.[February 9, 2009] Elkhart Brass is pleased to announceThomas (Tom)NegleyhasacceptedthepositionofRegionalSalesManagerforourMidwestRegion, which includes the states of: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri,Nebraska,NorthDakota,SouthDakota,andWisconsin.

Tom comes to uswith over 31 years experience in the Fire Service.HeisapastChiefoftheRalstonVolunteerFireDepartmentandRescueSquad- inadditiontohavingheldotheroffices, includingFireMarshalland Rescue Captain, with the RalstonVolunteer Department. Tom hasalso served in several capacities, most notably in the office of Vice-President,withtheNebraskaChapteroftheInternationalAssociationofArson Investigators.

Inhismostrecentprofessionalposition,TomservedasaVicePresidentand a Manager of FireGuard, Inc. Prior to his work with FireGuard’sEmergencyEquipmentandVehicleSalesunit,Tomspent20yearsintheinsur-ance industrywithStateFarmInsurance. TomalsoholdsaBS inCriminalJustice and Law Enforcement.

[March 24, 2009] Elkhart Brass is pleased to announce David (Dave) RobinsonhasacceptedthepositionofIndustrialSalesManagerfortheUnitedStates.WorkingwithElkhart’sIndustrialMonitorSystemsEngineeringteam,he will be focused on the sale of Industrial Systems and Electric RemoteControlMonitorSystems(ERCMs).

Davecomestouswithover25yearsexperienceintheindustrialfiresec-tor. Most recently, Dave served as National Account Manager, Government SalesDivisionwithHagemeyerNorthAmerica.PriortoworkingwithVallenSafety Supply (now Hagemeyer North America), Dave was a Fire Safety Inspector for 10 years; he has also been an instructorwith several privateindustrialfire schools.Daveattendedboth theUniversityofTexas and theUniversityofHouston.

[June 23, 2009]ElkhartBrassispleasedtoannounceRobertDornseif(Rob)hasacceptedthepositionofRegionalSalesManagerforourMideastTerritoryRegion,whichincludes:Illinois,Indiana,Kentucky,Michigan,andOhio.

Robcomes touswithover15yearsofSalesexperience, includingmorethan7yearswith5AlarmFireandSafety.Robhasalsobeenavolunteerfire-fighter with several volunteer fire departments, including several years with therankofLieutenantfortheAboiteTownshipFireDepartment.

Ferrara Fire Apparatus[April 15, 2009] Holden,LA–FerraraFireApparatus,Inc.hasfinishedcon-structionof twoadditionalon-site testing facilities,a tilt tableanda secondpump test pit.

The tilt table is built in compliancewith SAE andNFPA requirements,givingFerrara’scustomersanothercomplianceoptionforthenewNFPA1901standardforvehiclestability.Likethefirepump,aerial,andelectricaltestingFerraraoffers,thetilttabletestingisavailablefromanindependentthirdparty,Underwriters’Laboratories,Inc.

The other test facility Ferrara has added, a second pump test area, is designed to accommodate their growing industrial fire apparatus business.Aman-made lakewasbuiltonFerrara’spropertyandadryhydrant systeminstalledthatallowsdraftingbyuptothree8”hardsuctionlinesatthesametime.Thewateristhendischargedbackintothelake,makingitidealfortest-ing4000GPMorlargermonitorsassociatedwithindustrialfireapparatus,aswellasthe1250and1500GPMwaterwaysfeaturedonFerrara’slineofheavydutyaerialapparatus.RequiredULtestingequipmentisatthenewtestarea,allowingFerraratoconductuptofourULpumptestsatthesametime,whenused with their existing pump test facility.

Fire Research Corp.[May 11, 2009] Fire Research Corporation hasadded two additional Regional Sales Managers toitsstaff.

Adam Edwards, a Kent State graduate, will becovering the New England States as well as several Middle Atlantic States as Northeast Regional SalesManager. Matthew Pitzer

willbecoveringtheMidwestattheMidwestRegionalSales Manager. Matt is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and has had previous experience as aRegionalSalesManager.

hannay Reels[May 5, 2009] Employee Changes - Denis Bleile is taking over the position of SalesManager,fromDavidGuilzonatHannayReels.

Retiring after 39 years of service isHannayReelsí SalesManager,DaveGuilzon. Dave spent most of his years with Hannay in the Sales Department, servingmorethan12yearsasSalesManager,andinthattimehelpedinnovate

|| Member News continued


Adam Edwards

Matthew Pitzer


and develop many new products. He now takes a well-deserved retirementwithhiswife of 46 years,Carol.The entire Hannay Reels family wishes Dave all thebest,andthankshimforhismanyyearsdedicatedtoserving our customers.

Assuming the Sales Manager title in May, 2009isDenisBleile. Withover25yearsexperienceintheindustrial sector, Denis comes to Hannay as a well respected figure in the field of OEM sales. Denis is moving to Westerlo from

Norwalk,Ohio,withhiswifeof23years,Anne,andtheir two daughters. He looks forward to partnering with our customers, providing them with the highest levelsofquality,quickdelivery,industry-leadingser-vice, and unmatched support after the sale. We look forward to Denis spearheading our continued market expansion, and leading our sales team through the challengesofthenewglobaleconomy.

havis-Shields Equipment Corp.[March 3, 2009] Havis-Shields today announced a merger with LEDCO-Chargeguard,Plymouth,Mich., amanufacturerofmobile computing solu-tions and vehicle power management systems. The merger of these two trusted industryleaderswilldefinethenewmobileworkspace.Thispartnershiptrulydelivers on maximizing worker productivity.

ThecombinationofHavis-ShieldsandLEDCO-CHARGEGUARDcreatesabroadportfoliothatbetterservesthemobileworkspacebyofferingacom-plete line of products.

As part of the merger, current Havis-Shields president, Joe Bernert, will become the chairmanandchief executiveofficerof thenewly formedcom-pany. Michael Bernert, currently the vice president of sales and marketing for Havis-Shields,willbecomethepresidentofthemergedcompanies,andcur-rentLEDCO-CHARGEGUARDpresident,MikeZani,will become thenewcompany’schiefoperatingofficer.

Havis-Shields’JoeBernertsaidthemergerisawin-winforbothcompaniesand will provide its respective customers with an expanded line of the most comfortable and safest solutions in the industry. “We think themerger ofHavis-Shields and LEDCO-CHARGEGUARD will give us the opportunitytoincreasethelevelofserviceandthequalityofproductsweprovidetoourcustomers”.

Michael Bernert further explained that “this merger will give our Fleet and IT sales channel partners access to both LEDCO-CHARGEGUARDS’sindustry leading docking products and Havis-Shields innovative mounting solutions.”

LEDCO-CHARGEGUARD’sMikeZaniagreed,andsaidthemergerwillbring two industry leaders together to provide customers with a “one-stopshop”foralltheirmobilecomputing,missioncriticalfleetandvehiclepowermanagement solutions. “Havis-Shields is one of the most trusted names in publicsafetyandmissioncriticalequipment.Thatreputation,coupledwiththeperfect fitofLEDCO-CHARGEGUARD’srespectiveproduct linesgives

us the ability toquickly respond to customerneedswith thebest andmostcompletemobileworkplace equipment in themarket, all fromone source,”Zanisaid.

ThecompanyheadquarterswillremaininWarminster,Pa.,andthecurrentLEDCO-CHARGEGUARDmanufacturingandmarketingofficeswillremainintheDetroitsuburbofPlymouth,Mich.JoeBernertsaidthateachcompanywillcontinuewitha“businessasusual”philosophy,and thatcurrentHavis-ShieldsandLEDCO-CHARGEGUARDcustomerswillcontinuetoworkwiththeir current company representatives for products and services.

Pierce Manufacturing, Inc.[May 26, 2009]OnMay21st,Pierce Manufacturing Inc.and Harley-Davidson Motor Company announced that $135,000 was raised throughtheir Full Throttle Support campaign and sweepstakes to assist the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). A special cer-emony commemorating the conclusion of this three-month endeavor was held in Washington, D.C. at the DC Fire and EMS Department, Engine3firehouse.Aspartoftheceremo-ny, sweepstakes winner Brian P. VickersofKaty,Texas,avolunteerfirefighter,wasawarded a Harley Davidson® Fat Boy® Firefighter Special Edition motorcycle.

The NFFF is a nonprofit organization thatremembersandhonorsAmerica’sfall-enfirefightersbyprovidingtheirsurvivorswithaplacetoturnforhelprebuildingtheirlives.Spousesandchildrenoffallenfirefightersareeligible,throughNFFF,foreducation,scholarshipassistanceaswellasjobtraining.Furthermore,NFFF-established peer networks offer families and coworkers essential emotionalsupport.

“Theresponsewe’vereceivedfromacrossthecountrytotheFullThrottleSupportcampaignisbeyondourexpectationsandweareproudtoputthesefundstoworkthroughthevitallyimportanteffortsoftheNFFF,”saidWilsonJones, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president Fire & Emergency.“WebelieveinandsupporttheNFFFmission.Thiscampaignisjust one way we can honor those firefighters who gave the ultimate sacrifice to serve their fellow citizens.”

Nearly12,000sweepstakesentrieswerereceivedduringthecampaign.Thewinner,BrianVickersisaHarley-Davidsonenthusiastanda16-yearveteranvolunteerfirefightercurrentlywith theWestlakeVolunteerFireDepartment


Wilson Jones (Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president) and Steve St. Thomas (Harley-Davidson Motor Company director of worldwide police and fleet sales) present check to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Also pictured are Tina Hauk, surviving spouse of a fallen firefighter, and Brian Vickers, Full Throttle Support award winner and volunteer firefighter.

inHouston,Texas.BrianwasthrilledattheMay21stceremonytoreceivethekeys to a custom, one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Firefighter Special Edition motorcycle.

“Istillcan’tbelievethatI’vewon.It’sanamazingmachineandIcan’twaittotakeitonaride,”saidVickers.“It’sreallygreatthatthissweepstakeshelpssucha worthy cause which is why I entered in the first place. The work of the NFFF issoimportant.MywifeandIarebigbelieversinhighereducation,andwe’reespeciallyimpressedbythescholarshipstheFoundationprovidestosurvivingfamilymembers.”

The Pierce and Harley-Davidson joint Full Throttle Support campaignto benefit the NFFF was supplemented by proceeds from sales of officiallylicensedPierceandHarley-Davidsonmerchandise.Additionally,inApriltheOshkoshCorporationFoundationdonatedacheck for$25,000 to theNFFFas part of the FullThrottle Support initiative. (PierceManufacturing is anOshkosh Corporation company.)

Attending the May 21st ceremony were representatives from Harley-Davidson,Pierce,membersoftheRedHelmetRide(agroupofmotorcycle-enthusiast firefighters and friends), dignitaries from Washington D.C., family membersoffallenfirefightersandNFFFrepresentatives.

“The primary mission of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is tomake a tangible difference in the lives of surviving families of theseheroes,”saidRonSiarnicki,NationalFallenFirefightersFoundationexecu-tivedirector. “Without thehelpoforganizations likeOshkosh,PierceandHarley-Davidson,wewould not be able to sustain and growour supportprograms.”

Pro Poly of America[May 1, 2009]ProPolyispleasedtoannouncethehiringofNickDeanasanOEM and Government account sales rep for the company. In addition to serv-inghiscountryintheU.S.MarineCorp,Nickobtainedhisbachelordegreeinaerospace administration and has many years experience in management and sales with DHL shipping in Orlando. Nick is married to Maureen and when not selling polymer products in the fire industry, Nick enjoys golfing, kayaking, hikingandbiking.

R-O-M Corporation[March 17, 2009] R-O-MCorporation,amanufac-turerofproductsforthefireservice,fooddistributionandbuildingsecurityindustries,haspromotedSteveTouchtontothenewlycreatedpositionofemergencyandspecialtyproductsmanager.Touchtonwillman-agesalesof thefirm’scompartmentaccessproducts,includingR-O-MRoll-upDoors,CargoTrays, LEDCompartment Lighting and Hose Bed Covers.

Touchton joinedR-O-M in 2005 as theMid-Central territorymanager.He traveled five states and one Canadian province providing on-site assistance with OEM and end-user design and installation needs. The Air Force veteran holdsaBSinSafetyEngineeringandhasover15yearsofexperienceservingthe fire service and other specialty markets.

“As we continue our growth as a single-source provider of compartment accesssolutions,Stevehasalreadyproventobeavaluableresourceforourfire service and specialty customers,” says R-O-M president Steve Briggs.“Hisengineeringandsalesexpertise,productknowledgeandcreativeprob-lemsolvingskillshelpR-O-M’scustomerssucceedbyoperatingsafelyandefficiently.”

Touchtonwill helpdirect a sales teamof 20members, including cus-tomer development representatives, sales support personnel and nationwide territorymanagers.He’llcontinuetohelpthecompany’sengineeringteamidentify product enhancements and pursue new product opportunities.

Rosenbauer America[June 4, 2009]Lyons,SD–RosenbauerispleasedtowelcomeWest-Markasits newNorthernCalifornia andAlaska dealer for the Rosenbauer productlines.West-MarkhasbeenatrustedandreliablecompanyfordecadesandisproudtostandbehindtheRosenbauerbrandanditsproducts.

West-Mark is familyowned-and-operatedandhasbeenan integralpartoftheNorthernCaliforniamobileequipmentindustrysince1967.West-MarkwillselltheentireRosenbauerproductlineinadditiontoitsownproducts.

Seagrave Fire Apparatus[May 8, 2009]Seagraveheldits2008SalesAwardsbanquetandpresentationonSaturday,March14,aspartofits2009NationalDealerMeeting.

TheDealeroftheYearAwardandtheawardforMostPumpersSoldwenttoEmergencyProducts,Inc.,ofThorofare,NewJersey.

Jim Shuster (Pennsylvania), who is a Seagrave sales representative forEmergency Products, Inc., took home the Therese Sell Award and theSalesmanoftheYearAwardwithco-recipientDennisWarren,whoisRegionalSales Manager for the area.



Seagrave Fire Apparatus Award Recipients: (missing Ken Van Krey), Chairman & CEO Joe Neiner is pictured second from right in the back row. Awards were presented at Seagrave’s National Dealer Meeting in March 2009

RayDyrcz and Rich Partridge of Rescue Vehicles, Inc. (Bohemia, NewYork) were presented with the Most Improved Dealer award and Most Aerial Sales award.

SusanFurryofInterstateTruckEquipment(Hagerstown,Maryland)waspresentedwiththeMostRefurbSalesaward.

The Golden Wrench Award went to Gene Davis of Maryland Emergency Products(Baltimore,Maryland).

Regional SalesManagerDennisWarren (Maryland)waspresentedwiththePlatinumTruckaward.

Seagrave Engineer Ken Van Krey who was unable to attend the event,received the Special Achievement award for his work on Seagrave's Matrixbodydesign.

[June 15, 2009] Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC announced that its commercial vehicle manufacturing and apparatus facility in Rock Hill, South Carolina(Seagrave Carolina), moved to a larger facility within the city.

Seagrave Carolina relocated from its former facility of Lesslie Highway tomeet itsgrowingneedsandtobetterserveSeagravecustomers. Thenewfacilityislocatedat251NorthWilsonStreetandhas19,500squarefeetunderone roof.

Smeal Fire Apparatus Co.[March 3, 2009] Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. was presented the “Industry of theYearAward” byGovernorDaveHeinemann at theNebraskaDiplomatsPassportWeekend September 12, 2008. TheNebraska Diplomats Inc. is anonprofitcorporationthatprovidesaconnectiontoNebraskaleaderswithoutpolitical, organizational or geographic restrictions. The Diplomats mission is tohelpbuildthestate’seconomybysupportingtheNebraskaDepartmentofEconomicDevelopment’seffortstoassistthegrowthandexpansionofexisting

businesses,attractnewbusiness,andimproveNebraska’sbusinessclimateandcompetitiveness.TheawardwasacceptedbyDelwinSmeal,PresidentofSmealFire Apparatus Co. and Ardath Smeal, widow of founder Donald L. Smeal.

Donald Smeal, Founder of Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. is Enshrined into theNebraskaBusinessHallofFame

The lateDonald Smealwas inducted posthumously into theNebraskaBusinessHallofFameThursdayFebruary5th,2009.BarryKennedy,presi-dentoftheNebraskaChamberofCommerce&Industry,recentlyannouncedSmealasoneofaselectgroupofbusinessleaderstobeinducted.

Established in 1992 by the state chamber and the University OfNebraskaCollegeOfBusinessAdministration, theBusinessHallofFamerecognizes business leaders whose contributions to the state and itseconomy make them deserving of recognition. Hall of Fame candidates are nominated by members of the state’s business community, businessassociations and academia.

Don Smeal was the 4th generation of a family that homesteaded innortheastNebraska. He learnedaboutmechanical thingsonthefarmandtook particular interest in the steam engine tractor that was used to operate the saw mill on the farm. In high school he concentrated on math, physics and science. After high school he did custom threshing, saw milling and silage cutting until he was drafted to serve during WWII. Before leaving for thewarhemarriedhishighschoolsweetheart,ArdathRenter.

After returning to his home town of Snyder, Nebraska after theWar,Smeal bought a corn sheller and a baler and did custom farmwork until1954.HethenboughtarepairshopinSnyderandstartedaweldingbusiness.Thoughhehadbeenworkingoutofstatewithanirrigationcompany,Donaldwantedtostay inNebraska. Withsixofhisninechildrenalreadybornheworkedhardtobuildandinventamarketableproduct.Smealdesignedandbuiltanirrigationpipemovingmachine,atruckbodywithanaugersystem,andthenawellpump-pullingmachine.ThisproductwasthebasisofSmealManufacturing Company.

Intheearly60’s,SnyderRuralFireBoardaskedDontofixaleakinitsfiretrucktank.ThetankitselfcouldnotberepairedsoDonbeingavolunteerfirefighterhimselfandknowingtheneedsofthecommunityofferedanotherarrangement.IftheBoardwouldbuyanewchassis,Donwoulddesignandbuildthemanewfiretruckthatwouldhaveaportablepump,aPTOdrivenpump,a1,200gallonwater tank,anenclosedcrewcabandamounted42’hydraulic aerial ladder. This was the first truck in the fire truck industry to includeallofthesefeaturesononetruck.By1966,SmealhadbeennamedNebraska’sSmallBusinessmanoftheYear.

Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. is a major competitor in the fire and rescue industry and has thousands of fire trucks and aerial ladders protecting lives and property throughout North America. The Smeal companies are family ownedwithfourofDonaldandArdath’schildrenworkingalongwiththeirspousesandchildren.Dondidnotstrayfromhisrootsandbuilthiscom-panies with folks who have the same values and work ethic as his pioneer forbearerswhosettled theNebraskaprairies. DondiedOctober19,2004.He left his companies in the hands of his family and long-term dedicated employees, who share the same commitment to their customers.



Accepting the “Industry of the Year Award” Left to right Tim D. White President of the Nebraska Diplomats, Delwin Smeal, Ardath Smeal, Governor Dave Heineman

|| Thanks to Fire Engineering

Lyle Hoyt Eric Schlett Chad Wimmer Senior Vice President Vice President—Fire Group Magazine Team Leader

TheFAMABoardandMembershipgratefullyacknowledge thegenerosityofFire EngineeringmanagementandstaffforthedesignandprintingoftheFlyer.

Task Force Tips, Inc.[February 6, 2009] TFT offers FAST answer to truck manufacturers’challenges.WithtechnologicaladvancementsandchangesinNFPA1901standards, the challenges to North American fire apparatus manufactur-ersaregrowingmarkedly.Inresponse,TaskForceTipshascomeupwitha timely answer– theFireApparatusSolutionsTeam–more commonlyknownasFAST.

“This is an industrywhere the needs aremany, and so often, they’reimmediate,”saidDougMiller,TFTMidwesternFASTrepwho’saseasonedfirefighterandTFTsalesrepwithsome20yearsexperienceineachfield.“Peoplewe’reworkingwithneedtoknowiftheycall,they’regoingtogetan immediate answer, or at least have the comfort of knowing that someone else is working hard with them to find a solution.”

South Bend native Ron Truhler has stepped onboard to fill FAST’ssecond crew slot. Truhler, also a firefighter, is probably best known forthe millions of dollars in sales he garnered during his years of work at two leadingMidwesterntruckchassismanufacturer/dealers.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with fire truckmanufacturers foryears,andI’m justglad thatTFT isofferingmeachance tobuildon therelationshipsI’vealreadymade,”Truhlercommented.“Manyofthesepeo-plearelongtimefriends–throughfirefightingaswellaswork.Theirdailychallenges are alreadymine. That’s why FAST is so great. Joining themgives me the opportunity to work help these manufacturers with everything I’vegot–andhopefullyalittlemore.”

Truhler will be working with apparatus builders in the Eastern andSouthernU.S.,aswellastheeasternprovincesofCanada.

FirefighterDaveBurns–who’slogged14yearsofserviceforTFT–willround out TFT’s three-member FAST crew. He continues to devote hisenergies and talents to apparatus manufacturers west of the Mississippi River,aswellaswesternCanada.

“InadditiontotheFASTcrewbeingstrategicallylocatedtorespondtofire apparatus manufacturers needs, our service and technical team is on call24hoursadayat800-854-6864,”Burnsexplained.“Technical,instal-lation, application and operational support is only a phone call away, with muchofitavailableatwww.tft.com anytime.”

Althoughteammembersexpecttobeontheroadforalion’sshareoftheir work weeks, each plans to continue his work with the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association (FAMA).

“When you’re looking at a lean economy like we’re facing now, youhavetounderstandthatthere’satrickledowneffectthattoucheseverypartofevery industry,”Burnsexplained.“FireApparatusmanufacturersaren’timmune to that. They have customers coming to them whose needs are evenmore exact because the dollars they have to spend are tighter thaneverbefore.FASTwillallowthemtotapintoaprofessionalfireapparatusequipmentmanufacturingnetworkforhelpinworkingthroughtimesensi-tive situations.”

FormoreinformationaboutTFT’sFASTcrew,pleasevisitwww.tft.com

[February 6, 2009]TFTveteranBrian Podsiadlik will spend abetter part of 2009 travelingthe roadways of the northern NorthAmerica in his new jobasCanadianRegionalManagerforTaskForceTips.

“TFT has a greatrelationship with Canada which I’m hoping to makeeven stronger,”Podsiadlik said.“With the recent introduction of the Technical CustomerService Team, as well as ournewTaskForceTipsUniversity,we have even more resources to helpbusinessesgrow.”

PodsiadlikbeganhiscareerwithTaskForceTipsinJuly,2006,afterreceivinghisBachelorofSciencein EngineeringTechnology fromPurdueUniversity. He’s spent nearly adecade as a professional firefighter, working as a paid-on-call firefighter for Dyer Indiana’s force since2001, andpolishing those skillsduring a two-yearstintasafull-timeIndustrialFirefighter/EMTatMIttalSteel.

“My hands-on experience as a firefighter, along with what I learned during my years with TFT have given me a good foundation for thisposition,”Podsiadliksaid.“Ofcourse,there’salwaysgoingtobesomethingnew to learn. But with a place like Canada as my classroom, life is nothing butgood.”



P.o. box 397, lynnfield, MA 01940-0397Tel & Fax: (781) 334-2911E-Mail: [email protected] Web site: www.fama.org

Editors: Karen Burnham John Sztykiel

Design: Chad WimmerPhotography Credits: Larry Dodson (Spring Meeting)

Paul Darley (Spring Meeting)

Pat Murphy (FDIC)

Rebecca Schenk (Tech Meeting)

Sandra Vandersee (Old Timers Lunch)

—

© Copyright 2009, FAMA, Inc ., MA (USA)

DEADLINE FOR NEXT NEWSLETTER August 30, 2009

Show/Meeting/Contact Date/Phone PlaceMaritimes Fire Chiefs Conf. Unk.

IAFC Missouri Valley Division Jul 9-11 Overland Pk, MO

Firehouse Expo: Contact: Mary Velline, 800-827-8009 Jul 21-26, (Ex. 23-25) Baltimore, MD

Fire-Rescue International Aug 27-29 Dallas, TX

Contact: Sara Baeth at IAFC 443-627-2200

FAMA Tech Meeting Aug 29 Dallas, TX

Incident Management Symposium (Phoenix FD) Sep 2-4 Phoenix, AZ

IAFC Southwestern Div. Sep TBD Little Rock, AR

New Jersey Firefighters Sep 17-18 Wildwood, NJ

Pittsburgh Fire/Rescue & EMS Sep 18-20 Pittsburgh, PA

Contact: Kelly Simon Productions 800-747-5599

FDSOA Annual Conf. Contact: FDSOA 508-881-3114 Sep 21-25 Orlando, FL

Fire Rescue Canada Unk.

National Fallen Fighters Memorial Weekend Oct 3-4 Emmitsburg, MD

Fall Meeting FAMA and FEMSA with Capitol Hill Day Oct 8-9 Washington, DC

Firehouse Central/EMS Mary Velline, 800-827-8009 Oct 26-30 Atlanta, GA

F.I.E.R.O. Fire Station Design Symposium Nov TBD Charlotte, NC

IAFC Volunteer & Combination Officers Symposium Nov 5-8 Clearwater Bch, FL

— CAlEnDAr UPDATES MAy bE FoUnD AT WWW.FAMA.org —Thanks to bob barraclough for developing and continuously updating the events calendar for the benefit of all members.

FAMA’s 2009 FIRE SERVICE TRADE SHOW AND EVENTS CALENDAR

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