Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Montgomery County, MD cancels pumper contract. Cites unresolved business issues with Elite.
A major setback for a new equipment order in Montgomery County, MD. According to a memo obtained by STATter 911, from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services (MCFRS) Chief Tom Carr, an order for 3 dozen new pumpers has been terminated.
Chief Carr wrote in his memo,"... due to unresolved business issues within Elite Fire Apparatus, Inc., I have requested the termination of the MCFRS pumper contract." Elite Fire Apparatus is in Tilleda, Wisconsin. In a January 6, 2007 press release, that can still be accessed through Elite's website, Montgomery County announced the awarding of the contract.
Contacted Monday night, department spokesman Pete Piringer confirmed the order has been cancelled and said Chief Carr's memo speaks for itself.
There have long been questions about financial issues involving Elite. When asked earlier this year about those issues, Montgomery County officials said they were confident the problems had been resolved.
Chief Carr also wrote the county had just accepted the Elite prototype pumper. That pumper was on display in July at the Firehouse Expo in Baltimore (seen above).
In explaining the decision Chief Carr wrote:
The decision to terminate the contract was made only after careful consideration of all potential options. Although difficult, this decision was necessary to ensure all of you will have pumpers in a timely manner that meets the performance goals I have established for the organization. These goals include a cab/chassis with latest generation safety features, state of the art full-featured pump with compressed air foam system (CAFS) and a hose body configuration that allows all companies to operate from a single platform, including supply and attack line configurations.
Citing "the fragile condition of the current fleet of pumpers", Chief Carr wrote that the county will continue the contract for the remaining 36 cab and chassis units from Spartan Gladiator. At the same time, they will solicit new bids for "the manufacture and assembly of the pump module, hose-body and accessory components with the agreed upon changes developed from the prototype unit."
STATter 911 is attempting to contact Elite Fire Apparatus, Inc.
Below is the memo from Chief Tom Carr
TO: All MCFRS PersonnelFROM: Fire Chief Tom Carr
SUBJECT: Elite Fire Apparatus
This week Montgomery County formally accepted the Elite prototype pumper. The delivered unit was found to be a well-constructed, high quality vehicle that was manufactured to MCFRS specifications. However, due to unresolved business issues within Elite Fire Apparatus, Inc., I have requested the termination of the MCFRS pumper contract. Responding to my request, the County has terminated the contract for the manufacture of the remaining 36 fire department pumpers. The decision to terminate the contract was made only after careful consideration of all potential options. Although difficult, this decision was necessary to ensure all of you will have pumpers in a timely manner that meets the performance goals I have established for the organization. These goals include a cab/chassis with latest generation safety features, state of the art full-featured pump with compressed air foam system (CAFS) and a hose body configuration that allows all companies to operate from a single platform, including supply and attack line configurations.
To this end, the County will continue the contract for the very successful manufacture and delivery of the remaining 36 Spartan Gladiator cab and chassis. Simultaneously, the County will issue a new solicitation for the manufacture and assembly of the pump module, hose-body and accessory components with the agreed upon changes developed from the prototype unit. Obviously, given the fragile condition of the current fleet of pumpers, proceeding in this manner provides the most expeditious opportunity for timely delivery and to continue to introduce CAFS to the MCFRS while preserving the severe duty cab and chassis.
At this time, it is important to focus our efforts on the achievements we continue to enjoy in the Apparatus Section including the nine aerials and two hazardous materials units that are ahead of schedule. As I write this correspondence, we are working diligently to place in service the remaining six of seventeen EMS units that are uniformly equipped with the best gear available to meet our severe duty mission. Additionally, we are proceeding with the overhaul of the two aerial ladders assigned to T-12 and T-25. We anticipate having both units back in service within ninety days.
I assure you that the MCFRS personnel involved in this project remain focused with success in mind. Thanks to A/C Steve Lohr, Mr. Richard Riffe, B/C Mike Hamilton, Chief George Brown, MFF Donnie Simmons, and Mr. Craig Ferguson for their continued focus on this complex and critical project. I am confident that your cooperation and professionalism will help us reach all of our goals as soon as possible. "
: October 30, 2007 11:37 AM : October 31, 2007 1:07 PM close to being hired. Montgomery county for the most part hires
out of state people. Thats a real
shame because there are plenty
of qualified candidates who already
are there with strong ties to the community. But somewhere along the line the recruiting offce has chosen to give most employment
offers to out of towners. Its really frustrating when a person scores high on the written exam,
does well in the interview and works out all summer at the fire academy ( in 100 degree heat 3 times a week) to pass the cpat test. I also had many ties and relationships in the community and
no criminal record, perfect driving record and tons of good references as well as living in one of the most ethnically diverse
niegborhoods in the county. Montgomery county claims they stand
for diversity ( thats a good one).
Then there are the gang of fire fighters who have milked the over time system for $ 200,000.00 each
I belive I read in the gazette that
they were going to be investigated
for fraud and abuse. Heck, that
overtime money could fund a whole
recruit class of 30 people. The
recruite office people are unprofessional and biased. Chief
Thomas Carr should be terminated.
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