Apparatus

This category includes an aerial apparatus, pumpers, tankers, utility, or special service vehicles, ambulances, rescue vehicles, and other large equipment used for fighting fires and hazardous materials emergencies.

The Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program (FEMSLP) requires a contract when purchasing an apparatus. If the fire company is utilizing two loans to purchase the apparatus and the other to purchase equipment for the apparatus, then two separate contracts are necessary, one for the apparatus and the other for the equipment. Equipment that is permanently mounted on the apparatus cannot be considered for an equipment loan.

National Apparatus Standards

The rules and regulations for the FEMSLP require that, in order to be eligible for funding, an apparatus project – new, used, or rehabilitated – must comply with the applicable current national standard for that type of apparatus.

An apparatus is more specifically categorized as follows:

Aerial Apparatus – A truck equipped with a metal elevating platform device consisting of two or more booms or sections with a passenger-carrying platform assembly, or a truck equipped with a permanently mounted, power-operated aerial ladder. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards, acceptance tests and service tests as set forth in NFPA Standard 1901-2016 or its successor.

Pumper – Any pumper with a permanently mounted fire pump with a rated discharge capacity of 750 gallons per minute or greater at 150 pounds per square inch net pumping pressure. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards, acceptance and service tests, as set forth in NFPA Standard No. 1901-2016 or its successor.

Tanker – A mobile water supply fire apparatus as specified in NFPA Standard No. 1901-2016 or its successor with a water capacity of 1,000 gallons or more. The minimum flow rate specified for tank to pump connection is 500 gallons per minute to fire pump or the capacity of a booster pump where provided. The truck shall include a pump and have a limited hose body capacity.

Utility or Special Service Vehicle – A vehicle carrying accessory equipment including ladders; oxygen equipment; communications equipment; generators and adapters; floodlights; smoke ejectors, and other equipment necessary to perform the ordinary functions of supporting firefighting, rescue, emergency medical and hazardous materials activities. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards and acceptance tests as set forth in the applicable NFPA Standard 1906-2016.

Ambulance – Any vehicle which is specifically designed, constructed or modified and equipped, and is used or intended to be used, and is maintained or operated, for the purpose of providing emergency medical care to, and transportation of, patients. The term includes advanced or basic life support vehicles that may or may not transport patients. An ambulance shall comply with current National standards and any standards developed under the authority of the Emergency Medical Services Act (35 P.S. §§6921-6938).

Rescue Vehicle -- A vehicle, whether a motor vehicle or a watercraft, intended to be used exclusively for rescue services, not primarily to transport patients or have affixed stationary fire suppression equipment. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards and acceptance tests as set forth in NFPA Standard No. 1901-2016 or its successor.

Heavy Duty Rescue Vehicle – A vehicle utilizing a chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 14,700 pounds or more which is used exclusively for rescue services. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards and acceptance tests as set forth in NFPA Standard No. 1901-2016 or its successor, if applicable.

Light Duty Rescue Vehicle – A vehicle utilizing a chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 14,700 pounds which is used exclusively for rescue services. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards and acceptance tests as set forth in NFPA Standard No. 1901-2016 or its successor, if applicable.

Watercraft Rescue Vehicle – A vehicle or device used on the water or ice and intended to be used exclusively for rescue purposes. The term includes boats, motorboats, iceboats, all terrain or amphibious vehicles capable of being operated on the water. The term does not include seaplanes.

Rehab of Apparatus – This is the repair or rehabilitation of apparatus equipment. Where it has been determined that existing apparatus equipment no longer meets the standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the repair and/or rehabilitation of such equipment will bring it in compliance with NFPA standards; loans for the repair or rehabilitation for a single apparatus equipment shall not be for more than $86,400 or 80% of the total cost of repair or rehabilitation whichever is less.

New Apparatus – Apparatus equipment that is titled using a manufacturer’s certificate of origin and all essential parts as defined in 75 Pa. C.S.A. §102 are new.

Used Apparatus – Apparatus equipment that has been previously titled in this Commonwealth or another state. Used apparatus equipment also includes a vehicle which consists of taking a new or used truck chassis of any kind and then fabricating or constructing used essential parts as defined by 75 Pa. C.S.A. §102 onto the chassis to create the apparatus equipment.