In a climate of uncertainty and change, our loyal sellers have been incredible to work with as usual. We take seriously your call for accurate pricing information and our responsibility to sell all units for fair market value. In 2008 this has been unusually challenging and we recognize that we've been the bearers of bad news to some of you regarding values. It's no secret that some of the canopy cabs which had been hot-sellers in years past have become dusty on the shelves. Aerials, which had been in high demand in recent years have not generated much interest. However, we've sold a lot of used rescues. Tanker-pumpers always have waiting buyers. If you're thinking of trading in, call us first. It's important to try selling directly in order to get fair market value for your community.

NFPA is once again making suggestions [ guidelines, not laws ] which seem to add frustration and fear to buyers and sellers alike. While safety is of utmost importance, we struggle with the reality that tens of thousands of departments will never have the ability to purchase new apparatus. If one were to tap the Firetec phone lines, this is what would be heard, "I'm from a small, rural, volunteer fire department and we don't have much money...." The meager budgets with which the small departments are forced to operate are obscene. Budgets for used apparatus range from approximately $10,000 to $300,000. But the average is about $35,000. Precious few of the 4,064 departments with whom we've spoken in 2008 will ever have the dollars required for new apparatus. There is a lot of need; your good used fire truck can have a valuable second life in another department.

Downtown Randolph Vermont