KME Adds Navistar MaxxForce Engines to 2010 Custom Fire Apparatus Line

Under a new supply agreement, KME Fire Apparatus now offers Navistar’s MaxxForce^® brand Advanced EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) diesel engines in its full line of custom aerials, pumpers, tankers and rescue trucks. This month, Holtsville (NY) Fire Department in Long Island, New York., became the first KME customer to order a new eight-person custom rescue apparatus powered by an EPA 2010 MaxxForce^® 13 engine.

According to KME, the new 2010 MaxxForce^® engines offer fire departments a combination of performance characteristics and emissions technology unmatched by competing diesels. “The MaxxForce 13 provides extremely high torque at low rpm, which is a must for this industry,” said Jim Duncan, president, Chief Fire and Rescue Apparatus, Holtsville FD’s KME dealer in Port Washington, N.Y.  “And its emissions system is simple to operate and maintain, which allows firehouses to focus on their priorities.”

The MaxxForce 13, like all 2010-compliant MaxxForce brand engines, uses Navistar’s MaxxForce Advanced EGR emissions technology, which provides KME customers with significant “no hassle” operational advantages over systems used by other engine suppliers. These include no additional wheelbase length to accommodate additional tanks, no secondary operating fluid to add (urea), no additional driver training, and ease of maintenance.

 

“We’ve built our business on providing unrivaled flexibility in fire apparatus design and MaxxForce engines offer fire departments another world-class choice,” said John J. Kovatch III, president, KME Fire Apparatus. “Significantly, these MaxxForce engines also enable our customers to standardize their vehicle and equipment fleets with the torque requirements customers need in a simple package.”

“KME’s customers, as first responders to emergencies, demand reliable power, performance and durability, and MaxxForce engines deliver,” says Andy Dondlinger, vice president and general manager, North American Business Operations, Navistar Engine Group.

KME and the Holtsville Fire Department became interested in the 2010 MaxxForce engines late last year at a fire industry trade show, where Navistar hosted product demonstrations. “We were impressed by the advantages the MaxxForce engine provides, which keeps our maintenance simple,” said Joseph Evola, 1^st Assistant Chief, Holtsville Fire Department.

MaxxForce 13 engines for custom fire apparatus provide 475 horsepower and 1700 lb.-ft. torque for demanding fire and rescue operations. Holtsville’s new custom rescue, built on a 100-inch-wide KME chassis with 22-inch raised-roof cab, is the latest addition to the department’s 14-vehicle fleet.

The Holtsville Fire Department protects more than 10,000 people living in an area of 3.5 square miles on New York’s Long Island. The public, 75-volunteer department provides fire and ambulance services to the primarily residential community. Several volunteers are specially trained in confined space rescue, rope rescue, high angle rescue and hazardous materials handling.

“MaxxForce engines fit perfectly with KME’s reputation of offering the best value in overall cost of ownership,” said Eric Tech, president, Navistar Engine Group. “We’re proud to add another industry-leading OEM to our list of partners around the world.”