LATEST NEWS
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Aug
3Giving back at TEEX
This past weekend, Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists headed to TEEX in College Station. With a 40’x10’ booth in the concourse, 40’x50’ booth on the arena floor, and an 80’x100’ booth outside, Metro Fire was ready to serve the fire service of Texas. Here at Metro Fire, we understand that fire fighters give a lot to serve and protect the citizens of their cities. Because you give so much, this year it’s been a goal of ours to give back. Not only have we already given over $125,000 back to the fire service, but we decided at TEEX to give back…
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Jun
8Five Alarm Leadership Registration
Click here to register and to get more information. Instructions: Once document is downloaded, please fill out the third page and email it back to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) //= 0; i=i-1){ if (l[i].substring(0, 1) == ' ') output += "&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";"; else output += unescape(l[i]); } document.getElementById('eeEncEmail_AMgyNNTI58').innerHTML = output; //]]> or fax it to ATTN: Kelton Hogan at 713.692.1591. If you have any questions, you may also email Kelton or call 713.692.0911 Five Alarm Leadership ConferenceDate: August 11, 2011Time: 8am - 5pm Location: Red Oak High School 122 State Hwy 342 Red Oak, TX…
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May
26Bullard TIC goes to Eagle Mountain
Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists, Inc., announces the award of a Bullard Thermal Imaging Camera (T3MAX) to the Eagle Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. Metro Fire sponsored a Texas Fire Department Grant Program with an equipment value of $125,000. Eagle Mountain was one of seven Fire Department recipients of the Grant Awards program selected from among the approximately 2000 Fire Departments in Texas. The T3MAX, with one of the most advanced infrared detectors and electronics systems available, provides crystal-clear image clarity, temperature measurement through Bullard’s Relative Heat IndicatorTM(RHI) and our Red HotTM feature that quickly alerts the user to areas of intense…
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May
25Woodville Goes Extreme with Tecgen
Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists, Inc., announces the grant award of ten (10) sets of Tecgen Extreme Wildland Firefighting suits to the Woodville Volunteer Fire Department, Woodville, Texas. The product grant award is valued at $5,000.00 and the Tecgen suits meet the National Fire Protection Association protective clothing standards for both Wildland Firefighting and Rescue protection for the firefighter. The Tecgen suits are lighter and more comfortable than the suits the firefighter normally wears for structure fires, therefore, reducing stress on the body while still providing a high level of protection from radiant heat. Metro Fire sponsored a Texas Fire Department…
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May
25TFT equipment awarded to Vernon FD
Metro Fire and Task Force Tips are pleased to announce the delivery of more than $22,000 worth of TFT products to Vernon Fire Department. Metro Fire sponsored a Texas Fire Department Grant Program with an equipment value of $125,000. The Vernon Fire Department was one of seven fire department recipients of the Grant Awards program selected from among the approximately 2000 fire departments in Texas. Chief Kent Smead thanked Metro Fire for the equipment, adding “This TFT equipment has enabled our Department to improve our fire suppression capabilities by allowing us to flow large amounts of water earlier in the…
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May
24Grant Softens Stress to Tolar VFD
Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists, Inc., announces the grant award of ten (10) sets of Sperian UltraMotion turn-out gear suits to the Tolar Volunteer Fire Department, Tolar, Texas. The product grant award is valued at $28,000.00 and the Sperian suits meet the National Fire Protection Association protective clothing standards required for Texas firefighters. The Sperian UltraMotion suits are specifically designed to provide the firefighter with mobility in a stressful and high heat harmful environment, while providing high levels of firefighting protection over the typical turn-out gear. “This gear could not have come at a better time for us,” says Matt Hustell,…
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Apr
19New Southeast Texas Territory Manager
I am pleased to announce Thomas Fowler has joined the Metro Fire family as the Territory Manager for Southeast Texas. Thomas resides in Spurger with his wife, Rachel, and son, Wyatt, who just turned one year old. Thomas has commenced his orientation and will be spending this week at Crimson’s new Classic Fire facility in Florida with several of his Metro Fire team members and the following week at the Task Force Tips factory. Thomas joins Metro Fire after working the last six years for Red River Specialties in Jasper, Texas as the supervisor for their aerial spraying operations. Thomas…
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Apr
19Metro Fire adds Parts Clerk position
Effective yesterday, Monday April 18th, 2011, Steven Boulet joined the Metro Fire family of employees. Steven has 5 years of service with the City of Houston as a Senior Parts Clerk and Inventory Control Manager. Before his employment with the City of Houston, Steve worked in the automobile parts industry. Gaining experience as a parts counter clerk with multiple car dealerships in the South East Houston area he’ll bring a new insight to our parts sales. Steve is already set up at our South Houston 02 facility and will be responsible for the following duties: • Maintain parts inventory by…
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Mar
21Buchanan VFD puts grant award to use
Buchanan VFD was recently awarded the Super Vac Knight Light emergency scene lighting system via the Metro Fire Grant program. Buchanan VFD joins the Crims Chapel VFD (also a Metro Fire grant award recipient) in using their grant award product shortly after placing it in service, as the department responded to a night time incident involving a large tree that had fallen across a major highway, resulting in a vehicle crashing into the downed tree. Assistant Chief David Lackey, stated the “Knight Light lit up the scene as if it were high noon and allowed the fire fighters to expedite…
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Mar
17Metro Fire, Dealer of the Year
On March 15, Metro Fire was awarded Dealer of the Year for Crimson Fire for the third consecutive year in a row. Metro Fire has been a Crimson dealer for over 12 years and was recognized with the “10 year Longevity Award” and was also awarded the “Most Legends sold for 2010.” Metro Fire Additionally, on February 23rd at the annual Spartan Chassis dealer meeting, Metro Fire was presented Dealer of the Year for Spartan Chassis for 2010. These are very rewarding to the company, however, our success could not be reached without our customers and the dedication and commitment…
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Mar
17Crims Chapel puts Grant Award to use
Weeks after receiving a set of Holmatro rescue tools via the Metro Fire Grant Program, Crims Chapel was able to put them to use. On Monday, March 7, a wreck between a car and a pickup truck took place. The pickup hit the drivers side of small car with heavy intrusion into front seat area. Extrication took about 30 minutes due to drivers leg being pinned between door intrusion and steering wheel. The patient was flown by medial helicopter to Tyler from scene and is expected to recover fully. This is their first complete hydraulic rescue tool system. Until now,…
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Feb
23Aerial View: Feb 2011
Here’s an “Aerial View” of the insides and outsides of our company. Click on the newsletter below to go full screen. We hope you enjoy!
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Feb
22Rodney Pearson, Interim Chief of Police
FROM: Craig N. Russell, President & CEOUpdated: 3/18/2011 Effective today, Rodney Pearson, former Territory Manager in the Golden Triangle, has changed his career path back into the law enforcement field. Rodney is extremely passionate about law enforcement. With my full support, Rodney has accepted the Interim Chief of Police job in Jasper, Texas. As most of us know, Rodney had no previous sales experience when he accepted the position of Territory Manager with Metro Fire. He worked diligently to learn the products that we offer and attended several training events during his brief stay. We had full confidence that Rodney…
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Feb
22Jonathan Mercer joins the family
FROM: Craig N. Russell, President & CEO Effective today, February 22, 2011, Jonathan Mercer is joining the Metro Fire family of employees. Jonathan has 18 years firefighting experience and has spent his last 15 years with the Mansfield Fire Department. Currently, he is a lieutenant in the department at Station 1 and works the B shift. Jonathan certifications include: • Advanced Firefighting• Paramedic• Swift Water Technician• Fire Officer 1 and Fire Officer 2, and• Member of Mansfield Fire Department TRT (Technical Rescue Team). Jonathan is already hitting the ground running. He is currently in Maryland at Holmatro where he is…
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Feb
22Scott Gibbs, now full-time TM
FROM: Craig N. Russell, President & CEO Effective today, February 22, 2011, Scott Gibbs has become a full time Territory Manager for Metro Fire. Scott has been a part time employee of Metro Fire since July of 2006. He has worked in the position of Territory Manager where he has gained the knowledge of our company operations, worked with customers within a provided territory and has expanded his knowledge of the products that we sell. We are very excited to have Scott as a full time employee, as I know he will become even more effective and more available for…
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Feb
16Crosbyton receives first Thermal Imager
Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists and E. D. Bullard Company are proud to announce the delivery for a T3MAX thermal imager for Crosbyton Volunteer Fire Department. This imager was awarded through the Metro Fire grant program. It also marks the first thermal imager placed in the Crosbyton community. Matt Harris, Metro Fire west Texas territory manager, and Steve Barnett, Regional Sales Manager for Bullard, were on site to present the device to the personnel and provide a training course. The delivery occurred on Monday February 15, 2011 at their weekly meeting. Crosbyton Fire Department was established in 1917. They currently have…
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Feb
15AFG Funding Update
FY 2011 Current Year Funding Over the weekend the House Appropriations Committee released its Continuing Resolution (CR) appropriations bill for the current fiscal year, FY 2011. The Committee is seeking to make cuts in addition to those announced earlier last week. The Committee’s appropriations bill would fund the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) equipment program at $300 million, a cut of $90 million from the FY 2010 level of $390 million. The SAFER hiring program would receive no funding for FY 2011 under the House bill, compared to its $420 million level in FY 2010. The House plans to take…
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Feb
7Technical Bulletin - MUST READ!
This bulletin is to make fire departments aware of damage that can occur due to chemicals used to de-ice roads. State maintenance crews use several different chemicals as liquid anti-ice or snow and ice clearing chemicals. See list below. These chemicals are often sprayed on roadways prior to arrival of storms thereby having longer exposure and not immediately being diluted by snow or water. • Chemical Name Abbreviation• Calcium Chloride CaCl2• Sodium Chloride (road salt) NaCl• Magnesium Chloride MgCl2• Calcium Magnesium Acetate CaMg2{CH3COO}2• Potassium Acetate KC2H3O2 Of these, calcium chloride is probably the most destructive because it attracts moisture more readily. Calcium chloride absorbs…
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Jan
12In-Service Training with San Angelo
Territory Mangers Allen Walters and Matt Harris spent January 4, 5, and 6 in San Angelo providing in service training. San Angelo has purchased Holmatro and Paratech rescue equipment in the past two years. 24 vehicles were given to the San Angelo Fire Department to demonstrate latest techniques in extrication and vehicle stabilization.
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Dec
29Winter Service Tips
The weather has turned much colder in many parts of Texas, and that means there are some things that must considered to ensure that your fire apparatus is in working order for the season. Here are a few tips to review: Check the condition of your batteries: The cold weather takes a toll on batteries so to ensure proper starting, make sure your batteries are in good connection and the battery cables are clean and tight. Ensure the heater valve for the inside cab air is turned on: When heat is needed inside the cab to warm up firefighters, make…
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Dec
28Grant Winners Announced!
The recipients of the grant program are as follows: Buchanan - SVI Light Tower Crosbyton - Bullard Thermal Image Camera Package Eagle Mountain - Bullard Thermal Image Camera Package Tolar - Sperian Bunker Gear Crims Chapel - Holmatro Rescue Tool Set Vernon - Task Force Tips Package Woodville - Tecgen Wildland/Rescue Suits To see a complete breakdown of the prizes, please click here. Thanks to all departments who registered for Metro Fire’s Grant Program!
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Dec
16Promotion Comes to an End
The Metro Fire Grant and Sweepstakes promotion program for Texas Fire Departments and its Firefighters has ended. Next, an independent company will conduct a random drawing, no later than December 16, 2010, to determine the seven prospective Fire Department Grant recipients and the Firefighter Sweepstakes winners. Those selected in the random drawing will be confirmed to comply with the Promotion Rules eligibility requirements. Those selected will be notified within fourteen (14) days per the rules of the Promotions. The prospective Grant recipient will be interviewed by telephone to establish a priority of Fire Department equipment requirements and needs based on…
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Nov
12New Rescue Trailer Released
A new rescue trailer has hit the roads of Texas this week. Metro Fire has designed and outfitted a custom rescue tool trailer that will be used as both a sales and educational tool around the state. In efforts to continually improve the customers’ experience when showing rescue equipment, this trailer was customized with the Metro Fire touch to better organize the demonstration process. “When we go do a demo, it’s very helpful that the whole process is self-contained now,” stated Allen Walters, Territory Manager. He also stressed the quality of the customization. “The interior of our new rescue trailer…
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Nov
2New Service Director at Mansfield
By now most of you have heard that we have relocated our Arlington, Texas operations into the City of Mansfield, Texas. In addition to that move, Metro Fire has hired a manager of our new 11,000 sq. ft. facility. Effective yesterday, November 1, 2010, Kelly Hogan joined the Metro Fire family as the Service Director of our Mansfield location (03), a newly created position. Recently retired from the City of Fort Worth Equipment Services Department after 34 years, Kelly brings a wealth of experience to his position, including: 11 years as a light and heavy duty line mechanic 8 years…
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Nov
2Moving to Mansfield
MOVING NOTICE OF OUR “ARLINGTON” LOCATIONPlease update your address book Effective Immediately, Metro Fire has relocated our Arlington, Texas operation into the city of Mansfield, Texas. Please make necessary action to delete our previous address from all files: 1121 Sturgeon Ct., Suite 115, Arlington, TX 76001 New Mansfield Address:Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists, Inc1501 Heritage Parkway, Suite 103Mansfield, TX 76063 Phone and Fax numbers will remain the same:817.467.0911 (phone)817.375.1775 (fax)
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Oct
1Metro Fire Gives Back
You will be receiving an envelope from Metro Fire’s owner and founder, Craig N. Russell, this coming week. Inside of this envelope is a very exciting announcement for the Texas Fire Service. This package will include a company profile / line sheet, a grant and sweepstakes flier, and cover letter. Metro Fire, a Texas based corporation, hired our first employees in 1990 and incorporated in 1999 at which time it had two full-time and two part-time employees. The part-time employees were also full-time career firefighters that spent their days off working on fire trucks. Twenty plus years later, the same…
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Oct
1Territory Manager Survives Cancer
Jimmy Girvan was first hired on to the Metro Fire team back in July 2001. Having known Craig Russell through his business interactions with Round Rock, Jimmy was given a sales position in the undeveloped central Texas territory. For nine years, he worked to build up the customer base in this area and establish the Metro Fire name in the Austin area. In January 2009, Jimmy was diagnosed with Stage 4 testicular cancer. He endured four different surgeries within a span of a year and completed nine months of chemotherapy at M.D. Anderson. Despite these treatments, Jimmy also had to…
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Oct
1New Website Launch
Effective today, October 1, Metro Fire has launched our new customer-focused website, with a new look and a new hosting company. The new site is designed to bring you the interactive tools and resources necessary to supplement your apparatus and equipment needs. The website was created within Metro Fire’s own in-house marketing department by two very talented individuals. The inner-workings and coding of the site are managed by Venveo, the company hosting the new site. The website does not only have a new look, it also has many features to give our customers plenty of information. Highlight points of our…
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