Crimson Fire Debuts New SE Series Rear Mount Pumper

BRANDON, S.D., Aug. 11, 2005 -- Leading fire and rescue vehicle maker Crimson Fire, Inc. will debut its new SE Series Rear Mount Pumper in conjunction with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Fire-Rescue International (FRI) show, Aug. 11-13 in Denver.

Crimson said the new pumper features a unique air-ride independent front suspension (IFS), which improves ride, handling, braking and turning radius. In addition, the truck's rear-pump body configuration offers additional compartmentation, a transverse area for improved equipment storage and front speedlays (hose storage system) located behind the cab for convenient access and deployment. The truck's dramatic storage capacity totals 383 cubic feet, including 148 cubic feet of storage in the front transverse compartment, enough to bring along additional lighting equipment, rescue tools and generators for high-tech extrication and rescue equipment.

Additionally, the vehicle's operator panel for the rear-mount pump improves use and safety, with the hose connections away from the operator, creating a safer and quieter operator position. The pumper, along with future vehicles in Crimson's SE series, is designed and priced specifically for regional-market fire departments. Crimson Fire is a subsidiary of Charlotte, Mich.-based Spartan Motors, Inc. .

"As with other vehicles in our SE series, our new SE Rear Mount Pumper is a functional, exciting design based on our proven, popular line of vehicles," said Jim Salmi, president of Crimson Fire. "The vehicle allows regional- market fire departments to deploy a pumper to most locations in a safe and efficient manner, while accommodating large-capacity storage thanks to the rear-pump design. Likewise, the IFS system is a dramatic improvement in the truck's maneuverability and ride, improving cycle times and safety."

The Rear Mount Pumper's IFS system has a 55 degree wheel cut, the highest turning radius on an IFS-equipped vehicle available in the industry today. The 17-inch air disc brakes that come standard with the Full Air Front Suspension System stops the vehicle with extreme accuracy. When a fully loaded rescue vehicle is traveling at 60 miles per hour, the 17-inch air disc brakes stop the vehicle 88 feet sooner than the same vehicle traveling the same speed, only equipped with 16.5-inch drum brakes.

Crimson's SE Series, introduced in April 2005, has most of the popular features offered by Crimson Fire's Star Series(TM) higher-end line, including space-frame body construction on rectangular tubing (in stainless steel or aluminum materials), and the agile Vibra-Torq(TM) mounting system. The SE series is fully customizable in truck configurations with a wide range of optional features.

About Crimson Fire

Crimson Fire, a Spartan Motors company, is a leading manufacturer of custom fire trucks and other rescue vehicles, representing quality, value and innovation. Crimson Fire was established in 2003, when Spartan Motors, Inc. merged its two fire apparatus subsidiaries, Quality Manufacturing and Luverne Fire Apparatus. The Company now draws on more than 130 years of excellence in fire truck manufacturing. Crimson Fire manufactures pumpers, rescues, aerials, quick-attack vehicles and other fire and rescue trucks from facilities in Alabama, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. For more information on Crimson Fire, visit http://www.crimson-fire.com/.