Montgomery County,MD And Elite Fire Apparatus

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Montogmery County, MD FD is a progressive county-run FD in the suburbs of Washington DC. The community is growing, and so are the responses.

Montgomery County spec'd a really progressive engine, and awarded the contract to Elite, a company I'd never heard of until then. Apparently, they have cancelled their contract due to financial problems that Elite is experiencing. I wonder if this will affect Irvington's new engine, which is also an Elite and I believe the first Elite in the area?

I must say, I saw a photo of the unit in the Nov-Dec edition of FAJ, and it looks really good and functional!

Read the articles below:

Montgomery County MD

Release ID: 07-004

Contact: Pete Piringer 240.777.2474

For Immediate Release: Saturday, January 06, 2007

State-of-the-Art Equipment to Elevate Firefighter Safety

Elite Fire Apparatus, Inc. Awarded Thirty-Seven Unit Contract

Montgomery County Fire Chief Tom Carr is pleased to announce that the Montgomery County (Maryland) Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) has selected and awarded Elite Fire Apparatus, Inc. of Tilleda, Wisconsin a contract to provide several dozen new fire engines to the existing emergency apparatus fleet. “This is a tremendous step in assuring that our first responders are equipped to assure operational efficiency utilizing the latest in safety technology when called to handle a myriad of hazards,” says Chief Carr. “Under the direction of Assistant Chief Steve Lohr, the Apparatus Committee comprised of career and volunteer members, worked tirelessly focusing on the latest technology in order to support our life-safety mission.”

Thirty-seven (37) like-pumpers are being ordered to carry the all-hazard mission of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) into the future. The cost per unit will be about $435,000 each. These units are proposed with a Spartan Gladiator severe duty cab and chassis, aluminum body, HALE Q-Max pump with CAFSPRO, a 750 gallon booster tank, two-twenty-five gallon foam cells and a 5-KW diesel generator. In addition, these pieces of apparatus are to be manufactured using a low profile “L”-shaped water tank with a rear suction that maximizes hose capacity and accessibility for working around and on the rigs without unnecessary climbing.

Each unit will have six (6) pre-connects, dual large diameter hose (LDH) supply beds, a wagon pipe, and a pre-connected blitz-fire mechanism. Two (2) quick-throw ground ladders and two (2) hard sleeves will be accessible from the rear without climbing onto the unit. Further, it is being designed to maintain all of the features of the high volume Q-max pump while adding the compressed air foam system (CAFS) capability that local firefighters have helped to evaluate over the past several years.

These units will be equipped with the latest technologies available to assure the safety of the crew cab occupants while entering, exiting, and riding in the vehicles. Special emphasis is provided for securing all portable equipment including personal running gear, quick access EMS compartments, and crew cab storage (climate controlled) areas for drugs and narcotics. All compartments will be lockable for enhanced security. The latest generation L-E-D lighting packages will be resident along with the Federal Q2B and Power Call Sirens. To assure regional compatibility units will be lettered with the Metropolitan Washington Area Council of Government (COG) numbering system on five sides of the vehicle. The latest generation braking, auxiliary braking, suspension and power train components will be in place to assure rugged dependability and safety.

To maximize visibility and highway safety, a lime yellow and red, chevron barricade reflective trim graphics package will be included on the rear of each unit. In addition red and white, rub rail conspicuity tape will also be included for unparalleled visibility.

This announcement has been anticipated for several months and requisite contract requirements were met in early January 2007. A single prototype unit will be built in less than six months and delivered by the summer of 2007.

The first unit will have a MCFRS Training Academy graphics package and will serve not only as a ‘model’ pumper, but will function as the ‘hands-on’ training and systems evaluation rig while construction begins on the remaining 36 units. This particular engine will introduce the entire Montgomery County career and volunteer membership to the various operational systems and more specifically with the associated training components necessary to take full advantage of the CAFS.

Elite Fire Apparatus, Inc. intends to deliver approximately six (6) units every four (4) months so that in about 24 months from now every first-line MCFRS engine company will be operating with a full featured, precisely equipped modern pumper engine.

The Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is a full spectrum life safety agency protecting nearly 1 million people who live and work in Maryland’s most populous jurisdiction. Under the direction of the County Fire Chief, the MCFRS is a combination system (career/volunteer) in the suburban Washington, D.C. area, operating with an annual budget of about $195 million. The MCFRS annually handles about 100,000 emergency calls for service and is staffed by nearly 1200 career uniformed personnel and professional civilian staff and an equal number of volunteers, nearly half of whom are actively involved in emergency response.

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AND THEN this was issued a few days ago........

TO: All MCFRS Personnel

FROM: Fire Chief Tom Carr

SUBJECT: Elite Fire Apparatus

This week Montgomery County formally accepted the Elite prototype pumper. The delivered unit was found to be a well-constructed, high quality vehicle that was manufactured to MCFRS specifications. However, due to unresolved business issues within Elite Fire Apparatus, Inc., I have requested the termination of the MCFRS pumper contract. Responding to my request, the County has terminated the contract for the manufacture of the remaining 36 fire department pumpers. The decision to terminate the contract was made only after careful consideration of all potential options. Although difficult, this decision was necessary to ensure all of you will have pumpers in a timely manner that meets the performance goals I have established for the organization. These goals include a cab/chassis with latest generation safety features, state of the art full-featured pump with compressed air foam system (CAFS) and a hose body configuration that allows all companies to operate from a single platform including supply and attack line configurations.

To this end, the County will continue the contract for the very successful manufacture and delivery of the remaining 36 Spartan Gladiator cab and chassis. Simultaneously, the County will issue a new solicitation for the manufacture and assembly of the pump module, hose-body and accessory components with the agreed upon changes developed from the prototype unit. Obviously, given the fragile condition of the current fleet of pumpers, proceeding in this manner provides the most expeditious opportunity for timely delivery and to continue to introduce CAFS to the MCFRS while preserving the severe duty cab and chassis.

At this time, it is important to focus our efforts on the achievements we continue to enjoy in the Apparatus Section including the nine aerials and two hazardous materials units that are ahead of schedule. As I write this correspondence, we are working diligently to place in service the remaining six of seventeen EMS units that are uniformly equipped with the best gear available to meet our severe duty mission. Additionally, we are proceeding with the overhaul of the two aerial ladders assigned to T-12 and T-25. We anticipate having both units back in service within ninety days.

I assure you that the MCFRS personnel involved in this project remain focused with success in mind. Thanks to A/C Steve Lohr, Mr. Richard Riffe, B/C Mike Hamilton, Chief George Brown, MFF Donnie Simmons, and Mr. Craig Ferguson for their continued focus on this complex and critical project. I am confident that your cooperation and professionalism will help us reach all of our goals as soon as possible.

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Check this out !!

Receiver named for Elite Fire Apparatus

By Kent Tempus, Leader editor - The Shawano (Wisconsin) Leader - November 8, 2007

A receiver has been appointed for financially-troubled Elite Fire Apparatus of Tilleda, which apparently has all but shut down.

The appointment was made Friday by Shawano County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Grover at the request of Associated Bank, N.A., of Green Bay, which says it’s owed $5.55 million by Elite.

Grover’s order said it appears the plaintiff “has established that the defendants are insolvent or in imminent danger of insolvency.”

Also, a wage lien of $1.6 million was filed by the state Department of Workforce Development in Shawano County Circuit Court, to secure wages due employees or former employees of the company.

DWD received a business closing notification complaint on Oct. 11, said DWD spokesperson Jessica Erickson. Under state law, companies with 50 or more employees are required to provide 60 days notice if they closing or will have a mass layoff, she said.

DWD also received several complaints of unpaid wages, Erickson said. DWD investigated the complaints and filed the lien on Oct. 19.

It’s not clear whether the plant is open, and calls to Elite’s office and the home of company president David Moser were not returned on Wednesday.

“It’s my understanding, according to Mr. Moser, there’s still a skeleton crew carrying on some operations,” said Steven Cerasoli, an Appleton attorney representing Associated Bank.

According to Grover’s order, the request to place Elite in receivership was agreed to by Elite Fire and Moser Group. Inc., the defendants in the case. Moser Group is based at Moser’s home in Appleton.

In a receivership, the assets of a company are placed under the control of a receiver who administers the assets for the court, Cerasoli said. The receiver manages the assets as well as can be to preserve their value so they can ultimately be sold for the benefit of the debtor’s creditors, he explained.

At least five other companies have sued Elite, saying the company owes money for services rendered, according to court records. One, Consolidated Construction Co. of Appleton, was granted a judgment Friday of just over $201,000. Consolidated Construction filed suit in January, seeking payment of the unpaid balance of a contract to construct its 48,000 square foot facility at Tilleda.

Whether Elite will permanently close has yet to be decided, Cerasoli said.

“It’s everyone hope there’s some enterprise value there, and that someone will buy it as a going concern and continue its operations,” he said. “It’s premature to conclude if the whole thing will be shut down and terminated.”

Grover named Michael S. Polsky of Milwaukee as receiver. Polsky is to notify all known creditors, who will then have three months to file claims with the court.

In the meantime, the receiver will evaluate the business and “if there’s any realistic possibility of completing any work in progress and continuing business operations as a buyer is being sought,” Cerasoli said.

Elite Fire Apparatus was established in 2003, building a variety of fire and rescue equipment.

Tilleda company goes into receivership

The Associated Press - Appleton Post-Crescent - November 8, 2007

SHAWANO — A receiver has been appointed for a Tilleda maker of fire and rescue equipment at the request of a Green Bay bank that says it is owed almost $5.6 million.

Companies in receivership have their assets managed by a representative of the court.

Elite Fire Apparatus was placed in receivership after at least five companies sued, saying the 4-year-old company owed them money, according to court records.

Company president David Moser did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press on Thursday. Shawano County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Grover’s order said Elite Fire and Moser Group agreed to the request for a receiver.

Moser Group is based at Moser’s home in Appleton.

Associated Bank of Green Bay said it was owed $5.55 million when it requested the receivership.

Another company, Consolidated Construction Co. of Appleton, was granted a judgment of just over $201,000 on Friday. It filed suit in January seeking full payment for construction of Elite’s 48,000-square-foot facility at Tilleda.

In addition, the state Department of Workforce Development has filed a wage lien of $1.6 million to secure pay due Elite employees and former employees.

Meanwhile, it was not clear whether Elite was still operating or at what level.

State law requires companies with 50 or more employees to provide 60 days notice if they are closing or will have a mass layoff.

DWD received a complaint on Oct. 11 that Elite had failed to provide that notice, DWD spokesperson Jessica Erickson said. It also received complaints about unpaid wages. It investigated those and filed its lien on Oct. 19.

“It’s my understanding, according to Mr. Moser, there’s still a skeleton crew carrying on some operations,” Steven Cerasoli, an Appleton attorney representing Associated Bank, told the Shawano Leader.

Grover named Michael S. Polsky of Milwaukee as Elite’s receiver. Polsky is supposed to notify all the company’s creditors, who then have three months to file claims.