Planning Preventive Maintenance for Your Fire Apparatus

A preventive maintenance plan is needed for any public safety professional that operates a fire apparatus. Having and executing a plan can ensure successful emergency responses and better job performance. This is because proper maintenance and inspection work done on your fire apparatus will improve its functionality and efficiency. But what does a preventive maintenance plan look like? Here’s what encompasses an effective preventive maintenance plan. 

Manufacturer Inspections

Regular inspections of your emergency response vehicle are necessary for the long-term health of your fire apparatus. Request to have them done by your vehicle’s manufacturer, who will know what to look for and what to do when something isn’t right. During this process, safety equipment like the emergency lighting, brakes, and steering systems should also be checked to see if they are operating at the proper level. This equipment must be functioning correctly so that you’re able to perform your responsibilities and duties efficiently. 

Regularly Inspect Your Vehicle

Daily driver inspections of your emergency response vehicle are required as well. Your inspections will need to be done with the utmost accuracy and you’ll need to keep a record of each inspection. These inspections are usually completed at the start of a shift. You’ll be examining and testing out things like your brakes, radiator, box lights, and much more. Like the manufacturer inspections, these daily driver reviews are done to ensure that your fire apparatus is ready for anything that arises.

Choosing Engine Oil and Filter

Part of maintaining your fire apparatus also involves keeping up with the newest emission requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Being aware of this information will allow you to choose the right oil for your emergency response vehicle. This is important because selecting an oil that isn’t compatible with your vehicle can damage its engine. Along with your engine oil, you should also ensure that you choose the correct filter for your fire apparatus that meets all of the specifications and standards.

Test Out Brakes

Every time your emergency response vehicle’s brakes are worked on, they’ll need to be tested to see if they are still functioning optimally. Testing can be done with a portable electronic brake tester. For your brakes to pass these tests, they should be able to meet all stopping distance requirements. This part of your preventive maintenance plan is extremely pivotal because of the importance of your brakes. Brakes that aren’t operating correctly puts you and those around you in danger. 

For 30 years, Troy Products has been an industry leader in public safety vehicle accessories across the nation. We craft custom fire apparatus accessories that have been made to perfectly fit your specific vehicle. Our quality comes from our 30 years of experience which allows us to create products that are safe, effective, and comfortable for your firemen. We are also able to accommodate custom orders to meet your department’s unique operational needs. To find out more about Troy Products or to get started with an order, give us a call at (800) 800-8769 or fill out our online contact form today.