Crimson Fire Introduces Redesigned First Response All Calls(TM) Vehicle

BRANDON, S.D., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crimson Fire, Inc. will unveil today a production-ready version of its new First Response All Calls™ vehicle, a unique, multi-purpose vehicle that gives departments broad fire-fighting, emergency-response and command capabilities.

Crimson Fire, which is a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), will display the FRAC at Booth 2433 during the Fire Department Instructors Conference, the fire-rescue industry's largest trade show.  The FRAC on display will feature fire suppression and command modules, two of many uses that will allow emergency-response departments to customize the FRAC specifically to their needs.

The new FRAC will also feature Crimson Fire's new pumper with integrated pump, which eliminates the pump house by moving the pump and manifold system just forward of the rear wheels while improving maneuverability and increasing storage space.  It will be on display throughout FDIC, which runs through April 24 in Indianapolis, Ind.  

"Fire and rescue departments are increasingly being asked to respond to more – and more varied – kinds of calls," said Kevin Crump, president of Crimson Fire.  "When budgets get compressed, people must utilize equipment that has greater flexibility and increased operational scope.  As its name denotes, the First Response All Calls vehicle is exactly that: an affordable vehicle with flexible design that will allow emergency-rescue personnel to handle whatever comes their way."

Crimson Fire first introduced a concept version of the FRAC at FDIC in 2008.  Since then, the vehicle has gone through extensive industry testing and feedback, allowing the Company to refine and improve the design.  Departments can choose from command center, fire suppression, personnel transport and rescue modules.

Built on a Spartan Furion chassis, the FRAC is highly customizable. Departments can select from more than a dozen configurations to create a vehicle flexible enough to meet the duty requirements of their communities.

The FRAC on display features:

• Crimson Fire's new pumper with integrated pump configuration, a 1,250 GPM PTO integrated pump that will free up more than 130 cubic feet of much-needed compartment space and improve handling and performance with a shorter wheelbase
• 125 CFM compressed air foam system, or CAFS
• Water tank with 250 gallon capacity
• Aluminum construction with multiplex electrical system
• NFPA 1901 initial attack apparatus compliant

Depending on the configuration, the FRAC can perform more than a dozen functions, including:

• Pumper
• Rescue
• Ambulance or patient transport
• Command and control
• HazMat
• Lighting
• Equipment support
• Aerial waterflow
• Mountain or river rescue
• ATV transport
• Rehab

The new FRAC will be built on a Spartan Furion® chassis with a 168.5 inch wheelbase and a CAT C7 330 hp diesel engine.  The FRAC will feature a command module in the rear.

"The lines between fire, rescue and ambulance departments have been blurred for a long time," Crump said.  "The FRAC delivers a broad spectrum of capabilities in a single, affordable vehicle.  Forced to make tough budget decisions, departments can choose the versatile FRAC to have one vehicle that meets their many demands."

About Crimson Fire

Crimson Fire is a leading manufacturer of custom fire trucks and other rescue vehicles.  A subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), Crimson Fire is committed to quality, value and innovation.  Drawing on more than 130 years of excellence in fire truck manufacturing, Crimson Fire manufactures a full line of pumpers, rescues, aerials, quick-attack vehicles and other emergency-rescue vehicles from its facilities in Pennsylvania and South Dakota.  For more information, visit www.crimson-fire.com.

About Spartan Motors

Spartan Motors, Inc. (www.spartanmotors.com) designs, engineers and manufactures specialty chassis, specialty vehicles and truck bodies and aftermarket parts for the outdoor recreation/RV, emergency-response, defense, government services, delivery and service markets.  The company's brand names - Spartan™, Crimson Fire™, Crimson Fire Aerials™, Road Rescue™ and Utilimaster® - are known for quality, value, service and being the first to market with innovative products. The company employs approximately 1,600 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Indiana and Texas.  Spartan reported sales of $430 million in 2009 and is focused on becoming a global leader in the manufacture of specialty vehicles and chassis.

SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.