Firefighting is a specialist job that requires a lot of bravery, training, and skills. It also puts unique demands on the vehicle they are using. This prompts the question of whether it is better to have a stock vehicle for the job or go for a customized version.
There are plenty of considerations to take into account when trying to decide which option will serve a firefighter better.
Knowing that you have access to the international truck parts needed to keep a fire truck in top condition is just one of the points to consider when trying to evaluate the best option between a stock or modded truck.
Ready to use straight away
The most obvious advantage in favor of choosing a stock fire truck is that it will be delivered fully loaded with all of the equipment and essentials needed to allow the vehicle to be put into use straight away.
Certain features can probably be added at the point of purchase if needed. However, buying a stock truck for a firefighting team means that if the department is on a tight budget and has a strict deadline for delivery, there is a ready-made solution available.
Although many aspects of the work the truck will be required to do will have been taken into consideration when designing a stock firetruck there may be certain apparatus that a particular fire department needs or uses more than usual.
This presents limitations for a stock truck that is offering a standard solution. Although customization is potentially possible that would seemingly defeat the object because you were then looking at creating a truck that meets certain equipment and performance demands.
More flexibility with a custom solution
If it has been decided that more ladders, more cameras, or extended bumpers are needed, for instance, it makes sense to consider the custom option.
It is going to cost more to customize a fire truck compared to the price of a stock version. However, the money could be considered well spent when the truck that is delivered meets every need and contains all of the equipment, gadgets, and apparatus that have been decided is essential to allow each firefighter to perform safely and efficiently.
There are definite pros and cons attached to either purchasing option. It is often a question of working out everything that the truck needs to have and what sort of budget is available to make that happen.
If there is the opportunity to create a customized truck that meets the unique demands of the work that the fire team will be using the vehicle for it seems sensible to go with the customized option.
If budgetary restrictions are going to limit choices and equipment selection it may well work out better to choose a stock fire truck, in the circumstances.
Whether it is a custom or stock truck that is chosen, it is clear that both will have been designed and built to perform to the sort of level that would be demanded of it by every firefighter who uses the vehicle when performing their duties.
