WHAT WE DO
Dependable Emergency Vehicles specializes in manufacturing custom fire apparatus, serving departments all over North America. We began our journey in 1975 and have since built a reputation with our customers that proves our emergency vehicles truly are designed to perform, and built to last. Being family owned and operated, we understand the importance of having strong relationships - our commitment to you is to be the manufacturer you can count on long after the purchase of your apparatus.
We design pumpers, rescues, walk-in / walk-around rescues, tankers, HAZMAT units, and more; whatever your fleet needs, we are prepared to provide. We also are known for upfitting, repairing, servicing, and refurbishing emergency vehicles.
Our innovative design and engineering concepts allow us to build trucks which meet your custom specifications. All units are handcrafted to ensure precision, durability, and longevity. Dependable’s goal and commitment to our customers is geared around quality and performance, so that you may make the most out of your vehicle.
chassis
We build fire apparatus on commercial or custom chassis. The chassis is the baseline component of the apparatus. Dependable Emergency Vehicle works closely with our chassis providers and advises them of the intended design. This ensures that special options concerning the performance of the frame can be finalized at the factory.
The proper selection of engine, transmission, and suspension must be chosen to meet the apparatus’ requirements and to ensure the apparatus is designed to perform and built to last. Once the chassis is complete, it is shipped to our facility, where we do a quality control inspection before securely mounting the rest of the apparatus.
body
The construction of the body is a secondary process from the chassis. Our in-house engineering team creates 3D models of the body and pumphouse using the most reliable and up-to-date engineering design software available.
During this stage, we are able to design the water tank, create custom storage areas and implement exclusive customization as required. Once the drawing is finalized to our customer’s expectation, the manufacturing of the body begins. We use plasma technology to cut aluminum or stainless steel sheets to prepare for assembly.
When the material is ready, our custom-fabricated pieces are assembled. Our highly-skilled body manufacturers execute this entire process on the production floor.
Paint
Before painting the body, a quality control team inspects for dents, abrasives, or other deformations that could create a finishing issue when painting. Once complete, the body moves to our on-site state-of-the-art paint facility, where it is properly prepped and painted.
mid-build point
After being painted, the body is moved to the mid-build area in the plant, where all the components are integrated together. The components include CMVSS lighting, backup cameras, compartment doors, ladder racks, scene lights, spare wiring, porta tank racks, emergency lighting, etc.
pump
The fire pump make, model, capacity, and layout of inlets and outlets are strategically placed on each apparatus to perform specifically for the practices of the department. Most fire pumps today are single-stage pumps that are designed and purchased by Dependable Emergency Vehicle from trusted vendors. We work together to ensure they are properly aligned with the transmission and plumbing throughout the apparatus.
water tank
Each water tank we design is truly custom-built. With great flexibility in tank design, our team works to meet the needs of the department and the area they serve. Our water tanks are made of a polypropylene material designed to hold the department’s specified amount of water. Water tanks contain perforated “baffles” to reduce the sloshing of the water while driving, ultimately ensuring the safety of firefighters.
chassis/body mounting
The chassis, pump, and body are prepped for final setup and mounting. Our team assembles them with careful execution to ensure a perfect fit between the three major components.
As soon as the apparatus moves under its own power, it’s driven to the final detail and quality control point. Here, we start having the apparatus undergo a ULC inspection. The inspector examines, operates, and evaluates the apparatus, ensuring it meets and exceeds industry standards. The pump operates at maximum capacity for two hours to ensure that it is performing as promised.
Once certified, the apparatus undergoes a pre-delivery inspection by our team before it’s placed in our inspection bay to await customer approval.
