HME designers and engineers were the first to bring the tilt-cab design function to the fire apparatus industry. Tilt-cab designs made the use of cab-forward trucks, with their shorter overall lengths and improved maneuverability, more practical for fire apparatus application. The introduction of the tilt-cab design also provides easier and more efficient access to the engine compartments lowering maintenance time and costs.

• Improved maintenance – provides easier access to engine compartment.
• Increased maneuverability – created the opportunity to engineer and design compact and highly maneuverable fire apparatus.

Water in – MAX water out

The water delivery system is the heart and soul of a fire apparatus. Your ability to effectively fight fires depends on the quality and reliability of your pump and valve control system. HME engineers have created an exclusive pump module design that provides maximum water flow and optimal versatility.

• Stainless steel piping, valves, panels, and framework provide years of durable, trouble-free service and easy maintenance.
• Victaulic coupling connections provide easy and fast “drop-out” servicing of pump module components.
• Components and controls can be configured to offer optimal ergonomics and operator efficiency.
• Cage framework assemblies are manufactured from corrosion resistant, heavy wall stainless steel tubing. The framework is mounted to the chassis with a proprietary mounting design featuring an iso-mount elastomer cushion. The elasomer cushion prevents stress loading of the pump module from truck frame movement or twisting.
• Side panels are fabricated from stainless steel to provide maximum resistance to corrosion from water, foams, and chemicals. Panels may be brushed, mirror polished, or powder coated according to individual specifications.
• Controls are configured to offer maximum efficiency and ergonomics, as well as smooth and trouble-free linkage for valve operation.
• Top control modules feature valve controls attached to stainless steel valves by high performance stainless steel aircraft type cable assemblies. This exclusive HME design eliminates the inefficiencies associated with standard control rods.
• Robust double-wall door construction protects the pump module from damage and unauthorized adjustments.
• Direct port valve mounting and installation of the valve direct on the pump discharge chest eliminates pressure drop to maintain maximum water flow.
• Foam discharge piping, double check valve, injection port and flow meter are mounted in a single Victaulic mounted manifold to provide immediate access for easier field retrofits, service, and maintenance.
• Directive priming, utilizing a single priming pump and motor, provides priming to as many as four different locations. Front intake, rear intake, left and right MIV and pump chest can all be selected with one primer.
• Compact design provides more space for equipment, water, and essential gear.

HME has made compressed air foam system technology simple and affordable with its innovative and exclusive MAD DOG™ CAFS. This patented compressed air foam system eliminates adjustments of foam proportioning and air injection valves. Simply charge the CAFS line with water, activate the foam system and push the CAFS button. The MAD DOG^™ instantly supplies 150-GPM of fire smothering, long-range compressed air foam to quickly suppress wildland, vehicle and structure fires.

• Affordable – the most affordable, heavy duty, structural grade compressed air foam system on the market.
• HME State of the art air compressor – the heart of the MAD DOG™ CAFS is its exclusive HME air compressor design and precision solid-state controller.
• Simple and effective – just charge the MAD DOG™ CAFS line with water and activate the foam system with a push of a button – it’s that simple.
• Instant and effective – MAD DOG™ CAFS instantly supplies 150-GPM of long-range compressed air foam for fast and effective fire suppression.

HME is the world’s largest single-source producer of custom, stainless steel fire apparatus. HME uses stainless steel almost exclusively in the construction of bodies and components because of the many advantages and benefits stainless steel has to offer in the tough and harsh environments fire apparatus face on an almost daily basis.

• Lightweight – stainless steel is as light, or lighter than extruded aluminum construction.
• Corrosion resistant – stainless steel is extremely resistant to corrosion and rust. It resists corrosive chemicals, salts, foams, and long exposure to water far better, and far longer than extruded aluminum or common steel.
• Easy maintenance – stainless steel is easy to clean and maintain. Brushed or mirror finished stainless steel retain a beautiful finish for years to come.
• Easy to repair – the modular bolt design of HME Ahrens-Fox bodies allow fast and economical replacement of damaged panels - not the entire body as is the case with aluminum extruded constructions. Panels are reproduced from our computer files and shipped to the repair facility to keep fire apparatus downtime to a minimum.
• Durable - stainless steel resists cracking from pressure and stress. Unlike aluminum constructions, stainless steel will not fracture or crack from chassis twisting or vibration.

There’s a lot riding on the quality of your steering system. The maneuverability and safety of your crew and the public depend on the strength, engineering and integrity of your steering mechanism and design. Because steering and vehicle control is so critical in fire fighting applications, HME engineers have created a robust steering construction to meet the toughest demands in the harshest environments.

• Industry leading maneuverability – HME fire apparatus offer the tightest turning radius in the industry today with 52˚ turning/cramp angle – with tires mounted.
• Tougher engineering – direct mounted steering with dual gear design provides added security and safety for both fire apparatus and crews.

Fire apparatus engines operate in high-heat environments for extended periods of time. Ordinary engine cooling systems aren’t designed to stand up to the continuous heat and rigors of these testing conditions without eventually failing – causing severe engine damage or loss of fire fighting capabilities. To ensure extended and optimal engine cooling, under the most unforgiving and demanding conditions, HME has designed an exclusive cooling system that’s more than tough enough to take on hours of unrelenting heat and service.

• Higher density of radiator cooling tubes – HME radiators provide greater cooling performance with a denser concentration of radiator cooling tubes. More tubing provides greater exposure to fan airflow.
• Modine Beta-Weld dual bond construction resists continuous exposure to high levels of heat that can destroy other radiator fabrication methods. HME’s Modine Beta-Weld dual bond construction provides longer service life and dependability.
• An HME exclusive fan-shroud design, mounted to the engine rather than the chassis and frame, offers fixed and tighter tolerances to reduce fan-swirl and concentrate air flow directly to the radiator for improved cooling efficiency.

HME leads the way again with the introduction of an High Performance Gearing for fire apparatus. While standard 6-speed transmissions are available for the majority of fire apparatus, the introduction of High Performance Gearing now provides departments serving hilly or mountainous regions an option that delivers significantly improved performance from responsiveness and fuel economy to improved engine and drive train life.

• High Performance Gearing – for hilly or mountainous service.
• Standard 6-speed transmission – to meet the demands of the majority of fire apparatus applications.

HME is the world’s first dedicated manufacturer of fire apparatus to introduce a 100% compressed natural gas powered fire truck to the fire fighting industry. The HME Ahrens-Fox^® CNG is the first fire, EMS and rescue response vehicle powered by a clean emission, compressed natural gas (CNG) engine. This innovative and industry leading fire apparatus meets all present EPA emission standards without the use or addition of exotic filters or exhaust gas treatment devices. While the HME Ahrens-Fox CNG engine may be innovative and unusual, the quality and capability of this CNG fire apparatus is not – it carries all the advanced design features, capabilities, and quality engineering found in every HME Ahrens-Fox.

• Industry leadership – the first fire, EMS, rescue response vehicle powered by a clean-emission, compressed natural gas (CNG) engine.
• Meets all present EPA emission standards without exotic filters or exhaust gas treatment devices.