Ram trucks with Emergency package build

[watersupply189]

Hey all,
I have a question and was hoping I might be able to find answers here on this great forum. Does anybody know if FCA offers the Ram trucks with an Emergency package build for fire departments? I'm talking about complete lights, sirens and lettering etc...
The fire department I work at is wanting to purchase a Ram truck but if they don't offer the package then I'm afraid they will have no choice but go with Chevy or Ford because I know that these companies offer those packages. I know they offered them in police packages but I can't seem to find any info for fire department packages. If anyone knows if they do, could you post a link where I can find this?
Thank you

 

[Deleted member 995608]

My department just put into service (2) cab in chassis Rams. They were sent to Rosenbauer where they custom built what we spec'd out. Your FD should be able to do the same. I'd rather have Rosenbauer, or Ferrara or even Smeal build a rig for me versus the propeller heads at Fiat do it.

 

[watersupply189]

My department just put into service (2) cab in chassis Rams. They were sent to Rosenbauer where they custom built what we spec'd out. Your FD should be able to do the same. I'd rather have Rosenbauer, or Ferrara or even Smeal build a rig for me versus the propeller heads at Fiat do it.

We usually do the same when we spec our trucks but this is just going to be a run around regular pickup truck hauling hoses back from fires etc. and not actually be running emergency calls. Only reason they are wanting lights and stuff on it is for safety if it has to sit out on a roadway. I am pretty sure Rosenbauer, Ferrara or Smeal would charge an arm and a leg to package one out. lol
I was just hoping that Ram could build one turn key without having to go through third party companies...
Thanks for your input JHaws :-laf

 

[Deleted member 995608]

No problem. So they want a dual purpose utility with wig wags and such? Looks like your getting a Ford or Chevy then. I know there is an EMS package with Ram, but I believe it's geared towards an ambulance box. Call em up and ask. Let us know.

 

[jgillott]

Unless I've missed something, I've never seen a factory supplied Ford or Chevy like you are describing with factory installed lights, etc. What we have always done here for a truck like that is simply buy one equipped the way we want it and add our own light bars, sirens, etc.

 

[gsbrockman]

The VISM option should be ordered on the truck to interface everything easily.....

http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2013/docs/ram/ramvsim.pdf

 

[spoon059]

What is the difference between a "police package" and an "emergency package"? Usually they are just lighting packages that include hideaway strobes or LED's in the corner lights and prewired for grille lights or something like that. The truck won't know if you buy a "police package" and use it as an EMS apparatus.

It is probably far cheaper to purchase a stock Ram and simply add a couple of interior or exterior lights to it yourself. If you get the upfitter switches (came standard on my Snow Chief package) then its already prewired for it. Stock truck and $500 worth of lights and you will have a much better setup than would come from Ram anyways.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

What is the difference between a "police package" and an "emergency package"? Usually they are just lighting packages that include hideaway strobes or LED's in the corner lights and prewired for grille lights or something like that. The truck won't know if you buy a "police package" and use it as an EMS apparatus.

It is probably far cheaper to purchase a stock Ram and simply add a couple of interior or exterior lights to it yourself. If you get the upfitter switches (came standard on my Snow Chief package) then its already prewired for it. Stock truck and $500 worth of lights and you will have a much better setup than would come from Ram anyways.

Color of lights, light placement and types of lights. Fire/EMS needs to differentiate from Police.

 

[spoon059]

Color of lights, light placement and types of lights. Fire/EMS needs to differentiate from Police.

Yes, I understand that. I have 14 years of law enforcement and have several friends who are volunteer/career firefighters. I understand the difference between police and fire lighting. My point was that I highly doubt that Ram only offers a single color package for police or fire equipped vehicles.

In New York, the police run red and white. In the south they run all blue. In California they have to have solid red to the front.

In Maryland fire apparatus run red and white. In Delaware fire runs red and blue.

I am sure that whatever Ram offers for lighting is universal (clear hideaways/flashing of reverse/stop lamps and clear wig wags usually) or to spec (you can order grille lights in whatever color combo that you prefer).

Either way, I am sure that it is a BASIC package that will not be sufficient for your needs of sitting on a roadway and blocking traffic. NFPA requires certain lighting specs, as I am sure your state laws do as well. I highly doubt that any vehicle manufacturer is willing to assume the liability to meet all those specs with a lighting package. As such, they offer certain minimal lighting integration with the assumption that the end user will supplement that lighting and get to minimum requirements.

Again I would suggest it is MUCH easier and cheaper to buy whichever powertrain meets your departmental needs and add lighting (and siren) as you need. You can buy 2 sets of hideaway strobe or LED for a couple hundred dollars, install one in the headlight assembly and the other in the taillight assembly that will give you 360 degree coverage. You can add a headliner LED bar in the front windshield for another $200. You can add a couple of interior lights in the rear side windows (assuming crewcab) for about $100. For the rear you can add an LED stick in the rear window ($200), you can get a headache rack or toolbox in the bed and add a couple of standalone LED modules ($50-100 each), you can get a headache rack and mount a full lightbar ($300-1500 for a lightbar) you can flush mount some LED modules on the tailgate of the truck ($50-100 each).

Most of that lighting (except for a full lightbar) is relatively easy to buy and install. Heck, you can even buy those lights with cigarette plugs and an on/off switch and not have to worry about wiring. The options are only limited by your budget. You can spec the truck out to your color requirements, state law requirements, NFPS 1901 requirements, etc.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Spoon059 - I wasn't trying to belittle you. Somehow, I believe that's the way you took it.

I'll add that NFPA puts forth recommendations, not requirements. It is up to the state or local agency to adopt NFPA standards.

 

[watersupply189]

Thanks guys for all your input, I do know Ram offers the police package for the pickups and for the fire side of things I know they offer Ambulance chassis packages but I can not find anywhere for a fire package deal for a pickup... Maybe my department can order the police package and just have the blue lights replaced with red? I'll do more digging into this and if I find anything else out I will be sure to post.. Thanks again everyone.

 

[spoon059]

JHawes, I didn't take your comments as belittling and I apologize if my response was short with you. I wasn't trying to be rude, just pointing out that Ram's "police package" likely doesn't have colored lights, and if they do, it is likely selectable by the end user. As I mentioned, different agencies, different states, different regions use different color lighting or style lighting for police vehicles.

OP, what exactly does the "police package" entail? Usually when we are talking about cars it means that they are prewired for certain things... maybe they have an additional battery or a low gauge positive battery wire to the center console... maybe they are prewired for hideaway strobes... maybe they are prewired for grille lights, etc. I have never seen a car police package that has included lights of a specific color... because there is so much variation in what colors are acceptable where.

I would guess that Ram's package includes a wig wag feature for the headlights and some sort of flashback system for the brake and reverse lights. As I stated, any of those are not sufficient for parking a stationary vehicle on a roadway at a scene. I would weigh the cost/benefit of those features and then look at the cost of outfitting a standard truck to your specs.

Good luck and stay safe.