BY JIM WILKINS
The fire service is an industry steepED in tradition, but from time to time it becomes prudent to stop and take a look at the progress of apparatus design needs, especially when considering the fast pace at which technological advancements become available in the marketplace.
The general theory of marketing teaches us that if someone goes out and finds a need and designs and builds a product that meets that need, he should be successful in the marketplace. However, when products are sold under a bid system process where written bid specifications are used in the purchase, there is frequently a collision between theory and reality. The common paradox is that you can write a bid specification only to purchase something that someone, and preferably more than one manufacturer, currently makes or is willing to make. If you don't follow the system, you either won't receive any bids or the bids received will not meet the requirements as set in your bid specification. Because of the written bid specification process, it frequently takes manufacturers a longer time to recognize when changes occur in the market and when a new need exists.
If you are a current subscriber,login hereto access this content.
If you would like to become a subscriber, please visit ushere.
