Where is FES Located?

Sumter, South Carolina

At Safe Industries, supporting those who serve goes beyond delivering vehicles – it’s about the people, processes, and attention to detail that make every apparatus reliable and purpose-built.

In Sumter, South Carolina, Fire Equipment Sales & Services (FES), located at 1665 Stamey Livestock Road, has specialized in fire apparatus and equipment since being acquired by Safe Industries on September 8, 2008. The team designs, services, repairs, and upfits fire apparatus, combining experience with innovative engineering solutions. To gain insight into that process, we spoke to Aaron Feldman, Apparatus Design Engineer at FES, who has been with the company since November 2015.

“All design elements from beginning to end come to my desk.”

As the apparatus design engineer, Aaron, oversees all engineering aspects for every FES project, from new builds to upfits, repairs, projects for Safe Industries, the ERT team, and Anderson Brothers. He explains: “All design elements from beginning to end come to my desk.”

For new builds, Aaron begins with proposal specs from the sales team, turning customer requests into detailed design drawings. Once the contract is signed, he engineers and selects pumps, tanks, body elements, and configurations, ensuring everything operates seamlessly. He then develops production outlines for the team and works directly with carpenters and production staff to verify that all components are built correctly. Aaron oversees chassis orders, verifies specifications, and inspects incoming units to ensure no modifications are needed.

Pride in the Work

For Aaron, the most rewarding part of his work isn’t the technical challenge – it’s the impact.

“On a day-to-day basis, to me, at least, it’s a wonderful thing to be able to help those who help others. Al said it best: I get to design firetrucks so that firefighters can go help save lives and protect property. There is so much pride in knowing you’re making a difference and a part of something bigger than yourself.”

“Al said it best: I get to design firetrucks so that firefighters can go help save lives and protect property.

FES is driven by a mission to equip the firefighting industry with high-quality, reliable, and purpose-built apparatus.

“We take pride in the way that we design our firetrucks. We build them a lot stronger than the competition. A customer can come in and essentially design a firetruck to their exact needs.”

Aaron emphasizes that FES stands out not just for innovation, but for the people behind the product.

“Our quality and employees make the difference in the product we put out. I’d put our bodies up against anyone else any day of the week, and I guarantee you they’re stronger.”

Growth & Innovation

Over Aaron’s ten years at FES, the company has seen significant growth and change. Personnel, management, and production processes have evolved to better meet industry demands, while customer specifications and expectations have shifted dramatically. Production has scaled to accommodate these changes, and the move from analog to digital technology has transformed firetrucks, including the introduction of touchscreen pump controls. As Aaron explains, “The industry is constantly changing. You see what competitors are doing, fire departments see other departments’ apparatus, and then you have to innovate to meet their needs – even if it’s something you’ve never done before.”

One of the most impactful innovations has been the development of stock units. These pre-engineered trucks come with select customizable options, allowing FES to reduce turnaround time without sacrificing quality when the seconds count.

“Quicker turnaround from spec to delivery has put us into a different category. We are the only firetruck manufacturer in South Carolina that can offer a custom firetruck from the ground up.”

“We are the only firetruck manufacturer in South Carolina that can offer a custom firetruck from the ground up.”

Through dedication, innovation, and commitment to quality, FES continues to set the standard in fire apparatus design and manufacturing, ensuring first responders have the vehicles and tools they need to serve their communities safely and effectively.