Hi-Tech Emergency Vehicle Service, Inc./American LaFrance of Northern California is located in Oakdale, California, adjacent to the world renowned Hershey's Chocolate facility.
Established in 1987 by former Van Pelt Fire Trucks employees, Dan Marchione, Ben Ruthman, Robert "Bob" Parker and Lynn Chappell, Hi-Tech E.V.S. provides California and Nevada fire departments with new fire apparatus, bumper-to-tailboard vehicle repair services, in addition to part sales for most fire service industry component manufacturers.
In 1987, Hi-Tech's initial business plan outlined a strategy to focus attention on providing warranty and repair services to owners of non-west coast apparatus manufacturers, such as E-One, Pierce, KME and FMC. However, it soon became apparent that the west coast fire service customer base still wanted to purchase new apparatus from a "local" manufacturer.
Drawing on 80+ years of combined hands-on construction experience from their Van Pelt days, the owners agreed to build the first Hi-Tech unit in 1989 for the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District. Orders from other "local" fire departments soon followed.
Seventeen years and 300+ custom-built units later, Hi-Tech E.V.S. has grown to become a recognized name brand throughout the fire apparatus manufacturing industry.
In addition to the many Hi-Tech units manufactured in Oakdale, an equal, or possibly greater, quantity of aerials and custom pumpers manufactured by other builders - LTI, 3D and American LaFrance - have been sold in California and Nevada as a result of the sales efforts of the Oakdale staff.
Today, situated on 6+ acres, 45 year round employees continue the hand-crafted tradition of manufacturing quality apparatus within the 25,000 square foot manufacturing facility. Additionally, Hi-Tech E.V.S. is the authorized distributor of the complete product line of American LaFrance Fire and Rescue apparatus within northern California and western Nevada territories.
Hi-Tech E.V.S. hasn't forgotten their humble beginnings. Today, as in days past, Hi-Tech continues to offer their customers parts sales, in-field Hurst system servicing, and annual pump certification, all of which are in addition to their hand-crafted apparatus.
