1st Out Specialty Vehicles & Equipment

What 1st Out Specialty Vehicles & Equipment does

1st Out Specialty Vehicles & Equipment is a firefighter-owned authorized dealer and certified service center for emergency vehicles, headquartered in Moon Township (Coraopolis), Pennsylvania. Founded in 2004, the company sells fire apparatus, ambulances, and emergency response vehicles from six major manufacturers (Spartan ERV, Smeal, LTC Aerials, Rescue 1, Fouts Brothers, and PL Custom Ambulance) and distributes equipment and gear from more than 70 brands, including Viking turnout gear and Hackney light/air vehicles. The company serves municipal and volunteer fire departments, EMS agencies, and commercial fleet operators primarily across Western and Central Pennsylvania.

The business generates revenue through three streams: one-time sales of new and stock fire apparatus, ambulances, and emergency equipment; distribution of gear and accessories; and recurring service revenue from emergency vehicle repair, pump testing, aerial inspections, preventative maintenance, and commercial fleet maintenance. Pricing is quote-based for apparatus and equipment, and service work is offered through a certified PA State Inspection Station and DOT Class 7 Inspection Station with EVT- and ASE-certified technicians. The company also offers specialized capabilities including on-location pump testing for customers with three or more units, free same-day retests after pump repair, custom fabrication, and turnout gear cleaning/inspection/alteration services.

Go-to-market is direct sales-led, supplemented by regional event participation (e.g., Monroeville Fire Expo), a company website with a blog, and organic social media on Facebook and Instagram. Customer relationships are long-cycle, tied to apparatus lifecycles that can exceed 15-20 years, creating durable service and parts revenue. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional investment, no parent company, and no subsidiaries, and is led by President Ron Faherty, VP Sales Chuck Gasti, Equipment Sales Manager Mike Yanche, and Service Manager Kevin LeFever.

Name

1st Out Specialty Vehicles & Equipment

Legal name

1st Out Specialty Vehicles & Equipment

Website

https://1stoutspecialty.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

1st Out Specialty Vehicles & Equipment is a firefighter-owned, authorized dealer and certified service center selling fire apparatus, ambulances, and emergency equipment (70+ brands) to fire departments, EMS agencies, and commercial fleets across Western and Central Pennsylvania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Vehicle Sales and Service

NAICS

Motorcycle, Boat, and Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (44122), Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013), Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Truck Manufacturing (Fire/Rescue/Military-Commercial/Expedition) (IMACABAG)

Keywords

• Emergency vehicle sales
• Fire apparatus dealer
• Ambulance sales service
• Commercial fleet repair
• Fire rescue equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Coraopolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Emergency Vehicle Sales: Sales of fire apparatus (pumpers, tankers, aerials, rescue vehicles) and ambulances. Products include custom-built and stock units from manufacturer partners including Spartan, Smeal, Fouts Brothers, and PL Custom Ambulance.
2. Emergency Equipment & Gear Sales: Distribution of emergency equipment and gear from 70+ manufacturers including turnout gear, rescue equipment, lighting, pumps, and specialized firefighting tools.
3. Vehicle Service & Repair: Emergency vehicle repair and maintenance services including inspections, preventative maintenance, pump testing, aerial inspections, and fleet maintenance. Certified PA and DOT Class 7 Inspection Station.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

1st Out Specialty Vehicles & Equipment is an authorized dealer and service center for emergency vehicles, selling custom fire apparatus, ambulances, and emergency equipment, while providing emergency vehicle repair, maintenance, pump and aerial testing, and commercial fleet services to fire departments, EMS agencies, and municipal first responders in Western and Central Pennsylvania.

Product overview

1st Out Specialty Vehicles & Equipment is a firefighter-owned emergency vehicle dealer and service center based in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, operating since 2004. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of fire apparatus (including Spartan, Smeal, Rescue 1, Fouts Brothers, and LTC Aerials brands), ambulances (PL Custom), and turnover gear (Viking). In addition to selling vehicles, the company provides emergency vehicle repair, pump & aerial testing, and fleet maintenance services. The company is an authorized distributor for over 70 brands of emergency equipment and gear including thermal imaging cameras, rescue tools, lighting, and communications equipment. Stock units include tankers (2000-3000 gallon), rescue trucks, and custom apparatus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Spartan ERV Fire Apparatus Custom fire apparatus from Spartan Emergency Response including pumpers, engines, rescue vehicles, aerials, tankers, and steel-ladder aerials for municipal fire departments. Authorized Spartan ERV dealer.
• Smeal Fire Apparatus Smeal brand fire apparatus including aerials, quint vehicles, pumpers, and custom configurations. Authorized Smeal dealer.
• Rescue 1 Fire Apparatus Heavy-duty custom-made rescue vehicles built for a lifetime of service. Authorized Rescue 1 dealer.
• Fouts Brothers Fire Apparatus Fire trucks with streamlined fabrication methods offering superior quality at competitive prices with quicker delivery times. Authorized Fouts Brothers dealer.
• LTC Aerials Fire Apparatus Ladder Tower Company aerial apparatus including 75ft and 110ft ladder trucks and quint configurations. Authorized LTC dealer.
• 2000 Gallon Tanker Stock Unit Fouts Fire 2000 gallon water tanker on Kenworth T480 chassis with Hale 1000 GPM pump, Paccar PX-9 450 HP engine, Allison transmission, and pump-and-roll capability. Stock unit available for immediate delivery.
• 3000 Gallon Tanker Stock Unit Fouts Fire 3000 gallon water tanker on Kenworth T-480 chassis with Hale 1000 GPM pump, Paccar PX-9 450 HP engine, Allison transmission, and pump-and-roll capability. Stock unit expected for delivery in October 2025.
• R-371 18'9" Walk-Around Rescue Truck 2025 Freightliner M2 106 walk-around rescue with 18'9" extruded aluminum body, Cummins L9 300 HP engine, 35kw PTO generator, Whelen LED lighting package, and upper storage compartments. Stock unit available for immediate delivery.
• Spartan/LT 54' Squrt Spartan Gladiator ELFD pumper with 54ft squrt aerial device, 750 gallon tank, 25 gallon foam, 5000 GPM Waterous pump, Cummins 500HP engine, and multiple EMS compartments. Listed as an upcoming customer delivery.
• PL Custom Ambulance Type I, Type III modular ambulances, remounts, and Fire Chief/First Response vehicles including Medallion Type III and Classic Type I models. Authorized PL Custom dealer for EMS agencies and industrial ambulance buyers.
• Viking Turnout Gear Scandinavian-designed firefighter turnout gear including Viking Warrior (personalized fit with VIKING PartX particle protection), Viking Valkyrie (designed for female firefighters), and Viking Shield (triple-certified for technical rescue, EMS, and wildland). Includes turnout gear cleaning, inspection, repair, and alteration services.
• Emergency Equipment and Gear Distribution Authorized distribution of over 70 brands of emergency, rescue, and fire equipment including thermal imaging cameras, rescue tools, Zodiac boats, hoses, nozzles, SCBA, lights, and related gear.
• Hackney Light and Air Vehicles Hackney EV light and air trucks for breathing air systems, light towers, and cascade operations.
• Emergency Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Inspections, maintenance, and repairs for all fire and emergency apparatus brands. Services include PA state inspections, preventative maintenance, pump testing, aerial inspections, brake system, chassis, generator, driveline, steering, and cooling system service, performed by EVT- and ASE-certified technicians.
• Pump and Aerial Testing Comprehensive pump testing, aerial inspections, and ground ladder testing. Same-day retests after repair are free, and on-location testing is available for fleets of three or more units.
• Commercial Fleet Maintenance Commercial fleet repair and maintenance for light to heavy-duty trucks. Certified PA and DOT Class 7 Inspection Station ensuring compliance and safety for commercial fleet operators in Moon Township and surrounding Pennsylvania communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20 years in business serving Western and Central Pennsylvania fire departments
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Viking GearcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor1st Out Specialty is a partner/distributor for VIKING turnout gear, offering VIKING WARRIOR, VIKING VALKYRIE (designed for women firefighters), and VIKING SHIELD (triple-certified for technical rescue, EMS, and wildland). They offer turnout gear services including cleaning, inspections, repairs, and alterations.
• Grit Fire TrainingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrit Fire Training is a VIKING brand ambassador and partner with 1st Out Specialty, dedicated to advancing firefighter training and readiness through hands-on programs.
• Spartan Emergency Response (Spartan ERV)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Spartan ERV Custom Fire Apparatus Dealer. Spartan is the foremost manufacturer of custom fire apparatus specializing in aerials and steel ladders.
• SmealcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Smeal dealer for fire apparatus including pumpers, aerials, andquint vehicles.
• Rescue 1coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Rescue 1 dealer. Rescue 1 produces highly heavy-duty, custom-made, dependable rescue vehicles built for a lifetime of service.
• Fouts BrotherscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Fouts Bros dealer. Fouts Bros offers a proven line of top-quality fire trucks with streamlined fabrication methods for superior trucks at lower prices and quicker delivery times.
• PL Custom AmbulancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized PL Custom Ambulance dealer offering Type I, Type III, and custom ambulances, remounts, and Fire Chief/First Response vehicles.
• Ladder Tower Co (LTC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized LTC (formerly LTI) dealer for aerial ladder and quint apparatus.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• KME (Kovatch Mobile Equipment): Established U.S. manufacturer of custom fire apparatus and emergency vehicles. Competes with the OEMs 1st Out represents and is a more vertically integrated, scaled incumbent in the same fire apparatus market.
• REV Group: Public holding company owning multiple fire apparatus, ambulance, and specialty vehicle brands (e.g., E-ONE, KME, REV Ambulance). A dominant broad incumbent whose brands directly compete with 1st Out's dealer portfolio.
• W.S. Darley & Co. Long-established distributor and manufacturer of firefighting equipment, gear, and apparatus. Overlaps with 1st Out on the 70+ brand equipment and gear distribution side, with broader national reach.
• Pierce Manufacturing: Largest U.S. manufacturer of custom fire apparatus and a division of Oshkosh Corporation. Operates a national dealer network that overlaps with 1st Out's product category and customer base.

Others

• Spartan Emergency Response (Spartan ERV): Manufacturer of custom fire apparatus (aerials, pumpers, rescues). 1st Out is an authorized Spartan dealer; Spartan is a key supplier/principal, making it a strategic partner-competitor for customer mindshare.
• PL Custom Ambulance: Manufacturer of Type I, Type III, and custom ambulances. A key OEM partner for 1st Out and a comparable product line for emergency medical vehicle buyers.
• Fire Engineering / Fire Apparatus Magazine Dealer Network: Industry trade publication tracking regional fire apparatus dealers across the U.S.; relevant as a sourcing channel for comparable dealer benchmarks and competitive intelligence on the 1st Out model.

Direct peers

• Robinson Fire Apparatus: Authorized dealer for major fire apparatus OEMs with sales, service, and parts operations across the Mid-Atlantic — comparable multi-brand dealership and service-center model.
• Firematic Supply Co. Regional authorized dealer and distributor of fire apparatus, ambulances, and emergency equipment serving the Northeast U.S. Highly comparable multi-OEM dealership model with a service and parts business.
• Mid-State Fire Equipment: Pennsylvania-based dealer of fire trucks, ambulances, and emergency equipment with in-house service and inspection capabilities — directly overlapping 1st Out's geography and product/offering mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/1stoutspecialty
• Instagraminstagram.com/1stoutspecialtyvehicle

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 1st Out Specialty Vehicles & Equipment