ABOUT SPARTAN FIRE CHASSIS
Responses are challenging. Much is at stake. Trucks are traveling fast, making tight turns, loaded with heavy equipment and carrying the department’s most valuable asset: the crew. With so much riding on every response, make sure it sits on a premier foundation. Spartan Fire Chassis has been a driving force in the manufacturing of custom cab chassis since 1975. Many factors go into a successful apparatus. With Spartan, you know we’ll start building that success from the road up.
Our History
1975
Diamond Rio Trucks of Lansing declared bankruptcy. Four former employees became the founders of Spartan Fire Chassis.
Spartan Motors, Inc. was founded as a subsidiary of Form-Rite Corporation of Charlotte.
1976
The four co-founders, George Sztykiel, William Foster, Gerald Geary, and John Knox, convinced their first customer FMC to purchase the first specialized fire truck chassis.
1977
Spartan separated from Form-Rite to become an independent company. This was the company’s first profitable year.
1978
Reported nationwide sales of fire engines and other special purpose vehicles. Including “Snorkel” fire truck purchased by the City of Charlotte Fire Department.
1983
Gladiator Super Command fire truck chassis was introduced.
1984
Company went public with an initial offering of stock.
1988
The “Eurospace” cab series was introduced as the first fully enclosed crew cab without a wall between driver officer and crew, providing better protection and improved communication.
1990
Produced 283 fire trucks annually and offered 10 different cab/chassis configurations including the Gladiator, Diamond and Metro Star, Baron, and Silent Knight.
- Introduced with lowered glass area for better visibility and raised roof was moved forward of the driver/officer for more headroom
- First Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine was installed in a Spartan fire truck
1991
Employed 380 people—designed and built the Metro Star chassis, going on to become our most popular chassis today.
1992
Employed 419 people and produced 447 fire truck chassis.
1994
Launched the Fire Truck Training Conference to ensure safer vehicle repairs.
1995
Employed more than 500 people and manufacturing facility grew to 300,000 sq. ft.
1997
Fire truck cabs and chassis were specified by more than 45 different OEMs.
- Spartan Motors expanded into fire apparatus body manufacturing by acquiring Luverne Fire Apparatus Ltd. and Quality Manufacturing Inc., enabling Spartan to offer complete fire apparatus solutions.
1999
Offered a flat floor with low wheel wells and shorter engine tunnel.
2001
Introduced the “Big Easy,” a new custom fire truck chassis at a near-commercial price with limited options.
2002
Donated employee-built fire trucks to New York City following the September 11 attacks.
- Debuted the “Evolution” and “Classic” designs with two front-end options for the Gladiator.
- Founder George Sztykiel retired from the position of Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
2003
The acquired companies, Luverne and Quality Manufacturing, were merged to form Crimson Fire, consolidating fire apparatus manufacturing under a single brand.
2004
Partnered with Meritor Wabco to offer Roll Stability Controls (RSC), a device that automatically intervenes to prevent rollovers.
2005
Secured 808 new orders for fire truck chassis.
2006
Orders of custom fire truck cabs and chassis reached a record of 964 units.
- More than 50 fire trucks builders used Spartan as the foundation for their pumpers, rescues aerial units and other vehicles.
2007
Employed more than 1,800 people.
2008
Designed park-to-neutral safety feature to prevent fire pump split shaft runaway events, enhancing pump shifting.
2012
Crimson Fire rebranded as Spartan Emergency Response Vehicles (Spartan ERV), consolidating the company's fire apparatus operations under a single brand.
2017
Acquired Smeal Fire Apparatus, including its subsidiaries Smeal, Ladder Tower Company, and US Tanker, expanding its product offerings in the fire apparatus market.
- Spartan ERV was rebranded as Spartan Emergency Response, reflecting a renewed focus on providing comprehensive emergency response solutions.
2020
Spartan Motors’ Emergency Response business, including Spartan ER, Spartan Fire, and Smeal, was acquired by REV Group.
- Introduced FC94—by 2025, over a 1,000 chassis were sold.
2023
Spartan Emergency Response, now under REV Group, showcased innovations, including the Vector™, the first North American-style fully electric fire truck, at FDIC International in Indianapolis.
2024
Spartan expanded the 30th annual FTTC to include ambulance training as well as fire apparatus.
2025
50th Anniversary of Spartan Chassis.
Brand Pillars
SAFETY-DRIVEN
At Spartan Fire Chassis, we believe true safety begins with ergonomics. We engineer our fire cab and chassis with innovations that optimize functional design for unparalleled crew safety, comfort and efficiency. We are driven to providing first responders with an optimal working environment, offering them only the best.
STRATEGIC SPECIALIZATION
Spartan Fire Chassis has been setting the standards of the Fire Industry for nearly 50 years. From the beginning of the process through delivery, the attention to detail—from our engineering group through shipment—is raising the bar. The focus on processes and best practices continues to be the forefront of the industry.
INNOVATION
We believe the possibilities are endless in our quest to deliver the very best in ergonomics, safety, serviceability and agility to our customers. Taking our inspiration from first responders, we continually listen and collaborate to ensure they have the right equipment readily accessible when responding to emergencies.
PROUD HERITAGE
Spartan Fire Chassis has been building its cabs and chassis for 50 years in Charlotte, Michigan, focusing on engineering and delivering the most robust chassis in the industry. Our culture of collaboration and passion for the industry grows stronger every day.
Innovations
35,000 GAWR Rear Axle
With a 35,000-pound GAWR rear axle, Spartan offers the strongest rear axle used in fire service—stout enough to safely support and transport heavier aerials and pumpers.
Remarkable Strength
Cross-members are gusseted and mounted with grade eight flanged fasteners. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) validates the strength and performance by monitoring stress points for material efficiency, and strain gauge analysis testing verifies the structural integrity and compliance with NFPA design standards.
Extraordinarily Tight Turning Radius
We build one of the most maneuverable chassis on the market with an incredibly tight turning radius. The turning radius cramp angles range up to 53 degrees with an independent front suspension and offer up to a 19-degree approach angle, exceeding NFPA 1901 standards.
A Strong, Long-Lasting Foundation
Our galvanized steel chassis frame rails provide strength and integrity while resisting rust and corrosion. They are built to last, with low maintenance costs—holding up to the rigors and punishment dished out by hardworking fire departments.
High Air Intake System
Spartan’s High Air Intake has fewer connections and places the air filter and ember separator above the radiator and turbo connection. Placing the air intake behind the cab grille provides a higher location to help prevent potential damage from water admission. Air filter replacement can be done easily without tools and without compromising the clean side of the intake system.
Advanced Climate Control
Spartan Fire Chassis’ well-designed cabs offer the industry’s best HVAC system. The Advanced Climate Control System® exceeds standard performance requirements and maintains a comfortable cab, no matter the conditions. Its innovative design helps cool and heat the cab interior aggressively while distributing air volume evenly to all occupants. The system also quickly and effectively evacuates condensation, defrosts/defogs and clears flash fogging.
Independent Front Suspension
Spartan’s cab and chassis have a heightened level of control and maneuverability due to an air ride independent front suspension. Our system is ideal for carrying the heaviest of loads and helps reduce steering effort while maneuvering safely through crowded intersections and tight corners.
Start the Chassis Process
Protect what matters most with a fire apparatus built for your community’s unique needs. Partner with your regional Spartan account manager and design your next vehicle with Spartan Fire Chassis—engineered for those who answer the call.