09/03/2026
CUSTOM FIRE APPARATUS FABRICATION — STONINGTON FIRE COMPANY TANKER 633
Another custom project completed for Stonington Fire Company, this time on Tanker 633.
This project started with a fairly simple request. The passenger-side compartment is used to store hose, and Stonington originally approached us about adding dividers to better organize the existing space.
After discussing how the compartment was actually being used, that simple idea grew into a completely custom solution.
Rather than just installing dividers, we designed and fabricated an all-aluminum slide-out hose storage tray using heavy-duty commercial-grade industrial slides. Instead of having to reach into the compartment and load or unload hose sideways, the entire tray can now be pulled out for much easier access.
One of the most important features is the mechanical latch system, which positively secures the tray in both the open and closed positions.
Fire apparatus isn’t always operating on level ground. When the tray is extended, the latch prevents it from rolling back into the compartment while the crew is working. When it’s closed, the tray is mechanically locked in place rather than relying on the compartment’s roll-up door to contain the weight and movement of the loaded drawer.
The latch was also designed to be simple to operate while wearing turnout gear and heavy gloves.
Another feature that’s difficult to see is built right into the floor of the tray.
We designed the center of the tray slightly higher than the front and rear, directing water toward drainage points at both ends. Drain holes allow water remaining in wet hose to drain completely out of the tray rather than collecting underneath it. The same design allows rainwater to escape if the drawer is extended while crews are working in bad weather.
It’s a small detail visually, but an important one when you’re designing something that’s going to live on a working fire apparatus.
The entire assembly was designed, laser cut, formed, fabricated, and welded in-house at Cecco Motorsports in Coal Township, PA.
This is exactly the kind of project we enjoy. Stonington came to us with their ideas, their needs, and the problems they wanted to solve—and then gave us the freedom to develop the solution.
What started as a request for a few dividers became a purpose-built hose storage system designed around accessibility, drainage, safety, durability, and how their crew actually works.
And it turned out awesome.
Whether you’re a fire company, first responder organization, trucking company, municipality, or service operation, if you have equipment that doesn’t quite work the way you need it to, we’d be glad to talk about what we can build or modify for you.
Bring us the problem. We’ll help develop the solution.
Cecco Motorsports — Coal Township, PA
Designed. Cut. Formed. Fabricated. Welded. In-house.
