ABOUT US
Founded in 2006, Palmetto Fire Apparatus is a leading provider of emergency vehicle fleet maintenance, as well as an active participant in the national market for quality, used apparatus. Based in the Hilton Head/Savannah area, PFA provides preventative maintenance and major repair/renovation service for customers from Florida to North Carolina. Palmetto Fire Apparatus service technicians are Emergency Vehicle Technician-certified. PFA performs services both in our shop in Ridgeland, SC and at our customer locations. Our fleet of mobile service trucks give us the ability to do full maintenance and repairs for customers outside of our immediate area. Palmetto Fire Apparatus is also a leader in the national market for refurbished emergency vehicles. We have over $1mm in inventory, and we buy all of our trucks and refurbish them to our exacting specifications before we will list them for sale. This insures that we are able to deliver quality vehicles to our customers.
OUR TEAM
Andrew Barnard
President
Andrew Barnard comes to Palmetto Fire Apparatus after a 25+ year career in finance and operations. Andrew worked in finance from 1989 to 2009, when he left to pursue operational opportunities. Since 2009, he has worked in small to mid-size businesses in a variety of industries. Andrew’s focus is on growing the Company while maintaining the customer service and quality that has been so important to Palmetto Fire Apparatus’ success.
andrew@pfafire.com
Hank Strickland
Sales Director
Hank Strickland first joined the fire service as a volunteer in 1974. In 1976 Hank joined the Sea Pines Forest Beach fire department as a paid member. During his 28 year career with the Sea Pines Forest Beach Fire Department and the Hilton Head Island Fire Department, Hank held the positions of Firefighter, Driver, Paramedic, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief and Assistant Chief. During his last 8 years Hank served as an Assistant Chief over Maintenance and logistics before retiring in 2005. Hank (along with Nick) founded Palmetto Fire Apparatus in 2005.
hank@pfafire.com
Bryan Ramey
Director of Operations
Bryan Ramey is the Director of Operations for Palmetto Fire Apparatus. Bryan has been involved in emergency vehicle repairs over 23 years. His experience began in the military, where he worked on apparatus. After his military career, Bryan worked as a maintenance contractor around the world, before returning home to South Carolina. Prior to joining Palmetto Fire Apparatus, Bryan developed and managed the service operations for several other apparatus dealers in the state.
bryan@pfafire.com
IV Hill
Senior Emergency Vehicle Technician
IV joined Palmetto Fire Apparatus in 2017. Prior to that, IV was a senior maintenance technician for 6 years and a maintenance technician and firefighter for 17 years at the Port Wentworth Fire Department. IV holds a Master EVT certificate and Master ASE certificates in both automotive and heavy/medium duty trucks.
Roger Fegan
Senior Emergency Vehicle Technician
Roger has been involved in vehicle maintenance for over 30 years. Roger is E.V.T. certified, and provides diagnostic, maintenance and repair services to emergency vehicles of all types. Roger joined the Company in 2015.
Vincent Matthews
Senior Emergency Vehicle Technician
Vincent Matthews is an experienced emergency vehicle technician and possesses a number of EVT certifications. Vince has been working in the Florence area for nearly his entire career, and has deep relationships in the community. Vince started working for Palmetto Fire Apparatus in 2024.
Tyler Mathews
Emergency Vehicle Technician
Tyler rejoined Palmetto Fire Apparatus in 2023, after taking a few years to work in the fire service. Tyler has several EVT certificates and works both on the road and in our Ridgeland location.
Chris Ayers
Emergency Vehicle Technician
Chris joined Palmetto Fire Apparatus in 2024 as an emergency vehicle technician. Chris works mostly on the road, serving the greater Summerville/Berkeley County area.
Patrick Powell
Emergency Vehicle Technician
Patrick joined Palmetto Fire Apparatus in 2024 and has worked hard to earn his EVT and develop his skills.