How often should fire apparatus be serviced and maintained according to NFPA?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, fire apparatus should be serviced and maintained at least once a year to ensure they are functioning properly and remain in a state of readiness. This annual maintenance is crucial as it involves thorough inspections, testing of equipment, and necessary repairs, which can enhance safety and performance during emergency responses.

Regular maintenance checks help identify any potential issues before they escalate into critical failures, ensuring that the fire apparatus can operate effectively when needed. This proactive approach supports the safety of firefighters and the public during emergency situations. While more frequent inspections may be beneficial in certain circumstances, NFPA emphasizes the minimum threshold for maintenance at least once a year as a standard practice to uphold reliability and safety in fire service operations.