About Us
Palmetto Fire Apparatus is a locally owned and operated used fire truck sales and service center located in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Palmetto Fire Apparatus specializes in used fire truck sales, fleet preventive maintenance, factory warranty repair, pump testing, aerial testing and fire pump repair. Palmetto Fire Apparatus also buys and sells used fire trucks and apparatus.
Palmetto Fire Apparatus Inc. was founded in September 2007 by Hank Strickland and Nick Carmody. These two friends had worked together for the past ten years servicing and maintaining fire trucks. Combined Hank and Nick have over 45 years of fire service experience.
Owners Hank and Nick both saw the need for a full service facility to meet the growing needs of the area to meet the NFPA recommendations. They felt they could provide the area with the specialty service needed. Before founding Palmetto Fire Apparatus, Nick worked as a service and repair technician for the Town of Hilton Head Island for 10 years. Hank retired after a 28 year career for the Town of Hilton Head Island, starting as a firefighter/paramedic in 1976 and retiring at the rank of Assistant Chief over Maintenance/Logistics.
Hank Strickland
Owner 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.
Nick Carmody
Owner Nick Carmody is the lead Emergency Vehicle Technician over the maintenance division for Palmetto Fire Apparatus. Nick's career in the fire service first started as a volunteer Firefighter with the City of Hardeeville, South Carolina. Nick attended Beaufort Jasper career Education Center where he received a degree in auto mechanics. Following graduation in 1998 Nick served the Hilton Head Island Fire and Rescue Maintenance Division as a maintenance technician. During his 10 years with the Department Nick was in charge of maintaining the Town's fleet of Emergency Apparatus.
Frank Mularz
For the past 6 years Frank has been a lead Technician with the Town of Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue maintenance division.  Frank has over 40 years experience as a diesel mechanic with an extensive knowledge of emergency apparatus. We are pleased to introduce our newest team member.
Dave Metz
Dave Metz came to us this year as a tech apprentice and detailer. Currently Dave works for the Town of Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue division as a driver operator and paramedic, where he has been serving the Town for the past 11 years.
Mike Lassiter
Mike Lassiter is currently a career firefighter/EMT-I with over 11 years of experience with Jasper County Fire/Rescue and the Levy Fire Department. Mike has joined us to assist in the detail shop.
Lou Poindexter
Lou has joined forces with Palmetto Fire Apparatus to handle new Ferrara truck sales in the State of Georgia. Lou graduated from the University of Florida and Valdosta State College, Lou also obtained a degree from the University of Memphis in Fire Prevention Technology. His firefighting career started in 1981 on Hilton Head where he retired before spending a year firefighting at Camp Endurance, Iraq for a private contractor. We are happy to have the opportunity to partner with Lou.