Four members of the Apparatus Committee traveled to Appleton, Wisconsin, (February 18 to 20) to meet with the engineering and sales staff at Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. and conduct a "pre-build" conference for the construction of the new, Engine 141. This meeting is critical in the acceptance of the final design of the new pumper. The members spent 2-1/2 days working through the bid specification and addressing all components on the new pumper from the pump piping to the emergency lighting to the electric power provided to the design of the tailboard. Upon the completion of the pre-bid conference, the manufacturer can begin work on final design drawings for the individual components and secure a "spot" in the production line. Members travelling to the Pierce plant were Chief Schneider, Assistant Chief Davis, Lieutenant Haspert, and FF S. Dayhoff.