Oren Fire Apparatus manufacturing developed as an offshoot of The Roanoke Welding and Equipment Company, a Roanoke, Virginia, based family business founded in 1917 which specialized in welding, fabrication, automotive repair and specialty truck body building. From their first fire apparatus built in 1934 to the beautiful and classic "Custom, " Oren became a favorite of the fire service. Finally, a book that pays tribute to these magnificently crafted rigs with photographs carefully selected by noted historian Thomas L. Herman.