Silver Ships, Inc. has delivered a new fire rescue vessel to the Destin Fire Control District, the company said in a press release.

The 52-foot Coastal Fast Response Boat (CFRB), identified as M-19, is outfitted with four 425 HP Yamaha outboards, two 1,500-gallon Darley fire pumps, and advanced firefighting and patient care technology.

“The first Coastal Fast Response Fireboat represents an innovative leap from our proven 43-foot patrol platform, tailored to meet the unique demands of maritime firefighting,” said David Hunt, Director of Business Development for Silver Ships. “Its speed, versatility and capability make it an ideal asset for protecting the Destin waterfront.”

The addition to the district’s fleet, which is the largest in Florida, will protect people both on water and land – it can operate as a floating ambulance and respond to structure fires on or near the water. Its primary mission is to better accommodate the district’s large fishing fleet by providing medical care, fire suppression, and support to offshore military.

“Not only is this vessel an asset for our residents and visitors of Destin, it is also considered a federal asset,” said Mike Landis, Deputy Chief of the Destin Fire Control District. “We are surrounded by three military bases, special force groups, countless commercial and private fishermen and a vast community of people from all over the world. This asset provides fire protection and emergency medical response on our waterways, giving us the range and speed to respond appropriately even in the toughest conditions.”

The vessel’s standout feature – two fire pumps capable of pushing 3,000 gallons per minute – is accompanied by shock mitigating decking and seating for personnel safety, a thermal camera for search and rescue operations, a full electronics and communication suite, emergency lighting and other top-of-the-line technology. An enclosed, climate-controlled cabin offers space and equipment to care for patients while transporting them safely to land, including monitors for vitals and IV equipment.

“The size and design of the boat are incredibly impactful,” said Landis. “The design paired with the enclosed cabin and powerful outboard motors will ensure we will be able to handle rougher seas – particularly the East Pass, which is nearly impassable with a smaller or differently designed vessel – and respond to our community of fishing fleets in a timely manner.”

Silver Ships’ newest product line, the Coastal Fast Response Boat (CFRB) series, was created partially in response to Destin Fire Control District’s unique needs for a multi-purpose, quick-response fire boat. The line of vessels supports law enforcement, fire departments, search and rescue organizations, first responders and personnel recovery missions. Typically ranging from 42ft to 48ft, CFRBs share the same benefits of larger patrol boats but are more agile due to their smaller size.

M-19 is docked at the Destin Fire Public Safety Dock at Destin Fire Control District Station 19 and rounds out the station’s marine division that includes two additional boats, two swift water 15-foot inflatables with jet motors and jet skis.

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In this episode, Andy Soccodato and Bill Adkins share lessons learned from their training experiences during 2025. The discussion touched on numerous practical aspects of water supply, pumping operations, and apparatus setup within diverse firefighting environments.

For a deep dive into water supply operations and apparatus setups drawn from across the country, this podcast remains a valuable resource to bookmark and share among pump operators and water supply officers alike.
Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech.

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An investigation into a 2023 crash involving a Columbus (OH) fire truck has concluded that a firefighter was responsible for the chain of collisions that killed a pickup truck driver.

According to the report, firefighters were answering a call when dispatchers told them they were not needed and to return to the station, WBNS reports. That’s when they attempted to cross multiple lanes on I-270 near Hamilton Road to reach an emergency turnaround.

As the apparatus moved left, a sedan merged into the fire truck’s path, causing an initial collision. Moments later, while the fire truck was pulling to the far-right lane, a collision with a pickup truck occurred, killing its driver. The firefighter driving the truck served a brief sentence for involuntary manslaughter.

The investigative report found there was “nothing to necessitate” using the emergency turnaround and that driving to the next exit would have been safer.

The review also raised concerns about the internal handling of the case by Fire Chief Jeffrey Happ.

The investigation outlined four recommendations, including removing the fire department’s accident review committee from disciplinary decisions and retraining all chiefs to receive due-process training.

Columbus Public Safety Director Kate Bashadi told WBNS disciplinary charges against the chief are expected to be filed.

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Angelina Berube
The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.
(TNS)

NORTH ANDOVER — In a perfect world, the North Andover Fire Department’s new brush firefighting truck will never leave the station.

But the massive new Ford F-550 made its debut in the Santa Parade riding down Main Street Saturday, offering a glimpse to residents who lined the street the upgrades which the department has made to fight brush fires to better serve the community and help neighboring towns in the process.

Brush fires peak in April. Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley had an “anomaly year” for brush fires last year as a drought kicked off a very dry season in April 2024 and firefighting efforts continued through November, Acting fire Chief Graham Rowe said.

Last November, fire crews worked to contain a 150-acre brush fire at Sharpners Pond Road to keep the flames from the aggressive fire from spreading. The Massachusetts Air National Guard and crews from several Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine departments, as well as state agencies, helped to secure the fire. The same month a Middleton brush fire burned for weeks.

The department’s previous truck was sufficient to handle the fires, but the Ford F-350 was carrying minimal amounts of water and running out of water quickly as the brush fires were so expansive last year.

The experience responding to its own brush fires and aiding neighboring departments allowed North Andover firefighters to see what worked and didn’t when trying to contain the brush fires. They saw local departments which had larger apparatuses to go off road when fighting these brush fires, taking crews farther into the woods to get the fires under control.

Lt. Neil Patnaude said the focus was to also have its own “one-size-fits-all” truck capable of off-roading while carrying a significant amount of weight, both from water and equipment, which the department’s previous setup had lacked.

“We were able to identify a specific need and capitalize on available resources to build a truck that was capable off-road and able to assist moving personnel and crew deep into the woods,” Patnaude said.

With the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds, the brush truck cost $140,000. There was no financial impact to North Andover taxpayers. Costs were additionally lowered by capitalizing on borrowed equipment last year and hiring different companies to build it.

Rowe and Chief John Weir secured an emergency services grant through ARPA prior to last year’s brush fires as the department worked to upgrade infrastructure and equipment, with town officials’ approval. Rowe said with the numerous brush fires, the timing was right to use the funds to improve firefighting against brush fires with a truck able to go off road.

“We had the availability through ARPA funding to increase our ability to get out there and fight the brush fires,” Rowe said. “We were able to upgrade our equipment and are now able to better serve the community and neighboring communities in the mutual aid system like they did for us.”

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation donated a larger water tank and hose reel at no cost to North Andover Fire Department since they were state assets re-purposed for brush fires. Watts Water Technologies in North Andover is also helping with the truck’s valves.

The truck isn’t an ordinary pickup as it was customized with big, wide tires for ground clearance to go through the woods, over stumps and around rocks. Even with the customization, the truck retained its factory weight ratings.

Acting Deputy fire Chief Jeff Crosby was in charge of the truck’s emergency outfitting with li

The Chicago (IL) Fire Department battled a church fire on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2025.

Video by Tim Olk.

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