Tankers/tenders account for many of the apparatus crashes that occur. Although there are a variety of reasons for the incidents, some people have suggested that they should not “respond lights and sirens.” This month, we asked Bill Adams and Ricky Riley, “Should tankers/tenders be driven at emergency speed?”

Define Emergency Speed First!

BY BILL ADAMS

Recent fire apparatus accidents including those involving tankers/tenders are no doubt the impetus for this question. I thought this could be easily answered: “Depending on road conditions and weather, common sense should be used when driving any emergency vehicle including tenders/tankers at emergency speeds.”

Common sense, aka good judgment, is hard to define. Exercising good judgment is hard to prove in scenarios resulting in damage, disciplinary action, or litigation. Additionally, there is no single definition for the term emergency speed.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1900, Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles, Automotive Fire Apparatus, Wildland Fire Apparatus, and Automotive Ambulances, in Chapter 3 Definitions, Section 3.3.176 Mobile Water Supply Apparatus (Tanker, Tender) defines this apparatus as: “A vehicle designed primarily for transporting (pickup, transporting, and delivering) water to fire emergency scenes to be applied by other vehicles or pumping equipment.” Obscuring the issue is that the NFPA does not establish the requirements for one.

Accidents, more appropriately called incidents, are not solely caused by excessive speed. Besides operator error, there could be sudden unforeseeable mechanical issues with the vehicle, unexpected failure of the roadway, or other motorists’ actions. All three can affect the emergency vehicle operator’s reaction.

TRAINING

Emergency vehicle operator (aka chauffeur and driver) error can be attributed to the lack of common sense, negligence, or improper or lack of training. Proper training is essential, and I defer to fellow writer Ricky Riley, whose byline includes being president of Training Traditions, LLC. It is also addressed in Chapter 10 of the former NFPA 1002, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator, which was recently incorporated into NFPA 1010, Standard on Professional Qualifications for Firefighters.

LIABILITY EXPOSURE

I’ll address the question from the perspective of NFPA 1900. Why? If an accident or incident occurs where liability and legal charges are possible, the fire department may find itself defending—under oath—the apparatus involved. Did you purchase the proper apparatus?

Visualize after an incident with your apparatus operator being questioned by law enforcement or testifying in court and being asked questions such as the following: Do you know what a tanker/tender is? Is there a maximum amount of water it should be carrying? What was your vehicle classified as? Is there a maximum speed your vehicle is limited to? Was your vehicle designed to be operated off-road? Is there a difference in road handling characteristics between oval, semielliptical, and square water tanks? Do you know what the fire service rating means on the tires on your vehicle? Common sense or a lack thereof might not help you.

NFPA 1900

The following are my interpretations of NFPA 1900. Remember, it is the written word that counts.

• NFPA 1900 Table 8.1 Requirements by Apparatus Type specifies a minimum 1,000-gallon tank capacity (including all suppression liquids such as foam and water) on mobile water supply apparatus.
• NFPA 1900 does not mandate specific tank configurations for “large” water tanks on mobile water supply apparatus. Although it does require specific accoutrements for tanks larger than

Last week, the U.S. government reopened after a 43-day shutdown. Three federal funding bills for fiscal year 2026 were included in the package to reopen the government, along with two requests for Community Project Funding from U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) that will help first responders in Eastern Kentucky, according to a press release. 

Rogers requested more than $3 million for a new Louisa Fire Department and Emergency Facility and nearly $4 million for the new Pikeville Police Department. The funding was passed and signed into law on Wednesday as well. 

“Our rural first responders need federal, state and local support to make ends meet. I was honored to secure additional funding for the Pikeville Police Department and the Louisa Fire Department to help them expand services and upgrade their facilities to better serve the people of Eastern Kentucky,” said Rogers. “I’m grateful for our brave first responders and proud to support the competitive projects that these two departments submitted for funding in our region.” 

The new fire and emergency operations facility in Lawrence County is estimated to take up to two years for construction with a projected cost totaling $4.2 million. 

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to Congressman Hal Rogers for his strong support and advocacy that helped secure funding for the construction of our new Emergency Communications Response Center. This facility will bring together our Fire Department, Police Department, and Communications Center under one roof — with room for future EMS operations as well. This is a major step forward in improving public safety, emergency response coordination, and service to our citizens. I want to thank all those who helped make this project possible and for their continued commitment to keeping our community safe,” said Harold Slone, Mayor of Louisa.

The estimated cost for the new Pikeville Police Department is $5 million with design and construction expected to take two years. 

“The city of Pikeville is extremely excited and thankful to the Congressman for his work in getting funding for the new Police Station. This new station is greatly needed as we have outgrown our current facility that is over 30 years old and originally designed for 12 officers. There are now 25 officers in the same location. This new facility will have the ability to expand and grow with the cities needs and growth and will drastically improve public safety,” said Jimmy Carter, Mayor of Pikeville.

Congressman Rogers submitted the maximum of 15 Community Project Funding requests totaling nearly $150 million for southern and eastern Kentucky. As Congress continues their work to pass the nine remaining federal funding bills for fiscal year 2026, Congressman Rogers is hopeful that the remaining earmarks will pass the finish line as well. 

• Click here a full list of the projects that Congressman Rogers has requested funding for.

The post More Than $7M in Federal Funding Secured for First Responders in Eastern KY appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The Tonawanda (NY) Fire Department received state funds for equipment and building upgrades, New York State Assemblyman Bill Conrad announced recently.

A portion of the $250,000 grant covered the purchase of 30 new Motorola APX 6000 portable radios for fire personnel, as well as renovations for the bunk room and shower spaces of the William Street headquarters, enhancements to two of the city’s volunteer fire companies’ kitchens and more, spectrumlocalnews.com reported.

“I secured $250,000 for the city of Tonawanda Fire Department‘s capital needs: all new radios to help firefighters work more safely and effectively, remodeled accommodations to enhance privacy for women firefighters, and updates to kitchen equipment,” Conrad said in a Facebook post.

“Chief Joe Briggs and his firefighters are a precious asset here in the city of Tonawanda, where residents can rely on their rapid, skilled responses in all manner of emergencies,” the post said. “It is with this acknowledgement and gratitude that I feel privileged every day to help support our first responders.”

The post Tonawanda (NY) FD Receives $250K State Grant for equipment, building upgrades appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

A driver plowed into an Indianapolis Fire Department vehicle responding on a run Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, the department said in a press release.

The incident at 38th and Georgetown Road occurred as two IFD vehicles (EDON and BC07) were approaching from the east on 38th Street, headed to a working fire at 3201 Voight Drive.

The red EDO vehicle was preparing to turn left (south) onto Georgetown Road and cleared the intersection. All westbound lanes were at a stop. The officer/driver of the IFD vehicle was running emergent with red lights and sirens activated.

The woman, 26, driving a Toyota Camry, was headed east on 38th and went through the lanes of stopped traffic at a high rate of speed.  She continued into the intersection and connected with the EDO vehicle at the passenger side rear panel.  

The impact vaulted the EDO vehicle into the air and spun it 180-degrees. It landed on the windshield of a Ford Fusion, sitting at the light on Georgetown Road, impacting directly above the steering wheel.  The 18-year-old male driver in the Fusion was unhurt but understandably frightened. 

The incident was witnessed by an Indianapolis Metro police officer, who was stopped a the light, and by IFD BC7, who was behind the EDO, also running red lights and sirens.

The woman was transported to Eskenazi Hospital with slight injuries.

The IFD officer driving the EDO (EMS duty officer) vehicle was given a preliminary breath test on scene (per protocol) and it registered a 00.00. He was checked at the scene and released. He was wearing a seatbelt. 

IMPD is investigating.  

IFD units arrived to the residence fire on Voight at 1:20 PM and found smoke showing from a single-story residence. Heavy involvement to the garage area with hoarder conditions inside. The fire was ma

The Kern County Fire Department is the recipient of a $90,500 grant to purchase new extrication equipment, the department said in a press release.

Kern County was awarded the grant from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for new emergency response equipment.

Known as the HURST “Jaws of Life,” firefighters use these specialized tools to safely rescue crash victims trapped inside a vehicle. Delays in providing care to crash victims negatively impacts the “golden hour” of survival, a core principle in the emergency medical services industry.

Reducing the time it takes to get to the patient, treat what can be treated, and transport the patient to the hospital helps increase the chance for recovery.

“The acquisition of new tools and training directly enhances our ability to protect the community,” said Chief Aaron Duncan. “The investments we are able to make, through the use of OTS grant funds, strengthens the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of our firefighters in the field.”

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The post Kern County (CA) FD Awarded Grant for Extrication Equipment appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.