The unprecedented increases of firefighting equipment, apparatus, and facilities costs over the past few years have challenged many fire chiefs to figure out new ways to acquire funding for vital resources.

Many municipal budgets throughout the United States haven’t kept up with the record inflation rates, and this is especially true in states that maintain property tax caps. Even fire departments that had proactively saved and contributed to dedicated equipment/apparatus funds have suddenly discovered their contributions no longer cover the escalated costs.

With the increased costs negatively affecting many fire departments’ budgets, many fire chiefs have turned to grant funding in an attempt to obtain funds for apparatus, equipment, and facilities. While most fire chiefs are familiar with the annual FEMA Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG), there are many other public and private sector grants that can also be used to offset costs. While grant application requirements can vary from program to program, familiarity with the following grant considerations can assist the fire chief in developing a successful grant proposal.

PLANNING AND PREPARATION

Given the detailed requirements of many grant programs, it is crucial that chiefs begin preparing for a grant opportunity as early as possible. Preparing for an eventual grant application well in advance gives the chief the chance to properly research and develop a comprehensive grant strategy that will be important when preparing to make a quality case for funding.

Many successful grant writers begin their preparation by constructing a timeline that includes time allocated to all of the crucial parts of the grant writing process from conducting research and collecting information through submitting the grant application. It is important to include time for key components of the grant process such as conducting proper research, developing a budget, obtaining approvals from applicable authorities, constructing the draft, and leaving time for reviewing and editing the application prior to submission. Each component should be assigned as generous an amount of time as possible, which will help when one or more components take longer than expected.

Developing a grant checklist can also be a useful tool for the fire chief. Constructing a checklist that includes all requirements of the local governance system as well as the requirements of the applicable grant will assist in ensuring all requirements have been fulfilled. Having a visual checklist can aid the fire chief in ensuring that progress is being made and that no required component is missed. Proactively developing a grant checklist not only helps keep the project on track but can also greatly reduce the stress that comes with last-minute submissions.

Diligently reviewing all grant documents is extremely important. You usually can gain a thorough understanding of the grant by reading the Notice of Funding documents. Thoroughly review these documents, make notes, and seek out answers to any questions that come up in their review. Far too often, grant applications fail because the applicants did not spend enough time researching the grant program requirements and priorities.

Additional best practices in the preparation and planning phase include the following:

• Maintain a collection of commonly requested data and demographic information that are common among many grant programs.
• Regularly examine and scrub your data collection process and datasets to ensure accuracy.
• Plan to complete the grant application draft one week prior to the submission date. This will allow you to address any unforeseen concerns with the application.
• Plan to submit the grant at least 24 hours before the deadline. This ensures that you can rectify any technical issues with the el

As a result of continual progressive hazards, including increased wildfire threats throughout all of California, the County of Riverside, partner cities, and CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department introduce a fleet upgrade and expansion, the county said in a press release.

The new fleet includes 18 Type I Engines for firefighting, six Squads equipped to support a variety of responses including rescues, three Type VI/Patrols outfitted for quick attack on smaller fires, two Quints for water pumping and ladder needs, one Tractor Drawn Aerial Fire Truck, one Breathing Support Unit, one Hazardous Materials Unit, and one Excavator, a first in our fleet, to assist with mulch fires. Many of the new apparatus have already arrived, with the remaining apparatus joining our fleet by the end of 2025.

The investment replaces aging apparatus with modern models outfitted with the latest technology and innovations, while also adding new resources, demonstrating our commitment to enhancing public safety and meeting emerging community needs.

These additions reflect the mission of the department to protect life, property and the environment through professionalism, integrity, and efficiency.

The post CAL FIRE and Riverside County FD Upgrade Fire Apparatus Fleet appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

It’s hard to get old and even harder to get slam-dunked by your peers several times in a single month. I was working on an article the other day that mentioned a fire department running three in-service pumpers and a reserve pumper. One of the in-service rigs is a year old and the other two are 16 and 53 years old. The reserve is 36 years old. Never missing a chance to agitate, I had to harass the chief who I’ve known for many years. He’s not old enough to collect Social Security, but he was still fair game for my email: “That thing belongs in a museum. Its 17 years older than your reserve rig.”

He fired right back: “It’s because of versatility. It’s in real good shape after the 1985 rehab. It has a shorter wheelbase and is more maneuverable than the other pumpers. You know our district has narrow rural driveways that are difficult to navigate for the larger trucks. We have farm ponds we can draft from that other apparatus cannot get to. The rig’s overall reliability is also a factor. And, something you old timers can’t relate to is that the rig is not as big and intimidating to both young drivers and older ones like you.”

Well, that was quite the beat down. I didn’t bother replying so he sent another e-mail: “Don’t you remember, you sold us that reserve pumper when it was new? Oh, that’s right – 36 years ago is a long time for old people to remember things.” He won.

Accident Prevention

One morning several Raisin Squad members were having coffee at the picnic table by the station’s kitchen door when a car sped by with a young driver jabbering on a cell phone. It started open season on young people. That kid didn’t realize that three of us old-timers just verbally beat the hell out of him. One white hair said if he gets a ticket for it, mommy and daddy will just pay the fine. I said the problem would be solved if the cop (Constable on Patrol) confiscated his phone and told him he might get it back when he appears in court. One Raisin took the wind out of my sails by saying that could work but it’s probably illegal.

Another said, “If you’re so damn smart, what’s your solution for vehicles ramming the back of fire trucks stopped on the highway?” That should’ve been an easy one. I ventured that in addition to whatever penalties existing laws may have, a new law should be passed that the driver of the vehicle that hits a parked fire truck should personally be financially responsible for the repair or replacement of the apparatus. Put him in the poor house. And if he can’t pay, let his or her insurance company be responsible to pay. There should be a non-negotiable mandatory five-year prison sentence for hitting a rig and 10 years if there’s an injury to a first responder. They jumped all over me like it was my fault: “That’s impossible to pass. You have a better chance of seeing the Good Lord do a back flip under the red light down at the four corners.”

“You oughta stick to remembering stuff that happened before your hair turned white.” Ouch.

Cookie Crumb?

This tale not too many people can recall. I only remembered it because of reading a recent article where two fire departments amicably moved into a single fire station. One of the slang definitions of short-sightedness is when people have “a lack of foresight or poor judgment, particularly when actions are taken without considering long-term consequences.”

Names are omitted to protected the innocent and those possibly guilty. A long time ago, two independent fire departments were contracted to provide fire protection in adjoining areas of the same town. When one proposed building a second fire station close to the common border of the other, they got into an ugly squabble over a possible loss of territory. The dispute became real nasty and ended up in the media. The town supervisor had heard enough and fi

Check out this view from the tiller operator (driver of the back of a ladder truck) as the Asheville Fire Department responds to a fire call recently, the department posted on Facebook recently.

As you can see it’s often tight spaces tiller trucks have to maneuver. Passenger vehicles should always remember to move safely to the right side of the road to allow fire trucks to get to a scene as quickly as possible, the department said.

The post WATCH | Asheville (NC) FD Tiller Responds to Fire Call appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The city of Santa Barbara announced in a press release the recent acquisition of a new Pierce Arrow XT Aerial Ladder Truck for the Santa Barbara Fire Department, significantly enhancing the department’s emergency response capabilities and long-term service readiness.

The newly acquired ladder truck is equipped with a 107-foot aerial ladder, enabling firefighters to safely and effectively reach the upper floors of multi-story buildings for rescue and fire suppression operations, making it a versatile tool for both urban firefighting and technical rescue scenarios.

Designed with modern safety features, enhanced lighting, and greater storage capacity for tools and equipment, this new addition ensures the department remains equipped to meet the evolving needs of the community.

The Santa Barbara Fire Department invites members of the media and the public to attend a special unveiling ceremony on Friday, July 25, at Fire Station 1. The event will include the traditional “roll-in” ceremony, where the new apparatus is ceremoniously pushed into the firehouse by hand, honoring a long-standing fire service tradition dating back to the days of horse-drawn engines. This will be a unique opportunity for the community to see the new truck up close, meet the firefighters who will operate it, and celebrate a major investment in public safety.

Ladder Truck Unveiling Ceremony

• Friday, July 25, 2025
• 10-11 a.m.
• Fire Station 1 (121 West Carrillo Street)

The ladder truck was secured through a fiscally sound lease-to-own agreement, allowing the City to pay for the vehicle over a seven-year term that was initiated in 2022 and will finalize in 2029 for a total vehicle cost of $1,620,796. This strategic investment ensures financial flexibility while delivering essential public safety improvements today. A total of four fire apparatus were purchased under this lease-to-own program.

Fire Chief Chris Mailes emphasized the importance of the purchase, stating, “This ladder truck is a critical addition to our fleet. It enhances our ability to respond to emergencies quickly and safely. This investment reflects our commitment to protect Santa Barbara residents and visitors with the best tools and technology available.”

The ladder truck will be housed at Fire Station 1 (121 W. Carrillo Street), where it will provide citywide coverage and support for structure fires, rescues, and mutual aid requests.

With proper care and maintenance, the new ladder truck is expected to serve our community for the next 25 years, supporting generations of firefighters and residents. 

Founded in 1881, the Santa Barbara Fire Department operates eight fire stations and serves the city with a dedicated team of highly trained personnel. 

SBFD responds to more than 12,000 calls per year, providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, and disaster preparedness support.

Specifications

Chassis	Arrow XT™
Body	Ascendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Tiller Aerial Ladder
Actual Overall Height	11′ 2.5″
Engine	Cummins X15
Horsepower	605 hp
Front Suspension	TAK-4® Independent Front Suspension
Rear Suspension	Air
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