In this episode of Moving Water, Chris Mc Loone, Andy Soccodato, and Bill Adkins discuss preventive maintenance on water delivery equipment. From manifold appliances and nozzles to intake valves and tanker dump valves, the conversation lays out practical advice for keeping your apparatus fully operational. Here are some insights.

Saccedato emphasizes how vital it is to “exercise” valves—both internal and external intake valves—by routinely opening and closing them. This simple step prevents them from freezing or sticking due to lack of use. Many departments allow reserve rigs or seldom-used units to sit without functioning these critical components, which leads to stubborn, unreliable valves on the next call.

Nozzles also deserve attention. Soccodato says, “Regular maintenance should involve cleaning nozzles in soapy water, exercising the bales, and lubricating moving parts at least monthly. For combination fog nozzles exposed on bumpers or tailboards, this upkeep prevents clogs from road grime or debris. Adkins adds that training on proper disassembly and reassembly is essential; improper handling can cause operational failures at critical moments.

For tanker crews, the maintenance spectrum extends to dump valves. They caution that, in modern rigs using pneumatic or electric systems to operate dump chutes, regular exercising of these systems is even more critical. Failure to keep these components operational can leave a tanker unable to offload vital water supply during an incident, significantly hampering scene operations.

One of the lesser-known tips shared on the podcast concerns “front flushing” your pump. Unlike the common practice of back flushing, front flushing involves capping off discharges and pre-connects, then opening the tank-to-pump valve and discharge valve along with the drain valve to force water through the drain tubes and valves.

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A pickup truck crashed head-on into a Warwick (RI) Fire Department ladder truck early Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, wpri.com reported.

Firefighters were responding to a separate crash on West Shore Road at Sandy Lane when the pickup truck and the ladder truck collided.

No firefighters were hurt and the pickup driver’s condition was unknown at the time of the report, the report said.

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PORT ARTHUR, Texas (Oct. 1, 2025) — Williams Fire & Hazard Control, a global leader in industrial firefighting solutions, is proud to announce a new strategic distribution partnership with KASE Pumping Systems. In this new role, Williams will serve as the exclusive worldwide distributor of KASE’s advanced line of pumping systems within the fire protection and emergency response markets.

This strategic partnership expands Williams’ portfolio with the innovative KASE Otter and Otter Mini, along with additional KASE technologies designed to enhance firefighter safety, efficiency, and operational performance.

“Williams Fire & Hazard Control has a long tradition of bringing innovative solutions to emergency responders around the world,” said Lindsey Boren, Global Director of Sales & Marketing, Williams Fire & Hazard Control. “We’ve worked closely with KASE for several years, using their submersible units in our DependaPower® Submersible Pumps. This new partnership allows us to further expand that collaboration and deliver KASE’s proven solutions to a wider global audience.”

KASE Pumping Systems, recognized for its cutting-edge composite engineering and innovative product designs, shares Williams’ commitment to supporting firefighters and emergency crews with reliable, field-proven tools. Together, the two companies will provide a global platform to introduce KASE’s fluid products into critical operations where performance and trust matter most.

As part of this launch, Williams will showcase the Otter, Otter Mini, and other KASE solutions at two of the industry’s most prominent trade shows: FDIC International 2026 (Indianapolis, IN) and Interschutz 2026 (Hannover, Germany).

About Williams Fire & Hazard Control
Williams Fire & Hazard Control is a global leader in firefighting technology, manufacturing, training, and response services. With decades of proven expertise in industrial, municipal, and emergency response environments, Williams designs and manufactures advanced firefighting hardware and equipment, including the DependaPower® Submersible Pump, delivering innovative solutions trusted by responders worldwide.

About KASE Pumping Systems
KASE designs and manufactures high-performance composite fluid products for the fire protection and emergency response industries. Known for its material innovation and durability, KASE develops solutions that enhance operational safety and reliability for professionals worldwide.

The post Williams Fire & Hazard Control Named Global Distributor for KASE Pumping Systems appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

FDNY firefighter Patrick Brady, 42, died Saturday night while battling an all-hands apartment fire in Brooklyn, city officials confirmed.

Brady, an 11-year veteran of the department, went into cardiac arrest while working on the roof of a six-story apartment building on Kings Highway in Brownsville around 9:38 p.m., according to FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker.

He was treated at the scene and later pronounced dead at Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center.

Brady was a member of Ladder 120 and had previously served with Engine 227 after joining the FDNY in 2014. He was part of a proud firefighting family, his brothers, cousin, and uncle are all current or retired members of the department, the department said.

Early Sunday morning, more than 250 firefighters gathered outside Brookdale Hospital for a dignified transfer, saluting as Brady’s flag-draped body was carried out.

Brady’s death marks the second FDNY line-of-duty loss in two weeks, following the passing of Paramedic Salih Abdur Rahman on Oct. 29.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Funeral arrangements are pending.

The post FDNY Firefighter Dies Battling Brooklyn Apartment Fire appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office announced recently that fire departments across the state are beginning the transition to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS)—a secure, cloud-based platform built to modernize how emergency incidents are reported and analyzed.

Departments across the country are onboarding to NERIS as part of a phased national rollout led by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes.

NERIS is replacing the 40-year-old National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), to provide local agencies with timely data tools, location-based analytics, and flexible options for incident reporting—at no cost to departments.

“Modernizing emergency data collection is a critical step toward strengthening public safety,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow. “By adopting NERIS, we are giving our departments better tools to protect our communities, manage resources effectively, and make informed decisions backed by current data. This program will also help to enhance CRR programs across the state with real-time data allowing departments to analyze trends in a more efficient and effective way through data dashboards.”

Key features of NERIS include:

• Zero-cost access for all public fire and EMS agencies
• Local data ownership, giving departments full control of their records
• GIS-based reporting for location-specific insights and planning
• Actionable dashboards for operational awareness and performance tracking
• Streamlined onboarding with help desk support and training tools

Departments may begin the onboarding process today and will be contacted directly by email within the next few weeks to start the onboarding process. If your department does not receive an email, you can start the process by visiting the NERIS website. The process includes account setup, administrator access, and records management system (RMS) integration, if applicable.

“NERIS is purpose-built for today’s fire service,” said Steve Kerber, Executive Director of FSRI. “It’s based on research and feedback from the field, and it delivers actionable information that improves emergency response and supports long-term planning and resourcing at the local, state, and national levels.”

The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office encourages all departments to complete onboarding as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition. The current national data platform, NFIRS, will be formally decommissioned on January 1, 2026. For additional questions or technical support, departments can contact the NERIS Help Desk or Lindsey Padget at the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office 217-670-4300 or by email Lindsey.A.Padget@illinois.gov.

About NERIS – The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is the new all-hazards reporting platform for U.S. fire and emergency services. Developed through a federal public-private partnership with input from departments nationwide, NERIS delivers modern tools to streamline reporting, improve data quality, and support community risk reduction. By tracking operational trends, resource use, and incident outcomes, NERIS advances data-informed approaches to emergency response and resource allocation.

About FSRI – The Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, advances fire safety knowledge to address the world’s unresolved fire safety risks and emerging dangers. As part of UL Research Institutes, we are committed to sharing our fire safety insights with everyone to advance UL’s public safety mission of providing safe liv