CAMERON MARTINEZ
Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, Wash.
(TNS)

CONCRETE — Concrete Fire Chief Jaesen Meacham told his Town Council on Monday that his department’s Engine 2811 — a 1991 Darley Pumper — is beyond repair.

Because of the truck’s age, the fire department is unable to obtain parts for the truck.

Now the department only has Engine 2812, a 1989 Darley, but its engine hasn’t been tested and fire season is on the horizon.

Meacham’s temporary solution is to come up with an interlocal agreement with Skagit County Fire District 10 to borrow an engine.

District 10 covers areas along Highway 20, beginning east of Hamilton and extending to the Canadian border.

It also includes the region surrounding Highway 530, from its intersection with Highway 20 at Rockport south to the Suiattle River.

“I’m going to get District 10’s backup engine into our station and I’m going to get my people trained up on that as quick as I can so we have an engine,” Meacham said.

In the meantime, he wants to look at purchasing two new fire trucks — a 2025 US Fire Apparatus Freightliner Commercial Pumper and a 2025 Deep South International Commercial Pumper.

According to the council meeting packet, the trucks cost $483,000 and $329,000, respectively.

Meacham said ideally the department would get a new engine in six months. However, he said it was more likely that it would take more than a year.

“If we find a cheaper engine that somebody’s selling that’s been produced, we’re buying someone else’s problems,” Meacham said. “I’ve already dumped a bunch of money trying to save our engine, and I’m at a point now where it’s unsavable.”

Mayor Marla Reed said the town will look into grants to obtain a new truck, but in the meantime she agreed that an interlocal agreement with Fire District 10 was the best option.

“An interlocal would be basically an agreement to provide services, and so we would share equipment,” Reed said. “There would be a cost, but it wouldn’t be more than what we’re already budgeting for the fire department.”

Reed agreed to draft an interlocal agreement to send to District 10.

Concrete’s next Town Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 27. For more information, visit townofconcrete.com.

© 2025 the Skagit Valley Herald (Mount Vernon, Wash.). Visit www.goskagit.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Portable water tanks are the substitute for hydrant systems in rural and some suburban areas without pressurized water hydrants. Responding to fire department needs and requests, portable water tank manufacturers have developed a variety of products crafted with features that departments have come to rely on for water transfer and supply.

Jay Claeys, president of Husky Portable Containment, says Husky makes a number of portable water tank models, with its core product being square folding frame tanks. “We make them in sizes from 500 gallons to 5,0 gallons, but the most popular sizes are in the 2,100- to 3,000-gallon range,” Claeys notes. “We make the tanks with either steel or aluminum frames, with aluminum frames having radiused corn ers to prevent abrasion of the ropes and making up about 80% of sales.”

Claeys says that Husky offers three types of tank liners, with the standard version having 22-ounce vinyl sidewalls and a 28-ounce vinyl floor; a heavier model that has 30-ounce sidewalls and floor; and an Ultimate liner made of Exlon™, a 22-ounce-per-square-yard material. “Our patent pending manufacturing process allows us to use one continuous piece of material for the side panel, which is then welded to our Husky_®-Duty floor material,” he points out. “We also install solid brass grommets in a tight pattern that alleviates any liner drooping at the frame.”

1 A Husky Portable Containment square folding frame water tank is being used by the Horicon (NY) Volunteer Fire Department. (Photos 1-2 courtesy of Husky Portable Containment.)

2 The quick dump gate on the side of this Husky tank allows the tank to be drained in 30 seconds.

3 A tanker dumps into one of two FOL-DA-TANK single-lane tanks. (Photos 3-4 courtesy of FOL-DA-TANK.)

4 The FOL-DA-TANK in the foreground is outfitted with a low-level strainer.

Husky’s folding water tanks include patented Easy Lift Handles, Claeys says, which are grab handles welded to the floor of the tank in a zigzag fashion and also a Quick-Release dump gate on the side of the tank, where releasing two D rings and a flip latch allows the tank to drain in under 30 seconds.

Claeys says Husky also makes a Skinny Tank™ between 8 and 9 feet wide and 14 to 17 feet long that is often used on a two-lane road with a ditch on either side so it can be set up in one lane for drafting and leave the second lane open for traffic as well as Leading Edge Tanks®, 1,500- to 3,500-gallon units that range from 10 feet 3 inches square to 14 feet 3 inches square with additional hinges that allow each tank to fold to 8 feet wide and its respective length. All Husky portable water tanks can be fitted with a drafting flange kit flange that bolts to the frame with a male connection inside the tank for a low-level strainer and a female fitting outside the tank for a hard suction.

Husky also makes Helicopter Tanks in 72- and 134-gallon models that are 40-ounce reinforced PVC, Aluminum Quick Assemble AQUA tanks from 100 to 3,000 gallons that snap together quickly and fit in a bag for compact storage and SelfSupporting water tanks, commonly call

By Brandi Makuski

A group of local donors presented $20,000 in donations to the Plover Fire Department on May 13.

The funds cover a large portion of about $36,000 worth of new battery-powered rescue tools that firefighters say will significantly improve response capabilities during emergencies.

The donation funded the purchase of a battery-powered spreader, cutter, and ram – equipment used to free victims trapped in vehicles and machinery – replacing older hydraulic models that require more time and equipment to deploy.

Fire Chief Mark Deaver said the tools will make a meaningful difference for both first responders and those they serve.

“These are the types of tools that allow us to get people out faster,” Deaver said. “Without donations like this, we can’t get the cool tools that are going to help us rescue people and do what we need to do. They’re not cheap.”

The donation came from five community organizations: Duraclean, McCain Foods, Paper City Savings Bank, the Plover Fire Auxiliary, and the Plover Pine Village & Plover Meadows Mobile Home Community.

For more on this story, please go to spmetrowire.com.

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The Austin (TX) Fire Department recently took delivery of a new Spartan 107-foot HD rearmount aerial (RMA), Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists said in a Facebook post. This RMA features a unique outrigger design that allows full operational capability on a 12-percent grade.

𝗥𝗠𝗔 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

• Spartan Gladiator LFD 10″ RR Chassis with 10″ Trench
• Cummins X15 605 HP Engine
• Allison 4500 EVS Transmission
• Harrison 10kW MCR Generator
• 1/8″ Aluminum Body
• 413 Cubic Feet of Compartment Space

View the full gallery and drawing here: https://mfas.com/gallery/trucks/austin-ladder-22.

“Station 22 just received a brand new ladder truck, and the crew marked the occasion by continuing a time honored tradition of pushing the rig into the bay,” the Austin Fire Department said in a Facebook post.

The post Austin (TX) FD Holds Push-In for New 107-Foot Ladder Truck appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.)
(TNS)

A 35-year Mesa firefighter died on duty last week, it was announced.

Mark Keller, 62, who lived in Gilbert, was found dead the morning of May 6. Details of his death were not released.

“My heart is with the Keller family in this difficult time,” said Fire Chief Mary Cameli in a news release. “We are deeply saddened by the loss.”

According to the department, Keller began his career with Mesa Fire and Rescue in 1990.

His funeral is at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at Mission Community Church, 4450 E. Elliot Road, Gilbert.

Keller’s death hit home for Mayor Mark Freeman, a firefighter who worked with him.

“As a retired Mesa Fire captain paramedic, Mark and I served together for many years, and I had the privilege of witnessing his dedication to our community firsthand,” Freeman said. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Keller family, his crew and all members of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department. Mark’s legacy will continue to inspire us all.”

A day after Keller’s passing hundreds of tributes and condolences had already poured into the department’s Facebook page and other social media platforms.

Keller was well-liked by all and described as jovial and supportive.

“This breaks my heart,” wrote Joleen Stonebraker Stratton. “We met him last summer when he responded to our 911 call when my son was choking on food.

“He was the nicest person. At the hospital he invited us to come see him at the fire station that coming weekend.

“We went there and he gave us a tour. We were so grateful for his help on one of our scariest days.”

Steve Petronsky called Keller a “good-hearted man” who will be missed dearly.

“Mark and his team responded and helped give my mom another five years with us,” Petronsky said.

Daniel Pouliot said that some of his fondest memories during his short tenure with Mesa Fire “were roving into and being tempted with Mark and the crews at Station 206.”

“The brotherhood feeling was strong there at that time,” Pouliot said.” As I see how many posts and pictures are being shared, it really speaks to the type of man, friend and firefighter he was. I am really shocked and saddened to receive this news but it was a privilege to get to know him, laugh with him and work alongside him. Rest in peace Mark”

Andrew Hill said he was fortunate enough to have run a handful of 911 calls with Keller. “Mark was such a nice human, very kind, sincere and cared for his patients and his community,” he said.

Mike Aagaard, a fellow long-time firefighter, said, “You will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Your love for the job and passing on all your knowledge on to the younger generation says the type of person you were. You were one of the best. We’ll take it from here, my friend.”

© 2025 East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.). Visit www.eastvalleytribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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