Read the features and news on fire trucks and fire equipment from the August 2022 issue of Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment magazine.

• Heavy Hydrant Hookups: Maximizing Hydrant Flows, Part 2
• Hauppauge (NY) Fire Department Responds with New Rescue 1 Rig

Editor’s Opinion Ed Ballam

Because I am who I am, I listen to the fire radio almost nonstop. I don’t know how my wife deals with it, but she does, and I try to be respectful as to not interfere with quiet or TV time or sleeping, but it’s on almost all the rest of the time.

I like listening to what other area departments are doing. You never know what you’ll hear. For instance, the other day I listened to a medical call dispatched for difficulty breathing—arguably one of the most common calls in the EMS arena. No big deal. But, as the dispatcher relays more information, this call becomes more serious. The dispatcher says, 65-year-old female, difficulty breathing. Adds, has fallen down a steep embankment Whoa … that’s a different call now. Maybe it’s a technical rescue or, at the very least, a far more challenging patient extrication.

• Ed Ballam | Better to Be Seen Than Viewed
• Ed Ballam | Catch the Electric Wave
• Ed Ballam | Are You Ready?
• Ed Ballam | What’s New from the FDIC International 2022 Show Floor
• Ed Ballam | Remembering Who Pays the Bills
• Ed Ballam | A Breath of Fresh Air
• Ed Ballam | Managing Resources
• Ed Ballam | Resolve to Keep Learning
• Ed Ballam | Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

More information follows. She landed in a bees’ nest and has been stung multiple times. That’s an interesting development—firefighter safety is now more involved than previously. Patient says she can’t get out of the embankment and thinks she is having an allergic reaction. Now this is a very real emergency.

You can’t make this stuff up. Well, you can, but it usually comes from the mind of a very creative instructor making up a teaching scenario that challenges students. This one, however, was real life. Think about how that escalated in seconds from a routine call to a potentially life-threatening event. And, just to satisfy everyone’s curiosity, the patient was extricated from down over the embankment, she was evaluated, and the EMTs on the scene got an informed refusal of care, or sign off, and there was no transport provided. No further treatment was needed. The firefighters with the rescue equipment cleared the scene as did the ambulance—returned to quarters in service. Phew. Mission accomplished and everyone went home.

I was listening to another call recently. Midday call for a smoke investigation, possibly from the roof of a structure, possibly from an outside fire in back of it. One of those who-knows-until-you-get-there calls. Turns out, it’s a three-alarm structure fire on Main Street in an historic building next to an even more historic church. Again, that escalated quickly, from a smoke investigation to a conflagration that destroyed an 1874, three-story brick schoolhouse building, com

Rosenbauer—Wheatfield (IN) Fire Department pumper/tanker. Freightliner M2 112 4-door cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous S100 1,500-gpm pump; ProPoly 3,000-gallon polypropylene water tank; 30-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 1600 Class A foam system; Elkhart wireless remote deck gun. Dealer: Todd Roempagel, Sentinel Emergency Solutions, St. Louis, MO.

PREVIOUS PHOTO OF THE DAY >>

MORE FIRE APPARATUS ARTICLES >>

A man was injured just after midnight after crashing his car into a fire station near 65th and Quivira in Shawnee (KS), KSHB.com reported.

According to the Shawnee Fire Department, the driver had a medical emergency and went to the fire station for help.

The car hit the building, damaging the building and door, the report said. The man was injured and taken to the hospital.

Another truck is available for the department to use to respond to calls. No other injuries were reported.

Demers Ambulances, Braun Ambulances, Crestline Coach, and Medix Specialty Vehicles (DBCM) is pleased to announce the addition of Kerri Walker to its executive leadership team as Vice President Commercial, U.S. division. A new role for the U.S. organization, Walker will oversee Product Management, Sales, Marketing, and After Market Services.

With 25 years in commercial and consumer markets, Walker brings robust expertise in various sectors including manufacturing and automotive. Walker most recently served as Vice President, Marketing for Truck Accessories Group, Inc. where she refocused the organization on consumer outreach and led various multi-brand strategies. She has a proven track record for increasing channel and online sales while improving overall engagement. Prior to Truck Accessories Group, Walker held progressive leadership roles with Supreme Corporation, Rinnai America, Exmark Manufacturing, Inc., and Chief Automotive Systems (a subsidiary of Dover). 

“This new position is pivotal for our organization and is focused on long-term growth,” says Kim Braun, President – U.S. Division. “We are confident Kerri’s comprehensive background and transformational leadership style, paired with her customer-driven focus, will effectively advance our organization to the next levels while continuing to deliver upon our unwavering commitment to be the partner of choice for our customers, partners, and employees.” 

Walker’s leadership is expected to provide elevated strength in market analytics, brand strategy, product & pricing analysis, and customer journey enrichments. Walker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in Political Science.

#

About Demers Braun Ambulance Manufacturer

Through its strong and diversified portfolio of brands – Demers, Braun, Crestline, and Medix- the Company operates eight production and service center sites across North America and employs a staff of ~1200. Each year, the combined sales position the company as the second-largest ambulance manufacturer in North America. Its offering of ambulance products ranges from the price-conscious value ambulance to the highly customized specialty vehicle. To learn more about how Demers, Braun, Crestline, and Medix can help you save more lives, visit Demers-Ambulances.com, BraunAmbulances.com, CrestlineCoach.com, and MedixAmbulance.com