For the first time in its history, CAL Fire is flying night-time air attacks with its own crew and equipment, thanks to its new Sikorsky S-70i FIREHAWK helicopters, ABC10 reported September 27.

E-ONE—Papillion (NE) Fire Department two pumpers. Typhoon long cabs and chassis; Cummins X12 500-hp engines; Waterous CSU 1,750-gpm pumps; 780-gallon polypropylene water tanks. Dealer: Greg Stofer, North Central Emergency Vehicles, Lincoln, NE.

PREVIOUS PHOTO OF THE DAY >>

MORE FIRE APPARATUS ARTICLES >>

The city of Poughkeepsie Fire Department has taken delivery of its new rigid-hull inflatable rescue boat purchased under a Dutchess County grant, MidHudsonNews.com reported. 

The new vessel, “Marine 2,” replaces the department’s 1985 Boston Whaler, stored at the Clover Street station, the report said.

The boat, trailer and ancillary equipment were bought from Defender Industries in Connecticut.

The 14-foot-long craft, powered by a 40-horsepower Honda engine, is capable of being deployed by trailer in minutes, with two firefighters to perform rescue operations on the Hudson River and other waters where it is needed, the report said.

The vessel cost approximately $21,000 outfitted with all of the necessary gear, and was paid for with funds received under the Dutchess County Municipal Investment Grant (MIG), according to the report. The Poughkeepsie Fire Department received $40,600 through Dutchess County’s Municipal Investment Grant (MIG) program earlier this year. Approximately $21,000 was spent on the new boat, trailer, and equipment. 

The remaining funds are earmarked to purchase an off-road vehicle and equipment to respond to calls on the department’s section of the Dutchess County Rail Trail as well as the Urban Rail Trail being constructed in the city, the report said. 

Almost $4.2 million of FEMA funds were delivered to firehouses across the Commonwealth as part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, Local21News.com reported.

Of the millions of dollars granted to Pennsylvania fire departments, Franklin County’s Fannett Metal Fire and Ambulance Company received over $20,000 in grant funds, the report said.

The fire official said the grant will help improve services within their fire department and EMS services, including buying a new engine that’s coming in 2023, upgrading the rope equipment on it, getting a grain bin rescue, and a new mannequin that’s life-like, the report said.

Brendletown Fire and Rescue celebrated its new fire engine with a push-in ceremony at the fire station on Bennett Road on September 12, Morgantown.com reported.

The new fire truck has a larger pump and can hold more water (1,500-gallon-per-minute pump, and has 1,900 gallons of water on it) than the department’s other apparatuses, a fire official said.

During the push-in ceremony, firefighters pushed the apparatus into the fire station the way they would’ve done in the early days of firefighting.