Firefighting is in Katie Jo Benitz’s blood. Ever since she grew up with her mother fighting fires and doing EMS, when she graduated high school in 2021, she said she had to try it out. To run into her mom at the Cow Canyon fire, she said, was a very special moment for both of them. “I didn’t want to push her into something that she wasn’t truly passionate about, you know, just because it’s right for me.
- PUB DATE: 8/12/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: YakTriNews

Spokane County Fire District No.3 is reporting a fire burning around Bonnie Lake. The fire was first reported on Thursday afternoon and is currently burning approximately 30 acres. According to Spokane County Fire District No.3, Level 2 Evacuations are in place for all homes along Long Road from Rock Lake to the southern border across to Blackman Road, along Texas Ferry and to the north of Cheney Plaza.
- PUB DATE: 8/12/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

The Pasco Fire Department has designed a new logo for Station 82, which is near the Tri-Cities Airport. Station 82 is home to an engine, a medic unit, a tactical tender and two ARFF trucks. The new logo features multiple homages to the rich history of the airport. In World War II, the airport was the Naval Air Station Pasco.
- PUB DATE: 8/11/2022 9:57:00 PM - SOURCE: KNDO-TV NBC 23 Yakima

A $4 million facelift and upgrade was given to the Lathrop Manteca (CA) District fire station which was recently reopened, according to a report published by the Manteca-Ripton Bulletin.

According to the report, the station was given separate bunk space to allow for gender diversity, and overhaul to the exterior of the building, the replacement of a grass lawn in front of the building with drought-tolerant landscaping an a new alerting system.

The building was also upgraded with a “clean area” to prevent firefighter turnout gear from contaminating living areas and an exhaust evacuation system, according to the report, that also added the project took longer than expected to complete because of supply-chain issues, according to the report.

By Bill Adams

Some are called trade shows. Others are called expos. Those called conferences are multifaceted, with the larger ones featuring extensive educational and training programs. Every year in the United States there are numerous such events drawing fire service personnel from across the country. A handful style themselves as “national” shows. In Indianapolis, the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) is held annually (except during pandemics). It is the largest domestic national fire service trade show, drawing more than 30,000 attendees.

Fire apparatus manufacturers have traditionally used the FDIC forum to introduce their newest and greatest apparatus innovations. Most of the rigs displayed there are new, including numerous demonstrator models available for immediate sale. This missive is about the fire truck side of the trade shows, especially the regional shows.  

FA Viewpoints: Walking the Trade Show Floor

Regional trade shows should not be disparaged or discounted by apparatus purchasers. Although some manufacturers regularly attend them, local dealers are usually responsible for organizing and staffing the displays. Often the apparatus shown have been sold and are en route to being delivered after the show. Some have recently been placed in service and brought to the show. Most are equipped, and that is a benefit to potential purchasers.

The benefit to prospective buyers is to observe, compare, and evaluate how various fire departments actually equip their new apparatus. Granted, new shiny fire trucks with large hosebeds and empty pristine compartments are impressive looking and accurately display workmanship unobscured by equipment and packed hose. But equally important is to see how functional the apparatus is—or can be—when loaded and ready to go.

The following photographs are from a regional show. Comments are this writer’s personal opinion about features liked as well as disliked. Keep in mind that most of the photographed rigs are designed for specific fire departments for THEIR use today and tomorrow and NOT for the department I belonged to 20 years ago. Readers may find some of the layout ideas useful or find some they want to steer clear of. 

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