For fleet managers and emergency apparatus mechanics, outfitting a mobile service unit is more than just picking out a truck. In this episode, Andy Biron and Chris Mc Loone discuss designing and equipping mobile service units for fire apparatus maintenance divisions and dealers.

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Today in Ohio
cleveland.com
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Having eyes on the scene of emergencies can be the difference between life and death, and Today in Ohio podcast hosts were surprised Friday at the often-backward city of Cleveland’s bold proposal to transform its response to 911 calls with drones.

Cleveland is actively exploring the deployment of remote-controlled drones to police, fire and EMS scenes fast, before police and firefighters can get there, to get crucial intelligence to to the first responders to help them be ready.

The city has reached out to tech firms for proposals on implementing a “drone as first responder” program, said Courtney Astolfi in Friday’s podcast episode. These wouldn’t be your ordinary consumer drones—the city is seeking advanced technology capable of traveling at impressive speeds.

“According to this request for qualifications, the city’s now put out, they want drones capable of flying 53 miles an hour, which is pretty quick,” Astolfi said.

The concept addresses one of the most challenging aspects of emergency response: uncertainty. When a 911 call comes in, dispatchers and first responders often have limited information about what awaits them at the scene. A drone could change that equation dramatically.

Chris Quinn sees the initiative as part of Mayor Justin Bibb’s broader vision for modernizing city operations: “Justin Bibb came into office as mayor three and a half years ago saying he wanted to modernize the way the city does business. And it’s a big tall order because they’re so backwards… But this is smart. This would be a great tool for everybody to see. If you get a 911 call, you never know exactly what you’re going to see. But if you can get a drone there fast to let the officers or the firefighters or the paramedics know what they’re coming up on, they’ll do a better job.”

The program wouldn’t replace human responders but would serve as a force multiplier, giving them critical information before they arrive. As Astolfi clarified, “It seems like it’s not really going to be a substitution at all for first responders. It’s just eyes on the ground quicker, which I’m intrigued by.”

This advanced intelligence could prove invaluable in numerous scenarios. For firefighters, a drone could identify the exact location and intensity of a blaze, potential hazards, or people needing rescue. For EMS calls, it could help paramedics understand the number of patients, the severity of injuries, or environmental dangers before arriving.

The potential benefits extend beyond immediate response. The drones would record incidents, creating valuable footage for training purposes, after-action reviews, and continual improvement of emergency protocols.

Cleveland isn’t the first city to explore this technology, but its implementation would represent a significant advancement for a municipality that has sometimes struggled to modernize its operations. The drone program aligns with national trends toward smarter cities that leverage technology to enhance public services.

The initiative also reflects a growing recognition that traditional emergency response models can benefit from technological augmentation. While human responders remain essential, providing them with better information and situational awareness can dramatically improve outcomes.

Listen to the discussion here.

Note: Artificial inte

The St. Lucie County (FL) Fire District recently celebrated the official opening of Fire Station 18 with a ribbon-cutting and push-in ceremony, joined by members of the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners.

This marks the department’s first new fire station since 2008—and it’s already in service, the department said. Station 18 officially began responding to calls immediately following the ceremony.

Serving as a Special Operations Station, its central location allows for quick and safe response throughout St. Lucie County.

“We’re grateful for the strong turnout from community members, fire board commissioners, and our own fire district personnel,” the department said in a Facebook post. “As St. Lucie County continues to grow, so does our commitment to being there when you need us—next up: Stations 20 and 19.”

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At the end of May 2025, President Donald Trump announced he is doubling the tariff on steel imports, bringing the tariff to 50%, according to an AP News.com story. He added later that would also double the tariff on aluminum imports to 50%. These tariffs are expected to take effect on June 4, 2025. According to the same story, steel prices in the United States have already climbed 16% since the middle of January 2025.

According to a Reuters report, the U.S. imported 26.2 million tons of steel in 2024, according to the Department of Commerce. The report says the U.S. is the world’s largest steel importer, excluding the European Union, and as a result, the new tariffs might increase steel prices across the board, which will impact industry and consumers. That said, the impact these tariffs, and others, will have on manufacturers that supply fire apparatus and related firefighting equipment is currently unclear.

Fire departments should contact their vendors for more specific information.

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Bert Martin, president of the Clover (VA) Volunteer Fire Department and former chief, is being treated at Duke Hospital for injuries he sustained in a May 30 wreck in a fire apparatus en route to a structure fire, yourgv.com reported.

On May 31, the department released the following statement on its Facebook page:

“Bert is out of surgery, which was long. He can wiggle his toes but isn’t awake enough to get a full assessment,” the post said. “Please pray that they can safely position him for the surgery on his lower back, that they can do the less invasive procedure, and that the surgery itself will be safe and effective. Thank you all!”

On a fundraiser page for Martin, organized by Melissa Duffey Fears, the post said Martin “has an extensive recovery process but is expected to make a full recovery.”

Martin was driving a fire apparatus on Newbill School Road on his way to the fire call shortly after 3 p.m. when the truck overturned one and a half times and landed on its side in the ditch, according to a fire official.

It’s unclear what led to the wreck, which is still under investigation by Virginia State Police, the report said. There were no passengers in the apparatus.

The rig was totaled, the report said.

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