Before deciding to repurpose a reserve pumper, departments need to scrutinize several factors—foremost among them is maintenance. Bill Adkins emphasized the importance of understanding the costs and extent of repairs required. “Is it going to be worth putting money into it?” is the starting question. Valve overhaul, pump packing condition, and primer function are maintenance priorities, especially if a truck has sat unused for a long time.

If a reserve pumper clears the initial maintenance and capability hurdles, the next phase involves modifications aimed at enhancing water-moving capacity. Soccodato stresses that sufficient intake valves and proper pump plumbing are foundational. Without multiple adequately sized intakes, a rig simply cannot supply large volumes of water.

• Water Delivery: Designing Rigs to Move High Volumes of Water
• Water Delivery at FDIC 2025
• Moving Water: Supply Lines

Both Adkins and Soccodato agree that turning reserve pumpers into water supply apparatus generally serves best as a stopgap measure. Budget constraints often prevent departments from purchasing new, purpose-built supply units. Converting existing reserves allows departments to maintain operational readiness for complex water supply operations without substantial capital outlay.

The post Moving Water: Equipping Reserve Rigs for Water Delivery appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

SOUTH HAVEN, MI—Spencer Manufacturing, Inc., a provider of customized fire apparatus, has released the Initial Attack – Stock build #1671, adding to its growing lineup of inventive and efficient builds.
The in-stock Spencer Initial Attack is built on a Ford F-600 chassis and equipped with a full-body pump. It can move over 2,000 gpm using Hale’s Qmax-XS 1,500-gpm pump.

This configuration brings big-truck pumping power to a compact initial attack platform—typically the first apparatus to arrive on scene. With a smaller, more agile body designed for rapid response in remote, rural, or wildland environments, the truck provides maximum water flow in critical early moments of a developing fire, enabling faster and more effective suppression.

“We’re proud to bring forward innovations like this that make crews more effective and better equipped to protect their communities,” says Grant Spencer, president of Spencer Fire Trucks. “Our best innovations come directly from the field. By staying flexible and truly listening to what departments need, we’re able to design apparatus that solve real-world challenges and help firefighters do their jobs more safely and efficiently.”

Features of the Initial Attack include:

• Ford F-600 XLT chassis
• 6.7-liter V8 diesel engine
• 19,500-pound GVWR
• Spencer Solid-POLY™ body
• L2/R2 transverse compartment
• Ladder storage
• Suction hose storage
• Whelen CenCom Core® lighting package
• Whelen Liberty II lightbar
• Whelen M Series warning lights
• Whelen M9 EZ scene lights
• Hale Qmax-XS 1,500-gpm pump
• SmartFOAM 2.1A with 10-gallon cell
• 300-gallon water tank
• Two 200-foot 1¾-inch speedlays with foam
• Hosebed 2½-inch foam discharge

The Initial Attack stock unit #1671 is available now for immediate delivery

About Spencer Fire Trucks

Spencer Manufacturing, Inc. was founded in 1986 by volunteer firefighter Brian Spencer in South Haven, Michigan. Nearly 40 years later, the family-owned company continues to serve departments across the country with purpose-built fire and rescue apparatus.

Known for its unlimited customization, flexible build process, and exceptional craftsmanship, Spencer works side by side wi

Video obtained by king5.com shows a driver in a silver Honda hit a Seattle (WA) Fire Department apparatus three times. The driver then allegedly went on to block an intersection and lead police on a high-speed chase.

According to a police report, about 30 minutes after hitting the fire department rig, the same silver Honda later on allegedly blocked an intersection and attempted to hit cars and people.

Police officers attempted to pull the Honda over but a high-speed chase ensued. Once the Honda reached 85 mph the police ended their pursuit. The driver is still at-large.

No injuries were reported.

The post WATCH | Car Driver Repeatedly Backs Into Fire Apparatus appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

After finishing up its response to a highway crash Sunday Aug. 3, 2025, a St. Louis Fire Department pumper was rear-ended by a Jeep.

Two fire units responded to the first crash – one to investigate the incident, the other to “block” or protect the scene from traffic, a fire official told ksdk.com.

As the blocking engine was leaving the scene, a Jeep rear-ended it, causing the Jeep to flip on its side, the report said.

The driver of the Jeep and two firefighters were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to the report. The firefighters were released from the hospital by around noon.

“Officers and the St. Louis Fire Department had a close call this morning,” the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department posted on Facebook. “While investigating a crash on I-44 near Jamieson, a driver failed to slow down and move over. The vehicle hit the rear of a fire engine.

“Thankfully, there were only minor injuries. This could have been much worse.

“Slow Down and Move Over. It’s the law!”

The post St. Louis (MO) FD Pumper Rear-Ended at Crash Scene appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Don Worley, a local resident of Warren (VT), proudly drives a staple of Warren’s 4^th of July yearly parade. The 1928 American LaFrance fire truck has been in the parade since the 1980s. 

According to an erienewsnow.com article, the truck served the Bradford (PA) Fire Department until 1952 and then spent two decades at Bradford Airport. Worley found the truck in 1977 in a field, and it was in bad shape. The wheels were wood and the truck had a chain drive, and Worley decided he had to have it. After five years of restoration, the truck has been a staple of Warren’s parade.   

Don Worley’s passion for restoration has brought joy and intrigue to the local residents of Warren.  

The post 1928 Fire Truck Becomes 4th of July Parade Staple  appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.