Coldwater city council Monday approved an $822,663 bid with Spencer Manufacturing for a new fire truck. The vote was 6-3, and a bone of contention remains.

The city specification called for a polybody, as opposed to aluminum, which dwindled down the bidders to two from six manufacturers, reports thedailyreporter.com. During the meeting, fire officials received criticism for not obtaining bids for both styles to determine the price difference and pros and cons.

Related: Coldwater (MI) Fire Department Prepares to Order New Truck

Officials say the polybody allows for easier repairs, more durability, and a larger water tank. Any efforts to rebid would push ordering to September, which would increase the price, the report notes.

When the chassis is ready, the city will pay Spencer about 60% of the price in the next budget year, according to the report. The final payment will be due November 2023, when the apparatus is delivered. Officials say they expect to pay for the truck out of the city’s $6 million fund balance.

June 28 was a busy day for Grant County firefighters. At least five different wildfires broke out around the country prompting responses from local departments and mutual aid from throughout the county. Grant County Fire District 7 Chief Kirk Sheppard said he was on vacation and out of the state when the fires broke out but he appreciates all the mutual aid partners who responded to the call for support.
- PUB DATE: 6/30/2022 10:09:00 AM - SOURCE: Columbia Basin Herald - Metered Site

The Shoreline Fire Department said rescue equipment was stolen from their fire engine while crews were helping someone during a medical call. Officials say fire personnel were responding to the call early Tuesday evening. It was not specified where the medical call occurred, but crews had the fire engine parked outside the address while they went in to help the patient.
- PUB DATE: 6/30/2022 10:01:14 AM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13 Seattle

Five Hamilton Township firefighters Tuesday night were transported to the hospital after their fire truck rolled into a ditch en route home from a call, reports todaysnorthumberland.ca.

First responders were called to a serious single-vehicle accident on Beaver Meadow Road at Harwood Road around 10:50 p.m., according to the report.

While returning to the Beaver Meadow Road station, a large commercial vehicle and the apparatus were travelling in opposite directions. When the fire truck tried to move to the right its wheels went into a deep ditch—and the truck rolled onto its side in the ditch, the report notes.

The firefighters were treated and released, but the truck wasn’t as lucky. Beaver Meadow Road was closed for about 12 hours as two crews got the fire truck out from the ditch.

Committed to enhancing its US dealer partner network, Demers USA, authorized U.S. distributor of Crestline products, is proud to announce MacQueen Emergency will now represent the Crestline brand throughout South Dakota.

“We are excited to continue our growth into the EMS marketplace by representing Crestline in the state of South Dakota,” said Dan Gage, President & CEO of MacQueen Emergency. “The DBC (Demers, Braun, and Crestline) family of Ambulances represent the best in the industry, and we are proud to be a part of their team.”

MacQueen Equipment started in 1961 and is operational in 12 states.  MacQueen entered the EMS market in 2016 when it became a fire apparatus dealer for four states. Today, MacQueen operates 15 locations across 12 states, 78 technicians, and 93 service bays.  One of the core pillars is servicing the customer and they are committed to that every day.

“We are pleased to have the MacQueen team be a part of the DBC family,” says Greg Tucci, Director of U.S. Sales for Demers Braun Crestline. “They have a passion for this industry and offer a customer service aspect that is second to none. They bring a growth-minded element to our network, from new ambulance sales to after-market sales support, to multiple customer service locations. We know Crestline customers will be more than taken care of working with MacQueen Emergency and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with them.”

To learn more about Demers Braun Crestline dealer partners or for new ambulance sales and service in South Dakota, please contact Greg Tucci, Director of U.S. Sales for Demers Braun Crestline at gtucci@demers-ambulances.com. 

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 positions 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

About MacQueen Equipment

Established in 1961, MacQueen Equipment is a diversified dealer of environmental and emergency specialty vehicles. MacQueen’s Emergency Division distributes new ambulances manufactured by Demers and Crestline, while offering the highest quality environmental and emergency products and services to municipalities, contractors, airports, and fire departments in the Midwest. MacQueen’s headquarters are in St. Paul, Minnesota.