(1) Ukrainian firefighters chase a mock wildland fire as part of their hands-on training. 

The International Fire Relief Mission recently finished a week-long visit to the Kherson region of southern Ukraine to complete the first delivery and training phase of humanitarian aid efforts that began more than a year ago.

IFRM collected donated firefighting equipment from across the United States, selected items that were most needed by Ukrainian firefighters as identified by an IFRM fact-finding team, and shipped the materials by sea to Kherson. IFRM was pleased to see the firefighting equipment arrived as shipped and easily cleared Ukrainian customs, said IFRM President Brian Abbott. This is a clear sign they are serious about improving their firefighting capabilities, he said.

ALSO: International Fire Relief Mission Visits Ukraine, Lays Groundwork for Firefighter Aid

“During our team’s preliminary visit we saw an obvious need for modern turnout gear, wildland firefighting tools and fire prevention and public education materials,” Abbott said. “Thanks to the countless fire departments who donated to us and our corporate partners, we could supply this region’s fire department with exactly what they need.”

IFRM partner Lion made a significant turnout gear donation. In addition, Lion laundered and repaired at its Chicago TotalCare Center all the donated turnout gear destined for Ukraine. Going this extra step is part of Lion’s promise to the fire service, said Lion CEO Steve Schwartz.

(2) Ukrainian firefighters get their first look at donated U.S. firefighting turnout gear, which is much different from their current gear that lacks thermal and moisture barrier layers. 

“Lion is committed to protecting all firefighters from both the seen and unseen dangers on the fireground,” Schwartz said. “Firefighter cancer risk does not end at the U.S. border, and we could not in good conscious send those Ukrainian firefighters gear that may harbor carcinogens and other contaminants.”

ALSO: LION Ramps Up Partnership Shipping Donated IFRM Firefighting Gear

Lion, also donated one of its training products, a new BullsEye digital fire extinguisher training tool and smoke generator. Trainees use the laser-based fire extinguisher to knock down a realistic simulated fire. The smoke generator enhances the training experience.

“On our first visit, we saw the department had the building blocks in place for a community risk reduction program,” Abbott said. “They lacked portable, reusable and realistic training tools to take their prevention efforts to more people. And their firefighters were skeptical when they first saw the device. But once it was set up and they ran through some hands-on training, we didn’t need an interpreter to know they understood how useful it will be.”

(3) Ukrainian firefighters take in a classroom session on wildland fire suppression before heading out for hands-on training. 

In addition to providing the firefighters with instruction on the safe use of the donated str

Pierce Manufacturing has delivered a Pierce Ascendant^® 107’-foot heavy-duty aerial ladder to the Cambridge (MA) Fire Department. The new apparatus is an innovatively designed, lighter apparatus equipped with a tandem axle chassis and TAK-4 T3™ technologies. 

APPLETON, WI—Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, has delivered a custom Pierce Ascendant^® 107-foot heavy-duty aerial ladder to the Cambridge (MA) Fire Department. The new apparatus was sold by New England’s exclusive Pierce^® dealer, Minuteman Fire and Rescue. Features include a custom Arrow XT™ chassis, 107 feet of vertical and 100 feet of horizontal reach, 16-foot stabilizer spread, and 1,500-gpm waterway flow capacity. Additionally, a TAK-4 T3™ independent rear suspension system uses coil springs instead of torsion springs, providing the apparatus with 100 percent mechanical rear steering for two axles on tandems. The customized apparatus is required to meet sustainable practices and the historic city’s vehicle weight and maneuverability requirements. These features will allow the Cambridge Fire Department members the ability to safely navigate and access narrow roads and tall buildings. 

“With the newest addition of the Ascendant 107-foot heavy-duty aerial ladder, the significantly lighter and fuel efficient vehicle provides a tighter angle radius, and fulfills the department’s need for an easier and cleaner response to navigating through confined city streets in a highly-populated community, said Gerard Mahoney, acting chief of department. “We are an ‘all-hazards department,’ so this means we not only provide fire services and emergency medical advanced life support but are also equipped with technical rescue skills, including high-angle, collapse, trench, and confined space rescue while meeting the city’s unique navigational challenges. Our community’s 278 firefighters and officers have to be supported with very specific tools and apparatus to do our job and we are confident in Pierce Manufacturing and Minuteman Fire and Rescue’s offerings.”

The Cambridge has a population of more than 113,500 and is part of the Boston metropolitan area. The city’s old fire stations, historic streets, and landmark buildings influenced the decision to purchase a custom apparatus that is lightweight and highly maneuverable. Cambridge is recognized as a LEED Certified City with the highest 5-STAR rating in the U.S. from STAR Communities for its commitment to furthering clean energy practices, sustainable transportation options, and many other programs and initiatives.

This commitment to sustainable practices

Coxreels is proud to introduce a new line of three industrial duty LED lights now available on the PC13 (Power Cord) cord reels. 

The new LED lights feature a variety of industrial-grade features and options, including: a 50,000 hour rating, internal light diffusers, and shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses. Coxreels’ new LED lights also feature adjustable steel hooks for hands-free placement.

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Superior Charter Township (MI) Fire Department 103-foot AerialCat™ rear-mount aerial ladder quint. Predator MFD cab with 10-inch raised roof and chassis; Cummins ISX15 565-hp engine; Hendrickson Firemaax air ride suspension.