As FA reported, the Omaha Fire Department (OFD) is looking to replace its fleet to the tune of 18 new vehicles for just over $10.9 million. City council will decide on Tuesday if the plan will come to fruition.

Officials say the department’s entire fleet needs replacing, and they plan to ask city council to approve a purchase agreement for the dozen and a half apparatus over the next three years, according to the report.

In addition, OFD hopes to purchase a total of 54 new vehicles through 2029. The total cost of the eight-year replacement program is $29.35 million.

“Ordinance 42956: An ordinance to enter into a Purchase Agreement with MacQueen Equipment, L.L.C. to purchase eleven emergency vehicles manufactured by Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. and seven Med Units manufactured by Demers Ambulance USA Inc. at a total cost of $10,977,310.75; the term of the Agreement shall be for three years, with purchases starting in year 2022 through year 2024 with no increase in cost per the NASPO ValuePoint Fire Apparatus Master Agreement and through agreement with MacQueen Equipment L.L.C.; the Omaha Fire Department shall have the option to trade-in eleven (11) emergency vehicles in the total amount of $36,250.00 at any time if the Fire Department were to determine it was in the best interest of the City; the City shall have the option to purchase additional vehicles from MacQueen Equipment, L.L.C. with all participating Pierce Manufacturing consortium prices with a 0% raise above the selected consortium price at the time of purchase for the period of 2025 to 2029.”

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The department says that the vehicles are safe to serve the community, but they have tremendous wear and tear.

Unlike the current fleet, the potential new apparatus would all be made by the same company, which would lead to less training and parts replacements and better response times.

The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) is once again conducting its annual Apparatus & Economic Outlook Survey.

The results of the 2022 Apparatus & Economic Outlook Survey will provide valuable insights on the trends of the fire industry and help fire service suppliers learn how both FAMA and its member companies can help support the fire service more! Those who complete the survey will have the chance to win a VISA gift card.

To participate, simply go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/99B8BF5

The survey will close August 1, 2022 and the blind drawing winner will be notified in early October.

(North Cowichan, BC) – The North Cowichan Fire Department has taken delivery of a new C$1.45 million aerial fire truck. The vehicle, whose ladder can reach more than 32 meters (107 feet) — and is the tallest in the Cowichan Valley — will be stationed at the South End fire hall, but serve the entire North Cowichan area, as well as neighboring First Nations communities and through mutual aid agreements with adjacent municipalities.

“This is an exciting day for our fire department,” said Mayor Al Siebring. “This ladder truck will no doubt be a tremendous asset, not just for our fire department and our communities, but also for the dedicated paid on-call members.”

The Pierce Enforcer ladder truck can pump 7,570 liters (2,000 gallons) per minute and carries a 1,900-liter (500-gallon) water tank plus a 110-liter (30-gallon) auto injection foam system. At just under 12 meters (39 feet) in length, the truck is agile and can maneuver through tight city streets. Set up takes less than one minute, making this a quick and effective rescue and fire extinguishing vehicle.

The Fire Underwriters insurance requires North Cowichan have two aerial firefighting vehicles in order to service the 187 buildings that are over three stories in height, with fire flows over 7,570 liters per minute. The older ladder truck previously stationed at the South End is now stationed in Chemainus.

The North Cowichan Fire Department serves the municipality, as well as Quw’utsun, Halalt, Penelakut, Stz’uminus, and Lyackson First Nations from four fire halls: Chemainus, Maple Bay, South End, and Crofton. It is BC’s largest paid on-call fire department, with 104 members.

The White Rock Fire District is celebrating some new fire trucks that will not only improve community safety but replace outdated apparatus, reports MDCP.

One former truck was a 1977 engine, and the old tankers were 1969 and 1974 models—all of which used hard-to-find parts and were otherwise in dire need of replacing, the report says. The brush trucks, too, needed major repairs.

Earlier: White Rock (AR) Fire Protection District Takes Delivery of Apparatus, More on the Way

The department received 5% ($15,000) of a cost-share AFG payment to replace a tanker, while a brush truck was replaced via help from a state government bid, which reduced its cost so much that the department was able to get two, according to the report.

The 1977 engine was replaced with one featuring fewer than 11,000 miles and current on all testing and requirements. The other new apparatus is a tanker-pumper, the report notes; its predecessor only hauled water.

The department hopes to replace its 1974 tanker and keep up-to-date equipment, officials say.

A new fire station in Kanturk was recently opened with help from local officials.

Cork County Fire Service Officers and Kanturk’s past and present firefighters, along with their families, were on hand to celebrate.

The state-of-the-art Percival Street facility, which serves more than 15,000 people, replaces the former St. Theresa’s Place station, which was home to the brigade for nearly 70 years, reports independent.ie.

The contract for the new digs was awarded to Cork-based HG Construction, following a €1.8 million ($1.9 million) bid, and it was funded by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government.