With the help of some local children, the Waco Fire Department recently pushed in three new Spartan engines at three stations. They’re the first batch of six new engines on the horizon for the department.

“They have many enhanced features, such as lower hose beds, modern emergency lighting, and cab configurations that better meet the needs of fire personnel while responding to emergencies,” a Facebook post reads.

A report in wacotrib.com adds that the department expects a ladder truck in July. Everything comes in at a cost of $5 million—$638,000 per engine and $1.2 million for the ladder. The report says it’s all being purchased via 10-year lease.

The old trucks will be traded in to vendors and are expected to fetch between $40,000 and $50,000 total; the report says those funds could be used for equipment.

The first 3 of 6 new ⁦@Spartan_ER⁩ engines were delivered to the ⁦@WacoTXFire⁩ Shop today. Hopefully putting these units in service next week at Stations 1, 2, & 11 with push-in ceremonies. 3 more engines arriving in 2 weeks! Exciting times at ⁦#WacoFire pic.twitter.com/OTsR5p74qJ

— Waco Fire Department (@WacoTXFire) May 25, 2022

Hughsonville firefighters called a Mayday Sunday when the regulator on a firefighter’s self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) failed at a house fire in Wappinger.

The Hughsonville Fire Department responded to the home at 30 Woodland Court at 6:15 a.m. for a report of smoke in the basement. When crews arrived they saw smoke coming from the home.

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Firefighters stretched a hose line into the structure through the front door and proceeded to go down the basement stairs. It was while they were descending the basement stairs that a firefighter on the hose line experienced a malfunction with his SCBA regulator, department officials say on Facebook.

The officer of the hose line crew transmitted a Mayday for the firefighter experiencing the SCBA Regulator malfunction. The firefighter was assisted by his crew and additional crews near him out of the structure through the rear sliding glass door. He was transported to a hospital where he was treated and released.

In all, 10 agencies assisted in extinguishing the fire, which was largely contained to the basement.

There’s currently an investigation into the Petersburg Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, with reports swirling that it has to do with one station resorting to using an ambulance for fire calls due to a lack of engines. However, details are scarce at this point.

The Office of Emergency Medical Services pulled a city fire engine out of service Friday after its inspection sticker was found to be expired, reports WTVR. The city that day for a few hours only had one working engine and still has no ladders.

The department is supposed to have at least three engines and one ladder, according to the report.

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The Honolulu Fire Department Monday held a blessing ceremony for nine new fire trucks totaling $8.5 million.

Each new apparatus was given a Hawaiian name to honor the department’s past.

I was honored to join the Honolulu Fire Dept (HFD) this morning as it revealed 9 new fire fighting apparatuses at a Blessing & Naming Ceremony at ‘Iolani Palace. Today’s impressive ceremony emphasized the uniqueness of the HFD that no other fire dept in our nation can claim. pic.twitter.com/xuIBWtU3Ky

— Mayor Rick Blangiardi (@MayorRickHNL) June 7, 2022

According to a report in khon2.com, the new apparatus are named:

• Manaiakalani Rescue 2 – Mililani Mauka
• Ka‘iwa Ladder 18 – Kailua
• Kalei‘a‘alaopapa Engine 1 – Central
• Kahakuohawai‘i Engine 4 – Kuakini
• Kaʻākaukukui Engine 9 – Kakaʻako
• Waiola‘a Engine 10 – ‘Aiea
• Keolaonālani Engine 16 – Wahiawā
• Waiola Engine 30 – Moanalua
• Kauapō‘aihale Engine 37 – Kahaluʻu

Department officials say each name relates to its assigned area and was selected by a committee.

A ceremonial ground-breaking event has signaled the beginning of West Deer Volunteer Fire Company #3’s quest for a new station.

GEDTF grant funding helped the town acquire and renovate an existing building, and officials and locals gathered Wednesday afternoon at 4360 Gibsonia Rd., where the 16,000-square-foot facility will be located, to celebrate.

Officials are hoping construction will begin late this summer with a potential move-in time of fall or winter.

“I can’t wait to come back for a ribbon-cutting,” Senator Lindsey Williams said, as can be seen below: