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Posted: Jul 17, 2025

Columbus (OH) Proposes $15M for Fire Apparatus

Columbus (OH) Mayor Andrew J. Ginther recently outlined his $2.9 billion 2025 Capital Budget proposal and it included $15 million for fire apparatus, according to a press release

“This budget focuses on my most fundamental priority – keeping every Columbus resident healthy, safe and stably housed,” said Ginther. “Upgrading our emergency response vehicles to support swift response times…this budget proposal invests first and foremost in our collective safety and wellbeing.”

The proposal received support from Steve Stein, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 67, who earlier this year said the fire department was in an “apparatus crisis.”

According to a city official, the $15 million in the proposed budget would be the city’s largest investment in fire apparatus in a decade, abconyourside.com reported.

Stein said he appreciates the support, but adds it’s not a quick fix. He said it takes about two years to get new trucks.

Stein said the $15 million in Mayor Ginther’s budget, combined with a $50 million bond package for fire equipment on the ballot this November, should help close the gap, according to the ABC report.

In April, the Columbus fleet administrator said there was not an apparatus crisis and assured that the city has more than enough fire trucks and ambulances to protect everyone, the ABC report said.

The post Columbus (OH) Proposes $15M for Fire Apparatus appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Jul 17, 2025

FA Viewpoints: Board Members Share Their Views on Stock/Program Fire Apparatus

Many manufacturers are using stock or program fire apparatus as one way to offer fire departments the apparatus they need at reduced costs and with reduced delivery times. This month, we asked Bill Adams and Ricky Riley: What are your thoughts on stock/program fire apparatus?

Stock Rigs: They Can Be Beneficial to All Parties

BILL ADAMS

Stock and program (stock/program) fire apparatus is an oft discussed and interesting topic most recently addressed by Editor Chris Mc Loone’s podcast, “FDIC 2025 and the Broader Fire Apparatus Context,” and his April 2025 article, “Exploring the Stock Fire Apparatus Option.” In 2016, I also addressed it in “Apparatus Purchasing: Stock, Standard, Or Demo, Parts 1 and 2.”

Stock/program initiatives have become increasingly beneficial to manufacturers and dealers (sellers) alike as evidenced by them aggressively promoting the concept. Showing no disrespect to sellers, the subject is addressed herein void of their sales and marketing philosophies. Consider reviewing and evaluating sellers’ published comments in Mc Loone’s articles, in Part 2 of mine, and on their sales literature and Web sites. It is important to note some apparatus dealers may have their own local stock/program strategies.

Sellers promote benefits gained by purchasers more so than those received by themselves except, of course, when claiming savings are being passed along. That is a smart sales strategy not subject to criticism. Rarely are potential disadvantages addressed to buyers. That also is an astute business decision.

When carefully analyzed, purchasing stock/program apparatus can be very advantageous to buyers. Because buyers and sellers are not always on the same page, possible misunderstandings and potential drawbacks are worth investigating.

DEFINITIONS

There are no rules, regulations, or official definitions for stock, program, and demonstrator (demo) apparatus. Some definitions are literal; some are not. Everyone is entitled to their own interpretations of each. Cambridge Dictionary’s literal definition of stock says it is something “for use or sale— now or in the future.” Amplification of such a literal definition varies with each seller’s marketing efforts. Many sellers are very good at what they do. And, it is the buyer’s option whether or not to accept a seller’s interpretation and presentation. My simplistic definition of a stock rig is one that’s already built and is ready for immediate sale similar to new automobiles on car dealership lots. Almost all sellers expand that characterization to include stock/ program apparatus that are on order or scheduled for production—a smart sales and marketing strategy.

One literal definition of program says it is “a series of instructions that make a computer perform an operation,” which has nothing to do with fire trucks. Hence, a program truck is whatever the manufacturer wants to call it. They are usually designed for specific markets or geographical areas—another smart sales and marketing strategy. Demonstrator (demo) apparatus can be used to introduce new features and products as well as to promote a manufacturer’s line of stock/program apparatus. Hence, a demo truck can also be a stock truck, a program truck, or all three.

Sellers promote multiple benefits of manufacturing standardized apparatus when describing stock/program rigs. I defer to their definitions. My simplistic explanation is the more identical widgets are made, the less expensive they are to make. It’s more so when they’re made at the same time.

PERCEPTION AND PRIDE

Some fire departments have a preconce

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Posted: Jul 17, 2025

PHOTOS: 49th Antique Fire Apparatus Show and Muster Held in Harrisburg (PA), Part 4

The annual antique fire apparatus muster and flea market along the banks of the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, hosted by the Pennsylvania Pump Primers, was held July 12.

The Pennsylvania Pump Primers Association is an organization of antique fire apparatus enthusiasts, many of whom own, drive, maintain, and improve their own fire trucks and related vehicles and equipment, according to the organization’s Web site.

The Pump Primers were founded in Harrisburg in 1975 and the following year became the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the national organization the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA). Every July the Pennsylvania Pump Primers holds its annual muster in Harrisburg along the banks of the Susquehanna River in Riverfront Park. Over the years the muster has drawn an average of 100 pieces of antique apparatus that participate in activities including static display and active drafting and pumping from the river. The muster also features an extensive flea market and fire related contests and games.

Photos from 49th Antique Fire Apparatus Show: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Posted: Jul 17, 2025

Ross (CA) Residents Pitch Firehouse Initiative

Krissy Waite
The Marin Independent Journal, Novato, Calif.
(TNS)

Jul. 15—A group of Ross residents has proposed a ballot initiative aimed at preserving the town’s fire station.

Friends of Ross Firehouse filed the necessary paperwork with the town on June 30, Town Manager Christa Johnson said. The initiative aims to rehabilitate the station and staff at least two firefighters.

The proponents have 180 days to gather signatures, Town Attorney Benjamin Stock.

“This, we believe, is a vision that Ross residents will support for a bond measure requiring a two-thirds vote,” Friends of Ross Firehouse president Bob Herbst said.

He estimated the group needed 175 signatures to succeed. He said the initiative already has “well over” 100 registered supporters.

If the necessary signatures are verified, the issue must be put to voters at the town’s next regularly scheduled election, and occur no less than 88 days after the date the council adopts a resolution submitting the ordinance to the voters.

The town could call special election. Herbst said they are aiming for a special election in June 2026 to present residents with a fully designed and priced-out plan.

In 2021, the Town Council voted unanimously to close Ross Valley Fire Department’s Station 18 due to age. The station was shuttered on July 1.

The fire department is planning to staff three firefighters per engine at its San Anselmo and Fairfax stations. Ambulance services will remain in town.

Estimates to build a new station — renovating it to meet current flood zone and Essential Services Act requirements could cost more than rebuilding — came close to $28.4 million, according to the town. Instead, town leaders opted for a civic center plan that omits a fire station for around $14 million.

“By contrast, our plan rehabs and rebuilds within the existing building foundations, which are well built and structurally sound, and maintains the historic firehouse architecture that everyone in Ross and Marin County knows and loves,” Herbst said.

Stephanie DiMarco, vice president of the citizens’ group, said the goal is to safeguard health and welfare. The group is working with BRW Architects, which has offices in San Francisco, on plans that would rehabilitate the existing firehouse for the same, if not lower, cost, they said.

“It’s important enough that it should be taken to the voters and not be up to three people,” DiMarco said. “Let’s really bring it to the voters and see what the residents have to say.”

The Town Council revisited the topic at a meeting in March, where council members — in a 3-2 split — ultimately decided against spending more resources on researching alternatives to closing Station 18. Councilmember Mathew Salter and Mayor Pro Tempore Elizabeth Robbins wanted to explore options.

A sticking point is emergency response times. The current engine response time is seven minutes, 55 seconds for over 90% of emergencies in Ross. Relocating the engine could increase that by two minutes when the medic unit is out on another call.

“We have an older population,” DiMarco said. “In the case of a stroke or heart attack, those minutes matter.”

On Thursday, the council voted 3-2 to direct staff to move forward with selling Engine 18. The engine is 20 years old — three years past the useful life of the department’s engines — and is the oldest in the fleet, Johnson said.

Proceeds from the sale, around $20,000 to $25,000, would go to Ross. Garaging the engine would cost around $25,000 to $50,000 annually, plus another $125,000 to

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Posted: Jul 17, 2025

Des Moines (IA) FD Considers Removing Engine from Station, Citing Stagnant Response Times

For the past 18 months, the Des Moines Fire Department ran a trial to see if running an engine would help crews reach emergencies faster from Station 8, located on the city’s south side near the Des Moines International Airport, kcci.com reported.

Station 8 is the third busiest in the city, according to recent data, and serves a large geographic area, the report said. The station has operated three full-time frontline vehicles: an engine, a ladder truck, and a medic unit, according to the report.

During a neighborhood association meeting recently, a fire official said the data collected during the past 18 months did not show any improvement in response times, the report said. The fire official said no final decision has been made, but that his recommendation was to remove the extra engine.

That recommendation has drawn opposition from some on the city council and the Des Moines Firefighters’ union, according to a post on its Facebook page.

“Our Fire Chief wants to take Engine 8 out of service, essentially taking three bodies away from your potential emergency and waiting for the next closest engine to arrive on scene,” the firefighters’ union posted. “Is this OK? If your house was on fire, you would want the most people there, as fast as humanly possible!”

While the authority to remove or retain Engine 8 rests with the fire chief, the Des Moines City Council has the ability to intervene if it disagrees with the decision, the report said.

The post Des Moines (IA) FD Considers Removing Engine from Station, Citing Stagnant Response Times appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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