As fire departments across North America seek to balance budgets, meet urgent equipment needs, and respond to community demands, the concept of “stock rigs” emerges as an essential topic in the fire service community. In a recent episode of the Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment podcast, Chris Mc Loone interviewed Jay Johnson, from Rosenbauer America, who shared insights into Rosenbauer’s stock truck program.

The production of stock fire apparatus is driven by collaboration between Rosenbauer America and its network of dealers across North America. These dealers play a crucial role in understanding local market needs and consumer preferences. By gauging what fire departments are likely to seek, dealers can preemptively order units that are most likely to align with future purchases, allowing for quicker delivery times.

One of the most significant benefits of opting for a stock truck is the potential for reduced lead times. In contrast to the custom rig experience—which can range from 18 to 24 months for delivery due to the comprehensive design, engineering, and purchasing processes—stock trucks could be available for delivery much earlier, sometimes even immediately if they are already in stock.

Another factor driving interest in stock rigs is cost. The inherent economies of scale associated with stock production can lead to reduced purchase prices compared with fully customized units.

Visit www.rosenbaueramerica.com for more information.

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Cameron Macdonald
The Marin Independent Journal, Novato, Calif.
(TNS)

May 26—Southern Marin and Tiburon firefighters are employing a tool to alert drivers in case lights and sirens fail to do the job.

Using technology called Safety Cloud, a fire crew en route to an emergency can send alerts to nearby drivers announcing their approach through messages on the drivers’ smartphones or vehicle navigation systems.

The Southern Marin Fire Protection District recently installed the devices into their vehicles, Chief Chris Tubbs said.

“It’s safety for our firefighters and it’s safety for the community,” he said. “It’s really about reducing the risks out in the interstate and any roadway, but the freeways are where the higher risks are.”

The Southern Marin district covers about 25 square miles. Tubbs said the agency recently activated the technology and has not collected data on its early results.

Tubbs said it’s unlikely that Southern Marin crews will know which vehicles are getting the alerts and which ones are not.

The cost to activate the Safety Cloud technology for 24 vehicles was $1,200, said Kim Huff, a spokesperson for the Southern Marin district. The activation cost was split by the Tiburon and Southern Marin agencies, she said.

Both agencies’ annual service cost for the Safety Cloud system is $7,896, $4,277 of which is covered by the Southern Marin district, Huff said.

Tiburon Fire Protection District Chief Tommy Hellyer said his agency is working on getting the hardware to use the technology and plans to activate it next month.

“Sometimes they don’t hear the sirens, sometimes they don’t see the lights,” Hellyer said of drivers during emergencies. “I think that people are so conditioned to see their phones and their navigation systems in their vehicles, if this can provide that information to folks who are driving, then it’s safer for everyone.”

The product is made by HAAS Alert of Chicago. The alerts are delivered on seven platforms, including the Waze and Apple Maps apps, said Brock Aun, a company vice president.

Alerts also can be sent to certain vehicle models that have built-in mapping systems. Such vehicles include 2018 or newer Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler and Volkswagen models, Aun said.

Safety Cloud technology is being used by nearly 5,000 agencies worldwide, Aun said.

“Digital alerting significantly reduces the risk of collision, and responders really appreciate every layer of protection they can get on the road,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, toured the current fire station in Clinton Tuesday, May 27, 2025, and reviewed plans for a new station made possible by $2 million in congressionally-directed spending she secured through her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, according to a press release.

The existing 5,000-square-foot station is too small to support the needs of Clinton’s current fire and rescue operations and cannot accommodate the updated equipment the department plans to purchase.

“Touring the current fire station today gave me a clear picture of the challenges facing Clinton firefighters and EMTs to swiftly respond to emergency situations. I am so glad I could support Clinton’s first responders and residents with this funding for an upgraded facility, and I appreciate Deputy Fire Chief Travis Leary for sharing these plans with me,” said Collins.

Collins has secured nearly $45 million in congressionally-directed spending for 28 fire stations across the state since fiscal year 2022.

The post Clinton (ME) Receives $2M in Federal Funds for New Fire Station appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Alachua County is pleased to invite the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of Fire Station No. 21 (16121 NW 173rd St., Alachua), the county said in a press release. The event will take place on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10 a.m., with light refreshments served.

Alachua County Fire Chief Harold Theus will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Featured speakers include Alachua County Commission Chair Charles S. Chestnut IV, Alachua City Manager Mike DaRoza, and Alachua Mayor Walter Welch.

“This new facility underscores Alachua County’s ongoing investment in public safety,” said Fire Chief Theus. “It represents an important step forward in our commitment to providing life-saving services for our residents.”

Fire Station No. 21 is a state-of-the-art, 11,500-square-foot facility with a project cost of $7 million. Completed earlier this month, it is designed to serve the community for more than 50 years. The single-story, concrete masonry structure includes energy-efficient systems, sustainable design features, and 100% backup power generation, ensuring operational readiness in all conditions.

The Lunz Group of Lakeland provided architectural and engineering services, and D.E. Scorpio Corporation led construction management.

The post Alachua County (FL) to Host Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New $7M Fire Station May 30 appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Yonkers (NY) Mayor Mike Spano joined the Yonkers Fire Department Tuesday, May 27, 2025, for the blessing of six brand new pumper trucks — marking the city’s largest fire apparatus delivery in two decades, the city said in a Facebook post.

The six new pumpers were manufactured by US Fire Apparatus in Louisiana.

These new rigs will support fire suppression and emergency response across Yonkers, ensuring firefighters have the tools they need to protect lives and property, according to the post said.

“Thank you to the city council and all involved for making this investment in public safety possible,” the post said.

Under Spano’s administration, the city of Yonkers has secured 29 new ladder trucks, pumpers, and battalions, yonkerstimes.com reported.

Custom Pumper specs

FT-1054-59

• US Fire Apparatus Custom Chassis
• Cummins L9 450 HP Engine
• Allison 3000 EVS 5-Speed Transmission
• 50-Gallon Stainless Steel Fuel Tank
• Waterous CMU 1,500 GPM Pump
• 500-Gallon L-Shaped Water Tank
• 3/16″ Heavy Duty, Extruded Aluminum Body

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