Florence County (SC) is getting ready to order up to 19 new fire apparatus to update a fleet that includes 30-year-old fire trucks, according to a report published by the website SCNOW.com.

Recently, the Florence County Unified Fire District council considered authorizing a grant and a third penny sales tax to make the apparatus purchase, according to the website.

The plan includes two new tanker trucks and two rescue trucks for Hannah-Salem-Friendfield, a new rescue truck and a new ladder truck for Johnsonville, two engines, two tankers and two rescues for Howe Springs, two engines for West Florence, one engine for Sardis-Timmonsville, one engine for Olanta, and two brush trucks for Windy Hill.

Video via ABC News

Country music star Reba McEntire had to be evacuated on a fire ladder from a second-story window after a staircase collapsed in an old building Tuesday afternoon in Atoka (OK), reports ABC News.

“While my team and I were in Atoka, OK yesterday checking out an old historical building, a staircase collapsed,” she said on Twitter. “Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. We were safely evacuated from the building thanks to the quick response from the Atoka fire and police departments.”

McEntire was in town checking out the 100-plus-year-old building for a potential project.

Officials say the stairwell between the second and third stories collapsed—falling onto the first-to-second-floor stairs and trapping people. The fire department had to help people out via the second-story window.

While my team and I were in Atoka, OK yesterday checking out an old historical building, a staircase collapsed. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. We were safely evacuated from the building thanks to the quick response from the Atoka fire and police departments.

— Reba McEntire (@reba) September 15, 2021

A $763,000 federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant will help the Bellefontaine (OH) Fire Department purchase a 100-foot platform aerial, according to a report published by PeakofOhio.com.

According to the website the aerial the department has currently was bought in 1995 and was purchased with funds from a one percent income tax.

The fire chief told the city councilors there were six manufacturers that could build the truck to fit into the fire station and the department is looking to get competitive bids for the new truck, according to the report, adding that the department hopes to have the truck in service within a year.

Pierce’s ownership interest in Boise Mobile Equipment strengthens collaboration in the wildland market and transitions BME to an independent dealer distribution model.

APPLETON, Wis. (September 16, 2021) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, announced today that it has completed the purchase of an ownership interest in Boise Mobile Equipment (BME). This investment will facilitate greater collaboration between Pierce and BME within the wildland fire market. Furthermore, Pierce will support BME as the business moves from a factory-direct model to an independent dealer distribution model, with a focus on the West Coast, which will provide new and existing BME customers with comprehensive service, parts inventory, and support.

“This is an important day for both Pierce and BME customers,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “We understand that fire and rescue departments face special challenges related to wildland environments. With this investment, Pierce will work with BME to provide the best possible wildland offerings to meet these unique challenges. And of equal importance is our ability to create an unmatched network of highly trained dealer organizations who are prepared to provide best-in-class service and support for the wildland customers.”

BME has served fire and emergency professionals for over thirty years and is considered a premier fire apparatus manufacturer with wildland products including the Model 34, Tactical Tender, and Type 6 Xtreme. BME’s quality fabrication and service align closely with Pierce’s manufacturing and aftermarket standards, featuring individualized design options, exceptional craftsmanship, and rugged durability.

“Boise Mobile Equipment opened its doors in 1990 and has been manufacturing and serving firefighters since then,” said Chad Moffat, president of Boise Mobile Equipment. “We believe the fire service will benefit from the high-quality wildland products that Pierce and BME will be working together to market and develop. We look forward to leveraging Pierce’s expertise as we transition from a direct sales model to a dealer distribution model.”

BME wildland products are renowned for equipping firefighters with a high-quality apparatus providing durability, serviceability, and longevity. Pierce Manufacturing and its parent company, Oshkosh Corporation, complement BME’s reputation with a rich history of innovation and advanced mobility solutions, ideal for addressing the harsh wildland environments.

“For those departments who respond to wildland situations, the BME product line is well-known for its versatility in the most challenging environments,” added Johnson. “Moreover, Boise Mobile Equipment is a highly reputable and proven brand. When combined with our experience in developing a market-leading dealer support network and unmatched innovation track record, fire departments and those they protect will be the biggest beneficiaries of this new relationship.” To learn more about Pierce Manufacturing and the company’s ownership interest in BME, visit www.piercemfg.com.

By Bill Adams

Past-their-prime players in the fire service really appreciate good-looking rear ends—it’s probably because we no longer get to see them up close. There are several ways old timers can get a good look at them; many discreetly steal a second glimpse over their shoulders, others slowly but purposefully glance back, some just stop and stare. Often, they’ll reminisce to themselves: Wow—look at that one! or That’s put together rather well. Some white hairs will lament they’re not as activeas they used to be.

Sometimes they’ll compare nice ones to ones that are not so nice. Some rear ends just aren’t built right. Some are old and are wearing out. One side or the other might sag a bit. Older ones may not be as good looking as the newer models. Snap out it—I’m talking about fire trucks!

At the 2021 Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), I had the opportunity to look at a lot of rear ends on pumpers. Rear ends are the working end of a fire truck—also called the back end or rear panel. Most include a rear step or tailboard which manufacturers today call by politically correct terms such as the rear work platform and rear bumper.