PRESS RELEASE

The city of Encinitas has made the decision to temporarily relocate firefighters from Fire Station 1 to Fire Station 3 out of an abundance of caution due to concerns about the building’s structural safety. This precautionary measure comes after a recent building inspection that pointed to potential risks that could compromise the safety of first responders and the community they serve.

“The safety of our firefighters is paramount,” said City Manager Pamela Antil. “After discussing the building inspection of Fire Station 1, we are taking swift action to ensure our team is not put at unnecessary risk.”

Firefighters and equipment from Fire Station 1, located at 415 Second Street, will be relocated to Fire Station 3, located at 801 Orpheus Avenue, while further investigations and repairs are conducted. The city is committed to minimizing any disruptions to emergency services during this period.

“The fire department wants to assure the public that this move will not affect our ability to respond to emergencies promptly,” added Fire Chief Joshua Gordon.

The city will do a thorough evaluation process to determine the extent of the necessary repairs. Depending on the findings, the city will either proceed with the required renovations or explore alternative solutions to ensure the long-term viability of Fire Station 1.

“Prior to my service on the City Council, Fire Station 1 was identified as a facility in need of rehabilitation. The findings of this recent building inspection underscore the urgency for the city to address concerns about seismic safety issues with the building and move forward with the essential improvements to ensure firefighter safety,” said Mayor Tony Kranz. “Our top priority is maintaining the highest level of service to our community while ensuring the safety of our personnel.”

In the meantime, fire service coverage in the area will continue through a coordinated effort with other nearby fire stations. The city will provide regular updates as new information becomes available.

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By Alan M. Petrillo

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are playing a more central part in fire suppression, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and other functions for fire departments, with some agencies setting up special operations units to handle aerial responsibilities. And with drone manufacturers continually improving their aircraft and the equipment they carry, departments are upgrading to more efficient, persistent, and technologically able unmanned aerial systems.

Michael Leo, captain of the Robotics Drone Unit at the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), says the department’s ded-icated drone unit operates Command Tactical Unit 1 (CCU-1), a GMC quad cab pickup truck staffed 24/7 by an officer, pilot/operator, and visual observer running out of Roosevelt Island. “We carry several different DJI drones and a Fotokite tethered drone that’s permanently mounted on top of CCU-1 for when we need persistent aerial operations,” Leo says.

CCU-1 carries a DJI M300 UAV with payloads that include a visual light camera with pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) capabilities, a thermal camera, a spotlight, and a speaker, Leo points out. It also carries a DJI M30T UAV with a visual light camera with zoom and wide-angle capabilities, a thermal camera, and a laser rangefinder to measure distance and identify GPS coordinates, he says. It also includes a DJI Mavic 3E, which is used mostly for mapping, and a DJI Avata, a small drone with a visual camera and spotlight that the FDNY uses for indoor aerial operations.

The FDNY also runs Car 11X, Leo’s command vehicle from which he manages airspace and deconflicts with other drone and helicopter agencies, and Command Tactical Unit 3, three utility terrain vehicles that each carry a DJI drone.

“Each mission is different,” Leo observes. “If we’re looking for someone missing in the water, we usually use the M300 because of its large spotlight and night vision sensors. For structure fires, we’ll fly the M30 and use its thermal sensors to track firefighters on a roof, track which way the fire is moving, identify hot spots for the crews, and identify firefighter escape routes. For night operations, we’ll use the M300 with its large spotlight that can light up an entire rooftop, use its infrared camera to check all four sides of a building, scan the scene, and give the incident commander a 360-degree picture of the situation.”

Leo notes that for a parking garage collapse in 2023, the FDNY used several different drones, including a ground robot. And, while on a recent crane fire, his drone team was able to fly a M30 to a position where it gave the incident commander (IC) views of the fire from above, below, and alongside. “The drone can fly between buildings where a helicopter can’t go, and our drone allowed firefighters to see how far and where their water stream was hitting on the crane,” he adds.

The Marietta Fire Department welcomed its new tower truck Friday, Oct. 11, mariettatimes.com reported.

The 2024 Sutphen SPH100 ladder truck will replace an apparatus the department purchased new in 1994, the report said.

The truck cost $1.7 million and the department was able to lock in the price in 2021, according to the report. If it were ordered now, it would cost around $2 million to $2.5 million, the report said.

“Our new ladder truck has arrived at the Marietta Fire Department Station 1,” the city of Marietta, Ohio said in a Facebook post. “Our current Tower 1 will be in service for a few more days while the crews are trained on the new equipment. The previous truck has been in service for 30 years and served us well. Thanks to all who made this possible.”

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173rd Fighter Wing leadership and Kingsley Field Fire and Emergency Services personnel pose in front of their newly acquired P-19 Ultra High-Pressure vehicle at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, 173fw.ang.af.mil.com reported.

The P-19 UHP utilizes a forward mounted turret rated at 300 gallons per minute at 1,250 PSI allowing firefighters to remain on scene for five minutes.

“Excited to have a new crash truck,” Kingsley Field Fire Department said in a Facebook post. “Crash 6 is in service.

“It’s not every day the Fire Department receives a new tool for fighting fires. The 173rd Fighter Wing received a new Airfield Firefighting Vehicle that uses ultra high pressure to help extinguish fires. This new asset allows them to stay on scene for five minutes with full suppression with both foam and water at the ready. The act of pushing the vehicle into the station signifies it is ready to serve the local Klamath Community.”

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SOUTH PLAINFIELD, New Jersey (Oct. 8, 2024) – First & Safety Services proudly announces the successful completion of their 2024 New Jersey Road Rally; three micro-shows that brought together over 500 attendees and showcased more than 40 emergency response apparatus across Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey. This year’s rally exemplified the company’s dedication to the fire service community so they can engage with the latest in apparatus design. Fire Safety Services is the exclusive New Jersey dealer for Pierce Manufacturing, Frontline Communications, BME Fire Trucks, Skeeter Emergency Vehicles, and Stonewell Bodies amongst other brands.

David Russell, President & Owner of First & Safety Services, stated, “Our New Jersey Road Rally is more than just a showcase of apparatus; it’s a testament to our commitment to the communities we serve. We are honored to bring together first responders, families, and municipalities to celebrate the vital role that these emergency vehicles play in our lives.”

The event featured stops at prominent firehouses, where attendees had the opportunity to engage with brand reps, F&SS sales reps, F&SS service management and certified technicians. Each stop was designed to focus on apparatus local to the area so that customers that are shopping for their next apparatus can experience capabilities firsthand. Departments had the chance to experience Pierce’s PACCAR engine via local driving routes and aerial operations.

“Seeing the turnout this year truly highlights the spirit of the fire service and where it is going today as far as how customers want to attend shows to experience the latest in the apparatus we help build,” Russell continued. “We’re grateful for the support of our partners and the enthusiasm of those who attended. The Road Rally would not have happened without the support of our loyal customers all over New Jersey especially Burlington Township Fire Department, Fairfield Fire Department and South Wall Fire & Rescue who were exemplary hosts from the first conversation to the clean up at the end of the night.”

As First & Safety Services continues to look ahead to future, the company remains committed to its mission of providing exceptional service and support to the New Jersey fire service and their

communities. The success of the Road Rally reaffirms the importance of continuous engagement and education across New Jersey.

For more information about First & Safety Services and upcoming events, please visit www.f-ss.com or contact sales@f-ss.com.