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Posted: Aug 8, 2017

Mississippi Industries for the Blind Fire Shovel and McLeod Rake Tools Are Built to Last

Mississippi Industries for the Blind (MIB) now offers American-made, professional-grade fire shovels and McLeod rake tools to the public.  For years, the forestry fire hand tools were manufactured by MIB and only available to forestry professionals and firefighters via a contract between MIB and the U.S. Forestry Service.

The McLeod Tool and Fire Shovel have a wide variety of uses such as for constructing fire lines or other forms of wildfire suppression, or for shaping a trail’s back slope or erosion control.  These tools are designed to be reliable, efficient, and able to withstand wear.

MIB manufactures the forestry fire hand tools in its facility in Mississippi under an ISO 9000 certified quality system. Its employees oversee the robotic welding required to manufacture the McLeod rake tool, which is made of hardened, high-grade steel.  The fire shovel has a hardened, steel forged head and all assembly, drilling and riveting is also completed in house.

MIB is a non-funded agency of the state of Mississippi with a mission to train and employ those who are blind or visually impaired to promote independence and self-reliance in all aspects of their lives.

There are many misconceptions about the capabilities of the blind and visually impaired. As a result, the unemployment rate for this population is very high.

Mississippi Industries for the Blind (MIB) is a leading employer of the blind and at least 75 percent of its employees are blind and/or visually impaired.

The company has manufactured products for the U.S. Forestry Service (USFS), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA) and others.

More info: http://www.msblind.org/firetools/

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Posted: Aug 8, 2017

Video: Preserved 1950s Era American LaFrance 700 Series Pumper

The Bishop (CA) Fire Department placed an order for this American LaFrance 700 Series closed-cab pumper. It has approximately 7,000 original miles, and becuse of the department's meticulous preservation--from its original pain to its polished chrome, many consider it not only a perfect reference vehicle for those wanting to restore 1950s era 700 Series pumpers, but also one of the nicest preserved examples of this type of pumper around.

The video comes courtesy of the Sherbrook Fire Buffs.

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Posted: Aug 8, 2017

Round Rock Home Turned Fire Station Improving Response Time

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS - The city of Round Rock got creative to fix the problem of fire service being cut off to more than 4,000 homes. After learning about the closure of Old Settler's bridge over I-35 for renovations, city officials decided to turn a residential home into a fire station.

The city already owned the two and a half acres, with hopes to build a new future fire station. But plans changed after they saw the 3,000 square foot home.


"We came over and got to looking around... Once we walked through the house, it just really jumped out that this could be a fire station,” said Isbell. "All the stars aligned and this place happened."


Isbell gave KVUE a tour of the new fire house Monday.


"To have a really nice big dining area with a fire place, with windows that open that you can see the creek, that really adds to the ambiance,” said Isbell.


The home has a weight room and locker room.


"We brought over lockers from one of the old stations that we had,” said Isbell.


There are offices, bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area and bedrooms.


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Posted: Aug 8, 2017

Family Connection Fuels Restoration of 1924 Fire Engine

It takes special people to find what needs to be found. In the case of Jack Moss it was a 1924 American LaFrance 75 Type Pumper. The fire apparatus carried a hose and even discharged water. "He lived and breathed this stuff," said Dirk Hedges of the McKinney Fire Department.

Jack Moss finally found the 1924 American Le France. It had been auctioned off and was being used as transport for lumber. Moss found it in the early 70's and slowly rehabbed it.

"This for him, represents the soul of service," said Ron.


Dirk Hedges with the McKinney Fire Department, with the help of the Texas Fire Museum, were instrumental in bringing the old engine back to life. It would take several years to finally make happen.


"It will always be for me my Mona Lisa," said Ron.


Just as the whole project was coming together Jack died last year. It was a little more than a year after it was finally complete and returned the McKinney Central Station.


"I think he would say it was all worth it ," Ron said envisioning what his father would say.


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Posted: Aug 8, 2017

Meltham Firm Supplies Fire Engines to Gibraltar Airport

Futuristic fire engines built by a Meltham-based firm are set for service at Gibraltar Airport following a £2.5m deal. Emergency services equipment firm Rosenbauer UK is to supply four high-tech air crash trucks to the airport in early 2018.

The Panther trucks, incorporating Euro 6 engines, include a “Stinger” machine with a high reach extendable turret capable of throwing water more than 100 metres at a rate of 6,000 litres a minute. The fire engines will be stationed at the airport for fire crews to use in emergency response situations.


 
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