On September 10, I sat down at 3 p.m. and turned on CSPAN-3 to watch a Senate subcommittee hearing about how manufacturers are impacting fire department readiness. I watched it because a lot of what we’ve been reading and, for me, writing about for the past few years has been about lead times and costs. I figured we would get concrete answers on this. A fire chief and the general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) testified, citing lead times and costs as undermining firefighter safety. And, they’re right. If our rigs are out of service or malfunctioning at the scene because we can’t afford either the cost or the wait for new rigs, firefighter safety is absolutely compromised. But, the clarity I hoped for didn’t crystallize, and I began to wonder if this was really about firefighter safety or about business.
Another witness at the hearing was an antitrust lawyer—the person, in fact, who got all this rolling. He asked good questions and made good points. And if the core of all this is about unfair business practices or antitrust law violations, that is one thing. And if that’s what it’s about, personally, I’d rather be left out of it as a firefighter.
There are many sides to what we are experiencing right now. Does the amount of time it takes to get a rig potentially compromise firefighter safety? Yes. But, another question is: How are our fleets being maintained? At the municipal government level, are our requests for new rigs being turned down because the first thing cut from a budget is an apparatus purchase? Did poor past decision-making lead to the crisis a fire department may now be facing that coincides increased lead times and costs? Because all of those things can also lead to a comprise of firefighter safety.
If there is concern in the business world that there are antitrust concerns about fire apparatus manufacturers—businesses—then investigate them. Leave the fire service out of it. Are you saying that there isn’t enough choice in the market? If you break up the brands owned by one company, will that increase your choices, or will it decrease your choices? Filter out the bombast of the hearing and pay attention to the facts.
I do not believe any fire service apparatus or equipment supplier would willingly and intentionally put anyone at risk. I have visited their facilities and company presidents all the way down to the person who tightens the last screw on whatever the product is consider themselves part of the life-saving process, and they take it personally if there is a failure of the device that leads to an injury or death.
Fire apparatus are the big-ticket items. Besides possible new station construction, fire apparatus are the most expensive investments we make. They are naturally going to get attention when we talk about costs. But, where will the Senate stop? There is consolidation in other areas of the fire service. If you go after one area, doesn’t that mean you have to go after another one? And if so, and if the argument for the other companies isn’t firefighter safety, then is this about firefighter safety, or is it about business practices? If it’s about business practices, fine. Just leave the fire service out of it.
Resources
FAMA Forum: Apparatus Industry Insights
Fire Apparatus Purchasing in 2025
Understanding the State of Fire Apparatus Manufacturing
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Posted: Sep 11, 2025
The Houston Fire Department (HFD) welcomed a new $1.5 million ladder truck in June but it’s sitting in an empty city parking lot because it doesn’t fit inside the station it was assigned, abc13.com reported.
Three years ago, HFD requested a new ladder truck to replace the one firefighters had been using for several years at Station 61.
When the new truck arrived this June, fire officials say, the new truck was too tight for firefighters to get in and out of safely, the report said.
Officials with the city and HFD said the mistake won’t impact public safety, according to the report. The plan now is to renovate the fire station so that the truck will fit.
HFD sent the following statement, according to the report:
“The Houston Fire Department received a new ladder truck on June 9 intended for Fire Station 61. While the ladder truck fits in the bay door, the clearances are narrow, and when combined with the grade of the driveway, it is currently unfeasible to keep the ladder truck in service at this location. We are working with the General Services Department to reconstruct the bay door and provide safer clearance for the new apparatus. Once construction is completed, Station 61 will receive the new ladder truck. The current ladder truck will remain at the station so response is not interrupted.”
The post New $1.5M Ladder Truck Too Big to Fit in TX Station appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.
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Posted: Sep 11, 2025
Parsippany (NJ) fire districts 1, 3 and 6 will unite to hold a quadruple wetdown ceremony 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at 6 Century Drive in Parsippany.
Mount Tabor Fire District No. 1, Lake Parsippany Fire District No. 3, and Parsippany Fire District No. 6 will show off four new rigs from E-ONE and Absolute Fire Protection Company, Inc.
• Engine 15 and Tower 11 will be welcomed by the Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department (District 1).
• Tower 6 from Parsippany Troy-Hills Fire District 6.
• Engine 34 from Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Company District 3.
Here’s what will be happening at the event:
This is a community-wide celebration of safety, service, and brotherhood—come out and support your local firefighters.
Bring the family, bring your crew, and bring your thirst.
The post Three Parsippany (NJ) Fire Districts Unite to Hold Quadruple Wetdown appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.
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Posted: Sep 11, 2025
The Huntington Fire Department broke ground on the new Flaxmill Road fire station recently, following a city council vote Aug. 26, 2025, giving the project final approval, the city said in a press release.
“This new station will enable our dedicated firefighters to respond to our growing north side with greater speed and efficiency, while still maintaining quick access to our downtown and east side neighborhoods,” Chief Tony Johnson said. “Designed with firefighter health and safety as a top priority, the facility includes clearly defined zones that separate the apparatus bay from the living quarters, ensuring a healthier and safer environment for our crews.”
The new station’s location is 1005 Flaxmill Road in northwest Huntington on a nearly three-acre site the city purchased in 2008 with the intent to build a fire station.
The need to replace the aging Condit Street station has only increased since then. Now nearly 50 years old, the current station on Huntington’s east side is outdated and overcrowded.
The new two-story, 17,750-square-foot Flaxmill Road station is designed to meet the department’s modern operational needs, with a focus on firefighter safety, rapid response and advanced training.
Features will include:
- A location near major thoroughfares and growing residential and industrial areas, improving response times citywide.
- Advanced air filtration and decontamination systems to protect firefighters after emergency calls.
- Positive pressure air locks to separate the fire bay from living quarters, minimizing exposure to contaminants and potential carcinogens.
- A dedicated training tower for realistic fire and rescue simulations.
- Expanded, modernized living quarters, administrative offices and community meeting spaces.
- Capacity for eight on-duty firefighters and four administrative staff, ensuring 24/7 readiness.
The total project cost is estimated at $12.6 million. The city will spend approximately $3 million in available cash-on-hand and issue lease bonds through the Huntington Redevelopment Authority to cover the remaining cost.
Foundation and other site concrete work will be completed first, with building construction to begin early next year. The new station’s grand opening is currently on track for late 2026.
Financial planning has been overseen by consultants from Baker Tilly to ensure a responsible spending plan. The city worked with architects from Shive Hattery to design the new station, with Weigand Construction set to begin foundation work after the groundbreaking.
The existing Condit Street station will remain operational throughout construction. The city is still determining the future use of that building that will best serve the community.
The Huntington Fire Department will continue to operate its south side station on Etna Avenue during and after the project.
The post IN Fire Department Breaks Ground on New $12.6M Station appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.
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