According to a report from WJLA, approximately 20 percent of DC Fire & EMS workers (DCFEMS) are requesting a exemption to avoid a mandate requiring city employees to get vaccinated against COVID. The figure comes from the office of Mayor Muriel Bowser. The requests represent the vast majority of religious exemption requests across Washington, D.C.

Out of the 475 requests for vaccine exemption across the city, 419 work for DCFEMS, which employs 2,124 members.

Despite many DCFEMS employees already being vaccinated, hundreds still have not reportedly still received a shot. Bowser said that should change.

The city is requiring firefighters and other health care workers to receive at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot by September 30. If they don’t, they face potential disciplinary action.

Those DCFEMS workers who receive the exemptions can submit weekly negative COVID tests in lieu of receiving the vaccine. Other D.C. government workers were required to be fully vaccinated by September 19.

Some firefighters have pushed back against the city’s mandate, saying they would accept a compromise they consider less strict.

A fire truck responding to an Orange County (FL) house fire was involved in a crash early today, reports clickorlando.com. The crash happened on Goldenrod Road near State Road 408.

The fire broke out around 1 a.m. in the 4000 block of Sansevieria Lane, southeast of Orlando, the report says. Fire officials say flames and smoke were visible from the roof, but firefighters extinguished it. There was visible damage to the home, but no injuries were reported.

No other details have been released.

South Carolina man John Russell Hendrix Jr. has been charged with DUI after he crashed a fire truck, reports the AP.

Police officials say the 36-year-old Hendrix was operating a Starr Fire Department apparatus when it went off the road and flipped over on 1st Street Monday evening. The report gave no reason as to why Hendrix was operating the vehicle.

Neither Hendrix, his passenger, nor any civilians were hurt, according to the report.

A vandal last week attempted to steal the emergency strobe lights from a Coral Springs-Parkland (FL) Fire Department apparatus but ended up damaging it, reports .

The unidentified suspect broke the front grill tabs on the white, unmarked 2014 Ford Escape last Monday, the report says, and damaged its emergency LED lights and wiring.

The estimated cost of the damage was $750.

An investigation is underway.

HOLDEN, LA – September 21, 2021 – Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc., a subsidiary of REV Group^® and a leading manufacturer of custom built, heavy-duty fire apparatus, announces the purchase order for a fleet of 12 new units to Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service in Alabama.

“Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service is dedicated to providing rapid, reliable, and professional emergency services to the citizens and stakeholders of Birmingham,” said Cory D. Moon, Fire Chief, Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service. “Getting these new and updated apparatus from Ferrara is an important part for us to fulfill our mission.”

“We’re excited to partner with Birmingham Fire & Rescue and thank them for their confidence in our team and our products,” said Jason Louque, Director of Sales, Ferrara. 

The order includes nine Ferrara Igniter^® LFD cabs with 102″ wide extruded aluminum bodies and features:

• Cummins^® L9 450-hp engine
• Allison 3000 EVS™ transmission
• Bostrom^® seats
• Waterous^® 1500 gpm pump
• Waterous Aquis™ foam system
• FRC^® Pump Boss pressure governor
• 500-gallon water tank
• 30-gallon foam concentrate cell
• Whelen^® emergency warning lights

Additionally, Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service has ordered two Ferrara Igniter MVP’s with XMFD cabs and extruded aluminum 103″ MVP bodies which feature:

• Cummins L9 450-hp engine
• Allison 3000 EVS transmission
• Bostrom seats
• Waterous 1500 gpm pump
• FRC Pump Boss pressure governor
• Three speedlays with two 1.75-inch and one 2.5-inch connections
• TFT Monsoon Series electric monitor
• 750-gallon water tank
• 50-gallon foam concentrate cell
• Waterous Aquis foam system
• 10 KW Harrison generator 
• Command Light Knight Series with six-head configuration

Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service also ordered one Ferrara Inferno cab 77′ ladder with extruded aluminum body and features:

• Cummins X-12 500-hp engine
• Allison 4000 EVS transmission
• Bostrom seats
• Waterous 1500 gpm pump
• Waterous Aquis foam system
• 400-gallon water tank
• 30-gallon foam concentrate cell
• Whelen emergency warning lights
• 10 KW Harrison generator

“When it comes to configuring our fire apparatus, the safety of the citizens we serve, and the safety of our personnel is our top priority,” stated Moon.

The fleet of 12 Ferrara units will replace Birmingham’s older apparatus as a part of its apparatus replacement plan. Purchased at Williams Fire Apparatus in Ashland, Alabama, the trucks will also help the department remain compliant with NFPA 1901 standards.

“Ferrara and Williams Fire are respected and trusted in the Fire Apparatus industry,” concluded Moon. “We appreciate and value our partnership with them.”

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About Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc.

Ferrara™, a subsidiary of REV Group (NYSE: REVG), builds custom, heavy-duty fire apparatus for municipal and industrial fire departments. Located in Holden, Louisiana, Ferrara is focused on protecting firefighting personnel with a custom chassis line and extruded aluminum body that exceeds NFPA and industry safety requirements. For over 30 years, Ferrara has led performance standards by delivering custom-engineered fire trucks that provide maximum response capabilities.

About REV Group, Inc.

REV Group^® companies are leading designer