MADISON WILLIS
Rapid City Journal, S.D.
(TNS)

The Rapid City Fire Department will celebrate the completion and dedication of the newly-expanded Station 1 in downtown Rapid City.

Following a ceremony that begins at 10 a.m., station tours will be available every half hour until 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, the department said in a release. The public is also invited to additional station tours on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.

RCFD Chief Jason Culberson told the Journal in April the ambitious undertaking marks a new era for the downtown firehouse.

“We’re excited to show off this building to the community. It’s something that they should be proud of, and we’re extremely thankful to the community for helping provide this absolutely stunning building,” Culberson said at the time.

The two-year project will more than double the station’s footprint, growing it from 19,000 square feet to 41,000 square feet. The project aimed to add new office spaces, dorm rooms, a workout area and clean zones designed to be free of carcinogens, addressing both the health and operational needs of the department.

RCFD Station 1

• Philanthropist Donates Wildland Engine
• Viroqua (WI) FD Holds Ribbon Cutting for New $9.5M Station
• City of Kent (OH) FD Holds Push-In for New Pumper

Rapid City Fire Department Chief Jason Culberson poses with the famous Dexter outside Fire Station 1 in Rapid City.

Per the department:

Construction on the Station 1 expansion began in February 2023. The original building, constructed in 1975, has long served as the department’s headquarters but had been in need of expansion for approximately 30 years. The updated facility has grown from 19,000 square feet to 41,000 square feet, providing much-needed space.

One of the most significant outcomes of this project is that the remodel and expansion consolidated all administrative functions into a single facility, improving communication, efficiency, and collaboration within the department.

“This project represents decades of hard work and planning coming to life,,” Fire Chief Jason Culberson said in the release. “Station 1 is more than just a building, it’s a reflection of our commitment to serving Rapid City with pride, professionalism, and preparedness for generations to come.”

© 2025 Rapid City Journal, S.D.. Visit www.rapidcityjournal.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post Rapid City (SD) Fire Department to Host Dedication Ceremony, Open House for Station 1 appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipme

Southern Colorado Wildland Fire officially put into service a brand-new Type 6 fire engine that was donated to the team, the department said in a Facebook post.

“We are beyond words for the incredible generosity and gift given to our team by Mary Barrowman of Teller County, Colorado, and her Prospect Home Care and Hospice Foundation,” the post said. “Not only will this fire apparatus be a game-changer for fire response and training across the SOCO partnership but reflects a belief that our long-term mission and purpose is worthy of such an investment.

“Thank you, Mary, for believing in us and we promise to utilize this new engine to serve the citizens of El Paso and Teller counties, the Pikes Peak region, and beyond, and be a catalyst that brings fire agencies together. Engine 2641, welcome to SOCO and to Wildland Fire!”

The post Philanthropist Donates Wildland Engine appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The City of Kent (OH) Fire Department held a push-in ceremony for a new pumper recently, the department said in a Facebook post.

The new engine, a Pierce, has a 1,500-gallon-per-minute pump and a 1,000-gallon water tank.

“Thank you to the community, retirees and current firefighters for coming out and helping with the pushing new Engine 2 ceremony,” the department said. “It is a fire service tradition that stems from the pushing of steam engines back into the firehouse after detaching the horses.”

Specifications

Chassis	Velocity®
Body	Pumper
Actual Overall Height	9′ 9″
Engine	Cummins X12
Horsepower	500 hp
Front Suspension	TAK-4® Independent Front Suspension
Rear Suspension	Spring
Electrical System	Command Zone™
Foam System	Husky™ 3
Pump	Waterous Midship
Pump GPM	1500 gpm
Tank	Foam Water
Tank Size	1000 gallons

The post City of Kent (OH) FD Holds Push-In for New Pumper appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Read the features and news on fire trucks and fire equipment from the November 2025 issue of Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment magazine.

The post FA Volume 30, Issue 11 appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

In this episode of Moving Water, Chris Mc Loone, Andy Soccodato, and Bill Adkins discuss preventive maintenance on water delivery equipment. From manifold appliances and nozzles to intake valves and tanker dump valves, the conversation lays out practical advice for keeping your apparatus fully operational. Here are some insights.

Saccedato emphasizes how vital it is to “exercise” valves—both internal and external intake valves—by routinely opening and closing them. This simple step prevents them from freezing or sticking due to lack of use. Many departments allow reserve rigs or seldom-used units to sit without functioning these critical components, which leads to stubborn, unreliable valves on the next call.

Nozzles also deserve attention. Soccodato says, “Regular maintenance should involve cleaning nozzles in soapy water, exercising the bales, and lubricating moving parts at least monthly. For combination fog nozzles exposed on bumpers or tailboards, this upkeep prevents clogs from road grime or debris. Adkins adds that training on proper disassembly and reassembly is essential; improper handling can cause operational failures at critical moments.

For tanker crews, the maintenance spectrum extends to dump valves. They caution that, in modern rigs using pneumatic or electric systems to operate dump chutes, regular exercising of these systems is even more critical. Failure to keep these components operational can leave a tanker unable to offload vital water supply during an incident, significantly hampering scene operations.

One of the lesser-known tips shared on the podcast concerns “front flushing” your pump. Unlike the common practice of back flushing, front flushing involves capping off discharges and pre-connects, then opening the tank-to-pump valve and discharge valve along with the drain valve to force water through the drain tubes and valves.

The post Moving Water: Appliance and Manifold Preventive Maintenance appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.