Camas-Washougal Fire Chief Nick Swinhart recently recalled his first encounters with Deputy Fire Marshal Randy Miller. Miller was one of the first people Swinhart met after being named fire chief in 2011. “He (invited) me out to lunch and wanted to know what I knew about fire sprinklers,” Swinhart said, laughing.
- PUB DATE: 2/11/2021 1:03:12 PM - SOURCE: Camas-Washougal Post-Record

By Alan M. Petrillo

The San Jose (CA) Fire Department (SJFD) has taken delivery of three Pierce Manufacturing heavy rescue trucks: two set up as urban search and rescue (USAR) rigs and the third as a hazardous materials response truck.

All three rescues are built on Pierce’s Velocity^® chassis and cab, with TAK-4^® independent front suspension and TAK-4 T3^™ rear steer independent suspension, powered by Cummins 600-horsepower (hp) X15 diesel engines and Allison 4000 EVS automatic transmissions, with Command Zone™ electrical systems.

Joe Crivello, SJFD’s battalion chief and USAR program manager, says San Jose’s USAR Rescue A (USR-A), housed in Station 34, carries an Iowa Mold Tooling crane with a 25-foot boom that’s capable of a lift of up to 13,073 pounds at full extension and 22,840 pounds up close. “There are two H-style outriggers on the truck that allow the boom its maximum reach of 25 feet,” Crivello points out. “We can use the boom as an anchor point for low-angle rescue; from above when on an overpass; or to perform a high lift on an unstable motor vehicle or structure, trees, or heavy debris. This boom meets the needs of some challenging calls that we’ve had in the past.”

Paolo Brito, a SJFD firefighter and rescue specialist, says that San Jose’s USR-A functions pretty much as a traditional rescue truck but with the addition of the knuckle boom at the rear. “It’s set up for motor vehicle rescues, technical rope rescues, and water rescues; basic life support emergency medical services; and basic truck operations, and it carries a full complement of rescue tools, including a 13-foot long rigid hull inflatable boat,” Brito notes. He also points out that the second heavy rescue SLFD got from Pierce, designated USR-B, “Is set up to augment USR-A and function more as a traditional USAR vehicle. The equipment it carries is set up to handle technical rescues for motor vehicle accidents; emergency building shoring, breaching, and breaking any type of construction material; trench or confined space rescue; truck operations; ground ladders; ventilation; and advanced life support emergency medical services. He notes that, together, both USARs are California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Type 1 heavy res

According to a report from CCX Media, the Plymouth (MN) Fire Department (PFD) has two large fire station construction projects underway.

First, Station 2 will be completely rebuilt after the current station is demolished. Second, Station 3 will be fully remodeled and expanded. The outdated buildings, combined with fire service changes, have affected the PFD’s daily operations.

The new stations will feature more overall room to accommodate full-time staff as well as needed technology and safety improvements. Construction will begin in May 2021, with a target completion date in the summer of 2022. During construction, the PFD will be fully operational at both stations.

Visit http://plymouthmn.gov/firestationprojects for more information.

The post Two Plymouth (MN) Fire Department Station Projects in the Works appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

According to a report from The Conway Daily Sun, some North Conway, New Hampshire, officials, such as those from the town’s Water Precinct, are receiving tours of the new $6.7 million North Conway Fire Department (NCFD) station being constructed next to Schouler Park.

Crystal Laliberte, executive vice president of REI Service Corp. of Concord and Sugar Hill, said she believes the station’s grand opening will be during the second half of May, with a target date of May 22 for a dedication ceremony, which would be one month sooner than expected.

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed business early last summer, which allowed work to proceed quickly once the former 1962-built brick station was razed on Norcross Circle. In addition, it was noted that the weather had cooperated and had not been as harsh until lately, allowed crews to place the roof on the structure and cover it with plastic to enable interior work to begin.

During construction, the NCFD is storing its vehicles in the equipment garage on Seavey Street.

The mezzanine will have a storage area as well as a training area, including three windows which firefighters will be able to use to practice placing a ladder; there will also be a forcible entry door to learn how to access a door to with force.

Silva said NCFD Chief Pat Preece’s office will be on the northeast corner of the the first floor, along with an office for Assistant Chief Chad McCarthy. It also has a conference room and administrative offices. Upstairs will be a training room, a kitchen, and three dorm rooms with a full bath.

A 48-foot hose tower extends to the basement; a floor drain in the tower’s base will capture water from the hoses. The basement will also have a mechanical room for the boilers and a fitness facility for members.

North Conway Water Precinct voters approved the new NCFD station at their annual precinct meeting in June 2020 by a vote of 45-3. The tax impact is expected to be approximately $53 per $100,000 valuation.

The post Construction on North Conway (NH) Fire Department Station Ahead of Schedule appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

According to a report from WKRG, Mobile, Alabama, Mayor Sandy Stimpson cut the ribbon on his town’s brand-new fire station in the city’s Spring Hill community.

The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department’s (MFRD’s) new Fire Station 18 was four years in the making. This state-of-the-art facility cost the city $2,500,000. A seemingly high amount, but consider that $225,000,000 goes into maintenance for all of the fire stations combined.

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This is the second “co-ed” fire station to be built in Mobile. MFRD Chief Jerem