According to a report from Discover Humboldt, the Watrous Fire Department (WFD) in Saskatchewan, Canada, has upgraded its fleet to now include a new Brush 5 Wildland Operations Vehicle. This new unit will replace the WFD’s 1976 dodge, also known as Engine 2.

The truck was purchased through Rural Municipalities within the WFD’s response zone. At just over $300,000, the F-550 Cabin Chassis offers a number of features including several storage compartments for equipment and the ability to accommodate five firefighters.

In addition, one of the exterior seats has a roll cage to prevent injury. Lastly, water nozzles adorn the front bumper to spray the perimeter of any grass fire.

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According to a report from Lake & McHenry County Scanner, the Waukegan (IL) Fire Department (WFD) has taken receipt of a new aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) truck to respond to the Waukegan Airport. The vehicle replaces the WFD’s current 30-year-old truck.

On Friday afternoon, the WFD held a dedication ceremony was held Friday afternoon at the Waukegan National Airport on 3530 North McAree Road.

The ceremony began with WFD Chief George Bridges, Jr. addressing attendees and members of the media.

Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham, Waukegan Port District Chairman Grant Farrell, and Waukegan National Airport General Manager Skip Goss also spoke at the event. Following their remarks, the WFD presented the new Rosenbauer Panther 6×6 ARFF truck.

The vehicle cost approximately $750,000 and replaced the WFD’s current ARFF truck, which was 30 years old and beyond economic repair. The truck was funded by the Waukegan Airport tenants and Waukegan Port District.

Following the ceremony, firefighters pushed the apparatus into the WFD Station #5, which is located on the airport property.

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According to a report from The Independent, Massillon (OH) Fire Department (MFD) Chief Tom Burgasser said he wants to land a new quint ladder truck for the MFD’s fleet prior to his upcoming retirement.

The cost of the truck is expected to be about $860,000, with around $740,000 of that coming from the city’s carryover funds.

Councilman Ed Lewis IV said the city’s stable financial situation should lessen concerns about the price of the vehicle, with the city’s carryover being about $3.4 million.

If acquired, the new engine will include a 30-gallon foam-extinguishing system and 75-foot aerial ladder.

Burgasser said the city would have had to spend $300,000 to $ 400,000 in repairs to save its old truck, which was lost in 2018.

The MFD currently runs four engines in its fleet.

Burgasser said a new truck will take between 10 and 12 months to build and customize. It could be delivered to the city as soon as early 2022.

City Council is scheduled to consider legislation Monday regarding the purchase.

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According to a report from 19News, the Cleveland (OH) Fire Department’s (CFD’s) apparatus fleet is causing concern among department members, jeopardizing the first responders’ ability to help in an emergency.

At Station 30 on Cleveland’s east side, CFD firefighters were forced to use a damaged apparatus because the city didn’t have any reserves available. Firefighters were working a car accident on I-90 early last week when a driver crashed into Ladder 30, heavily damaging a utility ladder on its side, breaking a tail light, and smashing in a few compartments. Cleveland Firefighters Union Francis Lally said that no member was injured in the crash, but the accident did shake their confidence in using Ladder 30 on future responses.

Regardless, Ladder 30 is back in position at Station 30, and there is no timeline as to when it will be fully repaired.

Lally says the CFD can’t take it out of service because there are no spares available to replace it, drawing attention to the long-time problem his crews have been mentioning for years. He also said that city leaders had listened at one point, purchasing a few new trucks in 2020. However, those vehicles are sitting around waiting for radio equipment to be installed.

It’s frustrating, because he says if the trucks were in operation his crews wouldn’t just have to make due in Ladder 30.

The CFD did not reply to a request for comment.

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