A statement from Everett (WA) Fire Chief Dave DeMarco, which appeared on the department’s Facebook page.

The sight and sound of a fire engine in a community only means one thing: Help is coming. For the first time in 133 years, that was not true last week. The Fire Chief has provided the community with a detailed description of what happened, why, and what is being done to ensure that fire engines will always remain a symbol of neighbors helping neighbors in Everett.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 23, 2025

Mayor Franklin, Council, and our Everett Community,

Our city experienced a very serious event in which an unauthorized individual entered an idling fire engine, managed to put it in gear and then drove it away. First, we are incredibly relieved that there were no injuries to our residents, firefighters or police officers. However, there was significant damage to both private property and city equipment. The information below is intended to help the community understand this crime, our practices, and what can be done to prevent this from happening again in the future.

WHAT HAPPENED?

At approximately 10 p.m. on Friday, July 18th, Everett Fire Engine #1 and Paramedic Unit #1 were dispatched to a medical emergency at 2917 Hoyt. They arrived five minutes later and proceeded to the 5th floor of the building to find the affected patient. Our paramedics and EMTs worked with that patient until the issue was resolved. They spent approximately 60 minutes with the patient.

Once finished with the medical patient, they returned to the street to find their engine missing and the wheel chock smashed flat. At this same moment, Snohomish County 911 began to receive calls regarding a fire engine involved in a crash, and dispatchers began asking via radio if Engine 1 was involved; the Engine 1 crew quickly realized the fire engine had been stolen.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

Engine 1 had parked blocking Hoyt Avenue’s northbound lane of travel. The fire engine was placed in neutral, the parking brakes were applied, the emergency lights were left on, and the rear drive wheels were “chocked” (blocked with an immobilization device designed to prevent rolling) with a device rated to 70,000 pound fail weight. Engine 1, when fully loaded with equipment and water, weighs approximately 35,000 pounds.

Our fire engines are equipped with a keyless ignition system, which requires a specific sequence of switches and buttons to start and then place in gear—making it difficult for unauthorized individuals to operate. These are commercial vehicles built for very heavy loads and high-demand circumstances at all hours and in all weather conditions. They do not have ignition keys, nor do they operate like personal passenger vehicles.

The criminal had to defeat several steps to engage the drivetrain, release the brakes, and overcome the physical wheel chock.

WHY DID THIS HAPPEN?

We may never understand the criminal intent of the perpetrator.

Emergency vehicles are left idling for a variety of reasons. We prioritize rapid responses to emergencies, as timing is critical in medical and fire situations. Fire engines and ambulances are often left idling to power essential equipment and communication devices, enabling us to react immediately to the incident at hand and respond promptly to any further emergencies. They also idle to maintain temperatures and keep onboard batteries charged. Without idling, onboard batteries begin to drain, and eventually, the intelligent load manager will begin turning off the emergency lights, leaving the fire engine dark in the roadway. We park our vehicles strategically to protect the scene, our patients, and our emergency personnel, with emergency lights activated to alert and redirect approac

The Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department recently celebrated the new delivery of its Squad 29 custom built Pierce Enforcer pumper. According to patch.com, Chief Carson Brienza shares that the apparatus has been in the works for about five years.  

The new pumper is built on a Pierce Enforcer cab and chassis and is powered by a 450-hp Cummins L9 engine and Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission. It features a 2,000-gpm single-stage Waterous CSU pump and carries 750 gallons of water and 50 gallons of foam. The new fire apparatus also has a Husky 12 foam system. It can seat six firefighters. The new rig replaces a 1992 Pierce Lance pumper 

The new vehicle is designed to perform both fire and rescue functions and will go in service once all tool mounting is complete. 

The fire apparatus order was handled by Fire & Safety Services, the Pierce dealer for New Jersey. 

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In continuing support for their community’s initiatives of reducing emissions, Cary Fire Department welcomes its Pierce Volterra electric fire truck.

APPLETON, Wisconsin (July 24, 2025) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) business, is pleased to announce Cary Fire Department in North Carolina has introduced into service a Pierce® Volterra™ electric pumper, which is the first to be delivered on the East Coast. The order, secured by Pierce dealer Atlantic Emergency Solutions, reinforces Cary’s commitment to innovative and sustainable firefighting solutions. The new Pierce Volterra electric pumper is projected to help address the department’s CO² emissions, supporting Cary’s sustainability and resiliency goals.  

“Reliability is non-negotiable when it comes to public safety and is the foundation of every decision we make about fire response equipment,” said Fire Chief Mike Cooper of the Cary Fire Department. “That’s why we chose the Pierce Volterra EV. It delivers the performance and dependability we require while supporting Cary’s broader goals around sustainability and resiliency.”

Chief Cooper added, “As part of our long-term planning for apparatus replacement, we saw an opportunity to advance our sustainability and resiliency goals in a way that also strengthens our operations. We already have a history of utilizing Pierce’s Idle Reduction Technology across most of our front-line fleet, but the Pierce Volterra pumper allows us to go even further in helping reduce emissions and meet the expectations of an evolving, environmentally conscious community.”

Key Specifications of Cary Fire Department’s New Pierce Volterra Electric Pumper:

• Chassis: Enforcer™
• Water Tank: 500-gallon
• Seats: Six (6)
• Pump: Waterous 1500 GPM
• Power supply: 155kWh battery pack
• Alternate power supply: Cummins B6.7, 361HP
• Suspension: Pierce TAK-4^® Independent Front Suspension
• Safety Features: Pierce Frontal and Side Roll Impact Protection, HAAS Avoidance Collision Mitigation System

Notable Features: The onboard batteries enable the Pierce Volterra EV to operate fully on electric power. Should the battery power become depleted from extended operations, the Pierce Volterra pumper’s internal combustion engine seamlessly engages, allowing the fire truck to continue its mission. The operator can also easily manually transition between the two modes (electric or internal combustion-powered) on demand.

“The truck’s capabilities to seamlessly switch from battery to diesel were a requirement, and the fact it can be pre-programmed and changed between the two with a push of a button was very attractive. More than 90 percent of our calls will now be powered by electric response,” said Chief Cooper.

Aside from the Pierce Volterra pumper, many of the other fire trucks in Cary’s fleet feature Pierce Idle Reduction Technology, which adds batteries to power critical functions while helping manage fuel consumption and emissions.

“Our Atlantic Emergency Solutions team greatly values the long-standing relat

I made the following statements in the May 2025 “FA Viewpoints” column: “Can you explain in detail to the mayor or town board everything written in the specification? If not, you may lose their support. If you can’t prove or even understand what you’ve written, you shouldn’t have written it.” These statements warrant further discussion.

It doesn’t matter whether a generic (open) or proprietary purchasing specification was written. It is irrelevant if a fire department, dealer, or consultant penned the document. There’s no accusation that a document was poorly written. It is immaterial if it favors a preferred manufacturer or dealer or if it explicitly eliminates a certain product. It is the purchaser’s prerogative regardless of appropriateness or legality.

Expanding the Viewpoints Statements

If questioned by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), the apparatus purchasing committee (APC) or its designee should be able to justify the specification’s requirements. In layman’s terms, you should be able to explain exactly what was written. If asked why an item was specified, be prepared to answer in plain English.

Specificity is paramount in writing technical purchasing specifications. It is essential that the document fully particularizes the apparatus desired. There should be no doubt or questions in the minds of dealers and manufacturers (OEMs) about what the purchaser wants. Fire departments and dealers usually speak the same language. The AHJ may not. Be prepared to defend yourself.

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA)

NFPA 1900, Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles, Automotive Fire Apparatus, Wildland Fire Apparatus, and Automotive Ambulances, Section 3.2.2* defines the AHJ as: “An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation or a procedure.” It and its explanatory material in Appendix A, Section A.3.2.2 can be confusing, especially when complicated by commentators.

As an example, a slang expression I often use refers to the AHJ as “the people who authorize and sign the check for a fire truck.” However, paraphrasing Section A.3.2.2, the NFPA says the AHJ might also be an individual or entity responsible to ensure compliance. In most political subdivisions, the APC is the fire chief ’s agent. The chief then could be considered the AHJ ensuring compliance—yet does not formally authorize the purchase or actually sign the check. Chiefs are usually answerable to a governing body— the ultimate AHJ that authorizes actual payment. Confused yet? Accountability is seldom questioned unless “something bad happens” as a result of noncompliance.

CHANGING TIMES

Fire department purchases may no longer be approved carte blanche in political subdivisions. Nonfirematically oriented residents might be elected to and even compose the majorities on governing bodies such as city councils, village boards, and fire commissions. Some might not know or care about the differences between fire trucks and garbage trucks.

If taxpayer-elected representatives are in foul fiscal moods, it’s best not to communicate with them in terminology they don’t understand. Embarrassing them is not a good idea. Be capable of factually answering every question posed concerning your specifications. Sixty fire department members may vote for a set of purchasing specifications that’s unanimously approved by the APC. But, three out of five members of a governing board can torpedo the project.

PREPLAN

Firematic hazards such as the “big one” on Main Street or a train derailment at the end of town are not the only perils fire departments face. Forethought should be given to possible negative AHJ re

A Memphis (TN) Fire Department ladder truck caught fire at Interstate 40 Wednesday, July 23, 2025, wreg.com reported.

The fire department said no injuries were reported. The fire department said they will be releasing details as they become available.

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