SAM MCLAUGHLIN
The Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff
(TNS)

Three Coconino County firefighting agencies received grants from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) this week.

The Ponderosa and Tusayan Fire Districts each received funding to purchase a new Type 6 wildland fire engine, and the City of Williams Fire Department received funds for extrication tools and radio equipment upgrades.

“DFFM has been great for providing resources to districts and departments,” Ponderosa Fire District Chief Lee Antonides said. “We were very fortunate that we were selected.”

The engine purchases were made possible by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs previously allocated a portion of Arizona’s ARPA funding to DFFM, which awarded $4.9 million to 15 local fire agencies in this latest round of grants.

The Ponderosa Fire District, which serves Bellemont, Parks and other neighboring communities, currently has one Type 6 wildland firefighting engine. Built on a pickup truck chassis, and sometimes called “brush trucks,” Type 6 engines typically carry up to 300 gallons of water.

Highlands Fire hosts event to encourage fire readiness

The Highlands Fire District hosted a wildfire preparedness day at its station in Mountainaire on Saturday, April 26, bringing together county and federal partners to emphasize the importance of a proactive approach to northern Arizona’s fire season.

“We oftentimes send vehicles out, apparatus out for out-of-district responses,” Antonides said. “This allows us to duplicate resources and provide better coverage.”

The new truck has been ordered, and the district is expecting delivery within three to five months, according to Antonides. The cost of the specialized vehicle is approximately $120,000.

Greg Brush, chief of the Tusayan Fire District, said, “We have, currently, a 2002 wildland engine. This is definitely going to be an upgrade.”

“Having a vehicle that’s 23 years old,” he added, “we do a lot of repairs.”

Their existing engine had been out of commission for at least four months out of the past two years, he estimated.

The district might keep the old truck around as a backup, but hasn’t reached a formal conclusion just yet.

“We’re out of space in our current facility to house both year-round,” Brush noted.

When the new engine arrives, likely in around two months, the district board will make a decision.

Brush credited the district’s chief of administration, Kate Johnson, for her work navigating the grant application process.

“It is really hard to get a new fire engine,” he said.

Other Coconino County districts have received ARPA-funded grants from DFFM in previous years, including the Blue Ridge and Mormon Lake fire districts. Blue Ridge used that funding to acquire a new tactical water tender, and Mormon Lake purchased a new Type 3 wildland fire engine. (Type 3 engines are larger and carry more water than a Type 6.)

In addition to the ARPA funding for new vehicle purchases, DFFM awarded a total of $80,000 in Rural Fire Capacity grants — available to fire districts serving rural communities of 10,000 residents or fewer — to 13 agencies.

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In this episode, host Chris Mc Loone welcomes Kevin Sofen, who shared his profound insights on the evolving landscape of the fire service, particularly in the realm of technology. With both having attended the FDIC International 2025 event, Sofen’s observations shed light on how the fire service is not only open to change but is also actively seeking innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency and safety.

Technology has undeniably transformed many industries, and the fire service is no exception. At FDIC 2025, events such as the Next Gen Fire Rescue Tech Summit showcased the latest advancements aimed at improving firefighting operations. Sofen played a pivotal role in facilitating important discussions and bringing various forms of technology into the spotlight, emphasizing that the fire service’s readiness to adopt new methodologies is more pronounced than ever.

One of the key takeaways from Sofen’s discussion was the importance of simplicity in adopting new technology. He articulated that any technological solution must not only be efficient but also user-friendly. Firefighters operate in high-pressure environments; thus, technology introduced during emergencies needs to be intuitive and reliable.

The discussions at FDIC International 2025 highlighted the fire service’s growing eagerness to adopt new technologies, moving beyond resistance to a more action-oriented approach in response to contemporary challenges. From integrating advanced drones and wearable tech to harnessing the power of AI, the conversations reflect a foundational shift in how technological innovations are shaping the future of firefighting.

The post Technology and the Fire Service with Kevin Sofen appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The Forest (VA) Volunteer Fire Department introduced its new $2 million Tower Five ladder truck Sunday, May 4, 2025, the department said in a Facebook post.

The new rig is a Seagrave aerialscope.

This $2 million project was deemed necessary to accommodate the growing needs of the Forest community, wset.com reported.

The new ladder truck has 264 feet of ladders, increased equipment storage, and improved braking capabilities, the report said.

Half of the project’s funding, $1 million, was provided by the county, according to the report. However, the Forest Volunteer Fire Department is seeking community support to raise the remaining funds.

The post Forest (VA) VFD Introduces New $2M Tower Five Ladder Truck appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

BRASELTON, Georgia (May 1, 2025) — The West Jackson Fire Department (WJFD) is excited to announce a significant enhancement to its emergency response capabilities. Starting Sunday, May 4, 2025, Engine 31 will be fully staffed with a dedicated crew of three Firefighter/EMTs, bringing the department’s frontline apparatus to two engines and one ladder truck. This crucial addition will allow WJFD to better serve the growing needs of the district, which includes Braselton and Hoschton in western Jackson County.

Engine 31, a 2023 Toyne, was initially purchased in 2023 as part of the department’s proactive fleet replacement program. It has served as a valuable backup apparatus at Station 1. Thanks to the recent hiring of three additional firefighter positions, WJFD is now equipped to fully staff this vital piece of equipment.

Last month marked another record high in emergency calls for the West Jackson Fire District, according to Chief Ben Stephens. Call volume is 13% higher than the previous year, a trend that continues to climb month after month. Since this time in 2020, emergency calls have increased 41%.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Fire Board for their continued support and for providing us with the resources necessary to keep pace with the increasing demand for our services. Staffing Engine 31 is a direct result of their commitment to excellent public safety,” Chief Stephens said.

Engine 31: A Strategic Addition to Station 1

Engine 31 is a “sister” engine to the existing Engine 32. Until now, it has been utilized on an alternating basis as the department awaited funding necessary to support its full-time staffing at Station 1. This strategic deployment at Station 1 will immediately enhance response times and firefighting capabilities within the district.

Looking toward the future, Engine 31 is also slated to become a key component of the planned future Station 3. This forward-thinking approach ensures that resources are strategically positioned to meet the evolving needs of the Braselton and Hoschton community as western Jackson County continues to grow.

The addition of a fully staffed Engine 31 represents a significant step forward for WJFD in its ongoing commitment to providing the highest level of emergency services to the residents and businesses of the West Jackson Fire District. We are proud to welcome the additional firefighters to our ranks and look forward to the enhanced protection this new staffing will provide.

The post West Jackson (GA) FD Adds Fully Staffed Engine appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The Blucher Aberdeen Volunteer Fire Department has a new custom-built wildland fire truck designed to combat grass fires, paherald.sk.ca reported. Nutrien donated $50,000 toward the $350,000 truck. Another $25,000 was contributed by KPCL Dirt Movers.

The rig can go off road and was designed for a Canadian environment, a fire official said.

“The Blucher Aberdeen Volunteer Fire Department plays a crucial role in supporting emergency response and preparedness across the rural communities surrounding Patience Lake potash operation, as well as nearby Nutrien retail locations,” Nutrien said in a Facebook post. “To strengthen their emergency response efforts, we’ve supported the department with a new wildland fire truck, reinforcing safety and support across the community.”

Nutrien is a leading global provider of crop inputs and services, according to its Web site. It operates a world-class network of production, distribution, and ag retail facilities that positions the company to efficiently serve the needs of farmers.

“Nutrien Ag Solutions and KPCL Dirt Movers and all our donors have done a great service to our community,” Blucher Abderdeen VFD said in a Facebook post.

The post Blucher Aberdeen (Canada) VFD Gets New Wildland Fire Truck with Help from Donations appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.