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Posted: Aug 20, 2025

NJ Department Goes with Tender Engine to Increase Tank Capacity

Apparatus Ideas Bob Vaccaro

The Tabernacle (NJ) Fire Department protects 49.12 square miles and a residential population of about 7,000. Tabernacle Township is located in the South Jersey pines region in a mostly residential area.

Tabernacle also has some industrial and commercial buildings, State Highway Route 206 and County Highway Route 532, three major school complexes, a large section of the Wharton State Forest, strip shopping centers, and a large nonhydranted area.

Deputy Chief John Gajderowicz says, “The fire department tries to have an apparatus replacement program of about 10 years, but it depends on funding, as most departments grapple with in this day and age. Our truck committee was formed three years ago but was pushed back eight months for various reasons. Committee cochairman Lieutenant Cuyler Vena and I worked on the specs with input from various department firefighters.”

He continues, “The department was replacing a 1993 [unit], and we wanted more water to be carried, so we designed a pumper-tender. The rig would respond first due in our response district and because of sometimes long responses (½ hour or more), we wanted to have sufficient water on hand to begin a sustained attack on a fire until additional resources arrived.”

“To make it stronger, we designed the vehicle with a stronger frame and a spring rear suspension instead of an air suspension. We looked at several manufacturers but went with Pierce because of previously purchased vehicles.”

“Commonality was a concern for training our firefighters, so this made things easier,” Gajderowicz says. “We purchased through the HGAC program, which really made things easier for us and quicker, especially in this day and age of long apparatus delivery times. Plus, we could purchase the type of vehicle and choose the manufacturer we wanted.”

Some other improvements were side and rear dump valves and high brow lights that provide brighter lighting on long, dark roads. The department gained 1,000 gallons of water, and a lower hosebed. The hose carried is as follows: 300 feet of 3-inch, 1,090 feet of 5-inch, and 200 feet of 2½-inch with 300 feet of 2½-inch dead load on top. Preconnects consist of two 200-foot lengths of 1¾-inch, two 250-foot lengths of 1¾-inch, with a dead load of 500 feet of 1¾-inch.

The department also gained compartment space. All compartments were designed to be well laid out with added tools and equipment carried. Equipment and storage include battery-powered hand tools, chainsaws and fans, a transverse compartment under the cab, two 15-foot lengths of hard suction, and two 10-foot sections of hard suction on the officer’s side. The driver’s side has pony sections of hose, tarps, forcible entry tools, extinguishers, 20-foot and 16-foot ladders, a RIT bag, and wildland equipment.

Pierce Enforcer

1 The Pierce Enforcer pumper-tender has a five-person cab, a 1,500-gpm pump, and a 2,000-gallon tank. (Photos 1-2 courtesy of Pierce.)

side and rear dump valves

2 The side and rear dump valves.

driver’s side compartments

3 The driver’s side compartments of the pumper-tender show pony lengths of hose, Fold-A-Tank storage, fittings, and tarps. [Photos 3-6 courtesy of the Tabernacle (NJ) Fire Department.

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Posted: Aug 20, 2025

Chevron Donates Two-Acres, $300K to VFD for New Station

On Monday, August 18, 2025, first responders and Chevron representatives gathered for a ceremony to celebrate the donation of a two-acre panel of land to the Northeast Volunteer Fire Department in Midland, Texas. According to a newswest9.com article, the land will be used to build a second fire station in the northwestern Midland County.

Fire Chief Jason Duran shared that this new station would cut down on response time and aid in getting water on scene to help the city of Midland.

At the ceremony, Chevron surprised attendees with an additional donation of $300,000 to support the building process. Tim Shannon, Chevron Texas general manager of operations stated that this was a small way for the company to show their gratitude.

The new station is expected to begin construction in 2026.

The post Chevron Donates Two-Acres, $300K to VFD for New Station appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Aug 20, 2025

La Plata (MO) FPD Celebrates New Fleet Addition

La Plata Fire Protection District welcomed a brand-new pumper, Engine 703, with a push-in ceremony on Sunday, August 17, 2025. According to a ktvo.com article, the district obtained a 12-year loan to pay for the new rig.

The pumper was manufactured by Fouts Fire featuring a Ford F-550 Crew Cab 4×4, Hale Products DSD 1,500-gallon-per-minute (gpm) pump, two self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) rear seats and a Hale SmartFOAM 2.1A foam system.

The ceremony featured community and staff, as well as Missouri State Fire Marshal Tim Bean.

The purchase of the new engine is being funded by revenue generated by a tax levy that supports the fire department.

The post La Plata (MO) FPD Celebrates New Fleet Addition appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Aug 20, 2025

Redline Fire Solutions Launches New Dual-Agent System to Combat and Contain Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

Redline Fire Solutions, LLC, a pioneer in next-generation fire suppression technology, has announced the launch of two breakthrough products designed to address one of the most dangerous and increasingly common fire threats today: thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries. Thermal Stop, a high-performance extinguishing agent, and Thermal Shield, a protective gel for post-fire containment and transport, work together to suppress, stabilize, and secure battery systems during and after an incident.

From electric vehicles to consumer electronics and energy storage systems, lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, and when they fail, the consequences are explosive. Traditional suppression methods, including thousands of gallons of water, are often ineffective at stopping the violent chain reaction known as thermal runaway.

“Lithium-ion battery fires are not like anything we’ve fought before,” said Chrystel Worsman of Redline Fire Solutions. “Cooling alone is not enough. Thermal Stop rapidly halts the chemical reaction while Thermal Shield prevents re-ignition during transport and recovery. Together, they offer a complete solution unlike anything currently in use.”

Thermal Stop is a liquid agent that penetrates deep into compromised battery cells, cooling them and chemically interrupting the runaway process. Once extinguishment is achieved, Thermal Shield is applied. This gel-based barrier that traps toxic gases, encapsulates harmful materials, and prevents reignition. It is especially critical during battery removal and transport, when reignition is most likely to occur.

Both products are formulated using ingredients listed in the EPA Safer Choice Program, making them environmentally responsible and effective. Thermal Shield is certified to NFPA 18 standards, affirming its reliability in demanding firefighting conditions.

Click here for demonstration video https://www.knightfiretek.com

To ensure effective global deployment, Redline has appointed KnightTEK, LLC, as the exclusive worldwide distributor. With roots in high-risk industrial environments and a deep commitment to firefighter safety, KnightTEK brings specialized expertise and real-world application to municipal, industrial, and wildland firefighting alike.

“Lithium-ion fires are no longer rare. They’re in our homes, our streets, and our cities,” said Stephen Knight, CEO of KnightTEK. “Our partnership with Redline allows us to deliver not just a product, but a complete, field-tested system to first responders who urgently need better tools for this new class of fire.”

Redline’s fire suppression technologies are built on frontline experience, including that of its founder and CEO, Chief Phil Worsman, a seasoned fire service leader and California State Fire Instructor.

“We created Thermal Stop and Thermal Shield with the fireground in mind,” said Chief Worsman. “As a firefighter, I’ve seen firsthand how dangerous and unpredictable lithium-ion fires can be. These products are the result of years of field testing and innovation, driven by a mission to give firefighters the tools they need to win the fight safely and efficiently.”

Municipal fire departments, hazmat teams, and emergency response agencies interested in product demonstrations, training, or procurement should contact KnightTEK directly.

The post Redline Fire Solutions Launches New Dual-Agent System to Combat and Contain Lithium-Ion Battery Fires appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Aug 19, 2025

FL Fire Department Takes Delivery of New 65,000-Pound Mobile Command Vehicle

The newest vehicle in the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue fleet arrived Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, Metro-Dade Firefighters Local 1403 said in a Facebook post.

Command Post 4 arrived from its manufacturing facility in Wixom, Michigan.

Weighing in at 65,000 pounds, the grant-funded mobile command truck joins three other similar vehicles of various sizes and will be used on major incidents.

Built by Kentucky Trailers, the 53-foot long rig, pulled by a Peterbilt tractor, expands on both sides to accommodate a complete command staff.

The post FL Fire Department Takes Delivery of New 65,000-Pound Mobile Command Vehicle appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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