UNION, West Virginia (May 21, 2025) – The Monroe County Commission recently announced the donation of Mini-Starlink terminals to the county’s volunteer fire departments in Peterstown, Ballard, Lindside, Union, Gap Mills, and Alderson in West Virginia, the commission said in a press release.

This initiative, spearheaded by County Clerk Jeremy Meadows, equips these departments with the same state-of-the-art communication technology recently implemented by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, ensuring seamless connectivity in even the most remote areas of the county.

The Mini-Starlink terminals, developed by SpaceX, represent the latest advancement in satellite-based internet technology, offering unparalleled reliability for first responders. Each terminal is equipped with built-in batteries that provide up to eight hours of operation on a single charge, and Mini-Starlink routers extend the wireless reach, enabling robust communication networks in the field. This donation, funded through the county’s strategic allocation of resources, underscores the Commission’s commitment to public safety and technological innovation.

Benefits for Volunteer Fire Departments

The Mini-Starlink terminals address critical communication challenges faced by volunteer fire departments, particularly in Monroe County’s rural and mountainous terrain, where radio and cellular “dead zones” are common. Specific benefits include:

• Reliable Communication in Dead Zones: The satellite-based Starlink system requires only a clear view of the sky, allowing firefighters to maintain constant contact with the 911 Center and other responders in areas like Waiteville or the remote hills of Gap Mills, where traditional radio and cell service often fail. For example, during a structure fire in a secluded valley, firefighters can use the terminal to coordinate with the 911 Center for additional resources, relay patient information to EMS, or request mutual aid from neighboring departments, potentially saving lives.

• Enhanced Situational Awareness: The terminals enable real-time data transmission, such as live video feeds from drones or incident updates, to the 911 Center or command posts. For instance, during a wildfire in the Peterstown area, firefighters could stream drone footage to assess fire spread, helping commanders make informed decisions without relying on patchy radio signals.

• Mobile Command Capabilities: The portability of the Mini-Starlink terminals, combined with their 8-hour battery life, allows firefighters to establish mobile command posts in the field. During a multi-vehicle accident on Route 219 near Lindside, a terminal could be set up at the scene to serve as a base station, facilitating communication with hospitals, law enforcement, and other agencies, even in areas with no cellular coverage.

• Extended Wireless Reach: The Mini-Starlink routers expand the terminal’s wireless network, enabling multiple devices (e.g., tablets, smartphones, laptops) to connect simultaneously. This is critical during large-scale incidents, such as a hazardous materials spill near Union, where firefighters, EMS, and sheriff’s deputies can share a single network for coordinated response, accessing maps, hazmat databases, or patient records.

• Resilience in Emergencies: The terminals’ battery-powered operation ensures functionality during power outages caused by storms or wildfires, common in Monroe County. For example, during a severe winter storm that disrupts power and cell towers, the Alderson Volunteer Fire Department could use a terminal to maintain communication with the 911 Center, ensuring rapid response to medical emergencies or stranded motorists.

These capabilities mirror the Sheriff’s Department’s successful use of Mini-Starlink terminals, which have provided deputies with continuous connectivity in remote areas, as announced on August

TRENTON, Michigan (May 20, 2025) — The city of Trenton announced the future site of the new Trenton Fire Department headquarters at the corner of West Road and Veteran’s Parkway. This strategically selected location will serve as a centralized hub to significantly improve emergency response times and operational efficiency across the city.

The site was chosen following a comprehensive study of citywide emergency response patterns and community coverage needs, conducted in collaboration with public safety experts and urban planners. The city successfully secured the location through purchase agreements with the Trenton Motor Inn and the Trenton VFW organization, whose partnership was instrumental in making this vision a reality.

“These new stations are a generational investment in Trenton’s public safety,” said Mayor Steven Rzeppa. “Through detailed analysis, planning, and negotiations, we know these locations will enhance the ability of our first responders to serve our community better than ever before. This project will completely transform that intersection into something Trenton residents will be proud of for decades to come. We can’t thank the voters enough for putting their faith in us to get this done.”

Mayor Pro-Tem Richard Benedetti, himself a retired firefighter stated, “I was pleased with the hard work and dedication that the Mayor and Administration put towards improving our service and response to the residents.”

Fire Chief Keith Anderson stated “The consolidation of our two fire stations into a new, state-of-the-art central facility marks a major step forward for Trenton. This move enhances our ability to respond more efficiently across the city, improves coordination among our crews, and ensures the highest level of service and safety for our residents. It’s a smart investment in both our infrastructure and our community’s future.”

Police Chief Mike Hawkins stated that “Building our new station is more than just bricks and mortar, it is a step toward a safer, stronger and inviting future for our community.” 

The city of Trenton extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Trenton Motor Inn and Trenton VFW for their cooperation and commitment to the community’s safety. Construction planning will commence in the coming months, with regular updates provided to residents throughout the process.

In addition, the Trenton Police Department is excited to announce plans for a new station within a “municipal complex” near 3rd St. and Maple St. in the downtown district. Developed in partnership with city engineers and architectural firms, this modern facility will provide officers with state-of-the-art spaces aligned with best practices in policing. The new police station will also feature a training and community use room, available to residents for public engagement and events.

The City of Trenton, located along the Detroit River, is a vibrant community committed to enhancing the quality of life for its residents through strategic investments in public safety, infrastructure, and community engagement.

The post Trenton (MI) Officials Tell Locations of New Police, Fire Stations appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The city of Florence (SC) Fire Department celebrated the addition of Engine 151 and Engine 161 to the fleet Wednesday, May 21, the department said in a Facebook post.

In January, Engine 151 was placed in service. The Pierce pumper holds 750 gallons of water with a 1,500-gallon-per-minute (gpm) pump, meeting the capabilities of the rest of the fleet.

In April, Engine 161 was placed in service. The Pierce pumper also holds 750 gallons of water with a 1,500-gpm pump.

“This would not have been possible without support from the mayor and city council, city manager, and our state representatives,” the post said. “We are proud to continue serving our community through the addition of these state-of-the-art apparatus, which support the city’s ongoing efforts to provide high-quality emergency response and public safety services.”

The post Florence (SC) FD Celebrates Addition of Two New Pumpers appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

As fire chiefs explore options for new fire apparatus, stock rigs present an attractive alternative to custom builds. Departments face budget constraints, especially in the current climate where some government funding has been exhausted. Stock rigs can offer a more economical solution without compromising on features. For fire departments navigating the complexities of the current market, stock rigs have emerged as a practical, efficient, and valuable solution. Today’s stock rigs can offer customization, immediate availability, and cost-effectiveness that modern fire services demand.

An important point discussed in the podcast relates to the vital role of dealers in the fire apparatus procurement process. As representatives of their local markets, dealers provide valuable insights into the specific needs of fire departments in their regions. Treadle elaborated on the collaboration between HME and dealers, emphasizing that these relationships allow manufacturers to adapt and customize stock rig offerings more effectively.

For more information on HME fire apparatus, visit www.firetrucks.com.

The post Inside Stock Fire Apparatus: HME Ahrens-Fox appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow

I recently had a change of mind about a safety item involving slide poles. This prompted me to write this column, as mind changing is difficult for many, especially for health and safety concerns.

Yes, I realize most fire stations are single-story and a slide pole is unnecessary. But, the intent of this month’s column is to discuss the difficulty in changing one’s mind. I was against slide poles, and there was a trend a few years ago to do away with them, and I thought this was good. However, watching a presentation involving this subject made me change my mind. More on this later.

Let me set the stage for why I was against slide poles. In looking at the history of the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department, where I was the health and safety officer for 24 years, here is how I became “vaccinated” against them. From the fire department’s history book, the following was written: “…became the Department’s seventh on-duty fatality when he died at Station 4 on April 1, 1934. He had pulled an extra shift, and Engine 4 had been busy that night. An alarm came in; he got up out of bed, tripped over the suspenders on his quick-hitch pants, and fell headfirst down the pole hole. He died later in the day of a fractured skull.” This story also highlights the issue of possible sleep deprivation, the unhealthy practice of keeping turnout gear by the bed (I did this as a volunteer firefighter for 10 years; did this contribute to my bout with cancer?), the location of the slide pole, and the guards around the pole.

Then, during my tenure as safety officer, we had three more slide pole incidents at Station 1. A civilian employee decided to slide the pole (without any training or supervision) and did not know how to control her descent. She ended up paralyzed from the waist down. When I retired, this incident was the most expensive workers’ compensation claim the fire department had ever had. Then, a captain broke an ankle when he landed at the bottom of the pole. And then, a kid slid the pole (again, untrained and unsupervised). His hands got hot from “braking,” and he let go, falling hard to the floor. He was transported to the hospital, where he was checked out and released. With all that tragic background, I felt that slide poles were an unnecessary hazard. We had a couple of other two-story stations without slide poles, and there were no injuries from using the stairs.

Now to today. I had the privilege to see Rob Manns, of Manns Woodward Studios, an architectural firm out of the Baltimore, Maryland, area, present on how fire station design can be a positive factor in reducing response times. Rob’s specialty is fire station design. Part of his presentation is about slide poles, and he shows where they can be located (not beside the apparatus), how they should be designed within context of the station, and how to protect firefighters from accidental falls. He has conducted some time studies in at least six stations and shows that slide poles are four times faster than stairs. And, that is for an entire company deployment. For one person, I suspect that time is even faster.

I saw this presentation at the F.I.E.R.O. Fire Station Symposium last year and found it interesting. I then saw it again at the Fire Department Safety Officers Association’s Annual Conference earlier this year, and I told him afterward he had changed my mind on slide poles. With his photos, diagrams, and science-based data, his presentation was compelling.

As I reflected on my change of mind, I could not help but think that this happened because stubbornness is in my DNA. I th