The Moncks Corner Rural Fire Department is mourning the loss of Deputy Chief Jimmy Townsend, who died in the line of duty early Sunday morning. WCBD reports Townsend suffered a fatal cardiac event just hours after responding to a call.

Townsend had served with the department since 1990, and this November would have marked his 35th year of service in Berkeley County. Colleagues described him as a mentor, leader, and friend who was always willing to share his knowledge and step in to help others.

Firefighters say his legacy of commitment, service, and leadership will continue to guide those who worked alongside him.

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Years in the making, the Wheeling (WV) Fire Department has officially opened its new headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on recently in East Wheeling, the city said in a press release.

Ground was broken on the $9 million facility, located at 1700 Wood Street, in August 2022. The 24,860-square-foot, single-story structure replaces the department’s former headquarters in Center Wheeling.

“This new facility is not just a building—it’s a long-term investment in our community’s safety,” said Fire Chief Jim Blazier. “The design and layout give our team the tools they need to train, rest, and respond quickly to emergencies. I am grateful to everyone who has kept this project going over the last several years. Special thanks to our city manager and administration, past and present city council, and retired Fire Chief Larry Helms, who played a significant role in getting this project started, as well as all our firefighters who have been patiently awaiting this day.”

The new headquarters features space for additional apparatus, a hose drying and training tower, a large training room, offices for command staff, a fitness center, decontamination and enhanced firefighting safety areas, and individual bunk rooms for on-duty firefighters.

“The opening of the new headquarters is an important step forward for the city of Wheeling,” said City Manager Robert Herron. “This state-of-the-art facility ensures our firefighters have the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively, while reaffirming our ongoing investment in public safety.”

The department had been based in the lower level of the Center Wheeling Parking Garage since 1978. That structure was demolished in 2024. During construction of the new station, administrative offices were relocated to the former B.J. Sumner Jones Armory Reserve Center in Clator, and suppression crews were temporarily reassigned to other stations throughout the city.

“Today’s ribbon cutting marks more than the opening of a new building—it represents progress, pride, and a continued commitment to the people of Wheeling,” said Mayor Denny Magruder. “This headquarters stands as a symbol of the trust we place in our fire department and the promise that our city will always invest in the safety and well-being of our residents.”

The building was designed by M&G Architects and Engineering of Wheeling. Construction was completed by Great Lakes Contracting.

The Wheeling Fire Department will now fully operate from the East Wheeling location, marking the beginning of a new era for fire protection and emergency response in the city.

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The City of Kissimmee (FL) Fire Department officially launched a new cutting-edge alerting system that helps the department respond to emergencies more quickly and accurately, the agency said in a Facebook post.

Kissimmee has activated a new Fire Station Alerting (FSA) system where a 911 dispatcher simply types the emergency information into a computer, it then goes to a gateway, and is then sent to all of the responding fire stations simultaneously, dispatching everyone due on that call. The notice is also sent to firefighter radios and cell phones.

The Phoenix G2 alerting system is “zoned alerting” meaning that only those firefighters that are to respond to that emergency are alerted.

Smart in-station technology features LED lights that change color according to the unit being dispatched, according to a clickorlando.com report. Display panels provide real-time call information, and turnout time clocks in each apparatus bay help crews monitor and improve response times.

Here’s how it makes a difference:

• Clearer call alerts
• Faster response times
• Direct notifications to the right crews

“This system ensures the right team receives the correct information instantly, so we can be on the way with the tools needed to help even faster than before,” the post said. “We’re committed to staying at the forefront of technology to keep our community safe.”

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Delivery of the Month

ROSENBAUER—Kokomo (IN) Fire Department King Cobra 100-foot aerial ladder quint. Commander 60 cab and chassis; Cummins X 15 600-hp engine; Rosenbauer N 2,250-gpm pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon water tank; Duo-Safety ground ladders; Rosenbauer EXT aluminum body; hot dipped galvanized frame rails. Dealer: Jeff Stigall, Sentinel Emergency Solutions, St. Louis, MO.

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FERRARA—Broken Bow (OK) Fire Department pumper. International HV507 4×4 cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Hale RSD 1,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,200-gallon water tank; 20-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 2001 single-agent foam system. Dealer: Fire Master Fire Equipment, Springfield, MO. (Photo by Steve Loftin.)

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PIERCE—Chaska (MN) Fire Department 100-foot Ascendant platform quint. Enforcer cab and chassis; Cummins X15 600-hp engine; Waterous S100 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon water tank. Dealer: Brad White, MacQueen Emergency, Apple Valley, MN.

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SPARTAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE—Washington Court House (OH) Fire Rescue Department pumper-tanker. Gladiator cab and chassis; Cummins X15 565-hp engine; Waterous CSU 2,000-gpm pump; 2,500-gallon polypropylene water tank; 30-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 2002 single-agent foam system; Whelen scene and emergency lighting. Dealer: Johnson’s Emergency Vehicle Solutions, Wellston, OH.

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US FIRE—Sumter (SC) Fire Rescue commercial pumper. Kenworth T480 cab and chassis; Paccar PX9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; 1,500-gallon polypropylene water tank; 3⁄16-inch heavy duty extruded aluminum body. Dealer: US Fire Apparatus, Holden, LA.

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E-ONE—Hingham (MA) Fire Department Cyclone pumper. Cyclone long cab with 12-inch Vista roof and chassis; seating for six; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; 750-gallon polypropylene water tank; 30-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 2002 single-agent foam system; painted ROM compartment roll-up doors; coffin style compartments; booster reel in dunnage. Dealer: Bruce King, Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, North Attleboro, MA.

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SVI TRUCKS—Cheesequake Fire Department, Old Bridge Township, NJ, rescue. Sutphen Monarch cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; 22-foot walk-around rescue body; Command Light 602A-CH light tower; Onan 25-kW generator; Warn 6-ton winch; AMDOR roll-up compartment doors; AMKUS rescue tools; FireTech scene lights; Dealer: Jim Schwartz, Blaze Emergency Equipm

In this episode of EVT Talk, brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech, Chris Mc Loone sits down with Kevin Roberts, president of the Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification Commission (EVTCC), at the annual Fire Truck Training Conference (FTTC) in Lansing, Michigan, to discuss the evolving landscape of emergency vehicle technician (EVT) training, the critical role of hands-on gatherings, and the cautious but practical integration of AI in education. Here are some takeaways that stand out for the emergency services community.

Roberts emphasized a mindset shift he calls the “What if, not What now?” approach, urging technicians to stay fully engaged and think beyond routine checklists when inspecting emergency vehicles. A well-maintained fleet can lull techs into complacency, making them prone to miss subtle but potentially serious issues. He likened this to drivers who don’t anticipate hazards because they aren’t actively scanning their environment.

This foresight is crucial to catching problems before they cause costly breakdowns or safety incidents. A good EVT doesn’t just complete maintenance steps mechanically—they actively seek out anomalies and understand the broader implications of each component’s condition.

For the emergency services industry, where downtime means risking public safety and mission readiness, this “what if” mentality can’t be overstated. Roberts’ insights remind us that technicians are the last line of defense in keeping apparatus battle-ready and that training programs must cultivate sharp observational skills and disciplined risk awareness.

One clear message from Roberts is the irreplaceable value of live conferences like the FTTC. While virtual classes and online resources have expanded access, nothing quite matches the dynamic interaction of classroom discussions, face-to-face Q&A, and informal networking. Roberts praised the conference format for enabling participants to get “outside their comfort zone,” actively engage with instructors, and swap real-world troubleshooting experiences with peers.

Mc Loone shared his observations of the shared problem-solving occurring before classes even start—fire apparatus technicians from coast to coast exchanging tips and solutions on common challenges. This kind of peer-to-peer learning drives progress and keeps communities of practice vibrant. It also fosters relationships that span departments and regions, which can prove invaluable when tackling complicated repairs or equipment upgrades back home.

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