A number of rivers in north central and eastern Washington are in imminent danger of flooding. That’s because spring temperatures have soared into the upper 80s and Canada’s near record snowpack is melting fast. Flooding hasn’t been this bad in the Okanogan Valley since 1972. This week, forecasters say, it could get close to breaking that record.
- PUB DATE: 5/15/2018 12:30:54 PM - SOURCE: KUOW 94.9FM - Puget Sound Public Radio

Fires at two vacant homes within 10 minutes of each other early Tuesday morning are being investigated as arson, Yakima fire officials say. Both homes, located less than a mile apart, had previously burned and were boarded up, according to a fire department news release. There was also evidence of arson at the one house, while fire officials said someone apparently forced their way into the second building.
- PUB DATE: 5/15/2018 9:25:57 AM - SOURCE: Yakima Herald-Republic

GRAND RAPIDS/WYOMING—HME Ahrens-Fox recently released its new Ahrens-Fox WUI™ (Wildland Urban Interface) at the 2018 FDIC, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company has positioned this wildland and urban interface fire apparatus as a platform that efficiently merges the capability and functionality of its Type-3 Wildland with its Type-1 Interface apparatus.

The unit:

• Merges Type-3 Wildland and Type-1 Interface design and functionality
• Introduces patent-pending Distributed Water System™
• Incorporates Glass Screen Technology™ Pump controls
• Features proven HME Ahrens-Fox SFO® Custom Chassis developed specifically for rugged wildland and interface applications
• MDFD-XL Cab enhances crew comfort
• Incorporates extreme off-road lighting packages

“We’ve been continually evolving the capability and functionality of both our Type-3 Wildland and Type-1 Interface designs,” said Ken Lenz, HME Ahrens-Fox vice president and director of engineering. “The development of the HME Extreme Rat and the HXR significantly improved the capability of the Type-3 through a custom, wildland design. The development of the Ahrens-Fox WUI incorporates many of the elements we developed for the HXR, such as its high-clearance SFO®, 4x4 chassis, wide float Super Singles tires, and automatic inflation system. The WUI incorporates many of those features while also merging advanced technologies with the functionality and expanded storage capacity of the Type-1 Interface.”

The Ahrens-Fox WUI introduces the company’s patent-pending Distributed Water System™. The Distributed Water System™ optimizes water inlet and outlet configuration, around the truck, eliminating wasted space. The system incorporates two bumper mounted 1½” lines; a 2½” line on each side of the truck; dual 2½” rear lines; and two booster reels for structure fires, truck protection, and overall firefighting capability. On the side of the truck, a 6” steamer and 2½” intake facilitates relay pumping, along with a 2½” rear tank fill. Rear I-Zone brackets are also provided for quick redeployment.

A 1,500-gpm pump, with a foam and deck gun, provides additional structure protection capability. A diesel auxiliary driven pump, featured on both Type 1 and Type 3 apparatus, supports pump-and-roll operations. All pump functions are controlled by configurable, Glass Screen Technology™, which can be operated outside of the truck or from inside the cab. Optional Ahrens-Fox MadDog XL Compressed Air Foam Systems, available in three ratings ranging up to 200 CFM, are also available.

The space savings created by the Distributed Water System™ and its compact touch-screen controls economizes interior storage space. The additional compartmentation makes room for Rapid Intervention Team tools, Confined Space and High Angle Rescue Equipment, along with a host of traditional Type-1 Interface gear. Additional equipment and to

The Forestville (CA) Fire Protection District has recently taken delivery of an all-new custom HME, Incorporated, 34D Wildland unit. Built on the rugged International 7400 chassis with a commercial four-door cab, this truck is ready for off-roading. The truck is powered by a Navistar N9 330-horsepower engine and Allison 3000EVS automatic transmission.

Also featured is the corrosion-resistant stainless-steel body, HME hydra technology side-mount Darley JMP pump with 500-gpm performance, as well as Wildland Storage Compartments. The Type III wildland pumper has a 500-gallon tank, and a FoamPro 1600 Class A foam system with 20-gallon foam cell. This truck hosts a tailored LED lighting package to suit the needs of Forestville Fire Protection District. 

Salesman: Casey Scott
Dealer: Derotic LLC
Dealer Location: El Dorado Hills, CA

NESQUEHONING, PA—KME Fire Apparatus announced the delivery of two tractor-drawn aerials (TDAs) and 10 custom pumpers to the city/county of Honolulu, Hawaii.

The two AerialCat™ TDAs include:

• KME Severe Service™ LFD Cabs with an 18” raised roof
• Cummins ISX12 500-hp engine
• Allison 4000 EVSR transmission
• Custom AerialCat™ TDA fire body with transverse upper and lower compartments
• Large ground ladder compliment
• AerialCat™ 101’ ladder with prepiped waterway
• TOP Rollover Protection Systems (Rolltek)

The ten Honolulu Custom Pumpers feature:

• KME Severe Service™ LFD Cabs with an 18” raised roof
• Cummins ISX-12 450-hp engine
• Allison 4000 EVSR transmission
• 2,000-gpm two-stage pump and compressed air foam system (CAFS)
• 750 gallons of water with 40-gallon foam tanks
• Aluminum fire body with customized shelving and compartmentation
• TOP Rollover Protection Systems (Rolltek)

William Gray, director of sales for KME states, “As KME delivers the second round of apparatus to the Honolulu Fire Department, the team at KME appreciates the confidence that the Honolulu Fire Department has put in the KME product. Once this order is delivered, there will be a total of 15 pumpers and three tractor drawn aerials in front-line service in Honolulu. KME looks forward to providing top quality fire apparatus to the members of The Honolulu Fire Department in the future.”

Honolulu has recently awarded KME another order for threecustom pumpers. This purchase includes a contract provision for fire departments nationwide, allowing a “tag-on” of the contract to take advantage of the pricing until November 1, 2019. Departments that “tag-on” to the contract pricing receive:

• Price justification with a base line specification and pricing obtained through a public competitive process
• Ability to modify the configuration to meet the needs of the departments’s unique operating conditions
• Excluded purchasing administration costs for most, which can be substantial for public bids

The units were sold by Hawaii Specialty Vehicles in Honolulu, KME’s Hawaiian dealer.

For more information, visit www.kmefire.com.