MERRILLVILLE — A Merrillville repairman faces felony theft charges after an Indiana State Police investigation revealed he allegedly attempted to scam the Merrillville Fire Department out of tens of thousands of dollars on repairs to a fire engine.

David Shepard-Hambrick was formally charged in Lake Criminal Court Thursday with theft, a Level 6 felony, online court records show.

In March 2024, the Merrillville Fire Department took one of its trucks to Merrillville-based Hoosier Diesel & Off-Road, a repair shop that specializes in diesel and off-road vehicle maintenance. Shepard-Hambrick is the company’s owner.

Shepard-Hambrick allegedly told the fire department that pieces of metal were in the trucks oil and that it required “extensive repair.” He requested an advance payment of more than $43,700, which the Town of Merrillville paid in check on March 22, 2024. Shepard-Hambrick allegedly set the estimated total cost for repairs at approximately $60,000, including the cost of a completely new engine for the truck.

By February, the repair company still didn’t have a new engine for the truck after months of the owner telling the department there were issues with the engine being made — and the fire department then allegedly learned that Shepard-Hambrick had never ordered one.

“(The Merrillville Fire Department) then made arrangements to pick up the fire truck and had it towed to another repair shop,” ISP said in a news release. “That repair shop was able to determine that the fire truck did not actually need a new engine whatsoever.”

That repair shop, J&M Equipment Service and Repair in Schererville, quoted the needed repairs at approximately $10,000, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Thursday.

“Further investigation revealed that the engine’s oil pan had never been removed, and the factory seal was still attached,” ISP said. “The oil filters were also inspected, and no metal was located in any of the filters or oil and the engine showed normal wear and tear, noting no damage that needed major engine replacement.”

As of Thursday evening, Shepard-Hambrick is not in custody. A judge has issued a warrant for his arrest, online court records show.

Merrillville Fire Department chief Edward Yerga told investigators that prior to the incident, Shepard-Hambrick had done “quality work” on his department’s vehicles.

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Hoosier Diesel and Shepard-Hambrick could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Shepard-Hambrick was in January charged with theft of a motor vehicle and has a hearing set for May 14 in that case, online records show.

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the We

A firefighter and three others were injured Saturday when a fire truck collided with a car in Newark, authorities said.

The accident happened at 11:46 a.m. at the intersection of Broadway and Bloomfield Place, according to Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda. The truck was not responding to an emergency call at the time, the city said.

An adult and two children who were in the car complained of pain and were taken to University Hospital for evaluation. A firefighter who injured his arm was also taken to University Hospital, Miranda said in a statement.

The injuries are not considered life-threatening. The accident is under investigation, Miranda said.

The accident tied up traffic at the foot of Bloomfield Avenue in a heavily-trafficked commercial district that is just north of downtown.

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The post Newark (NJ) Apparatus Collides With Car; Firefighter, Children Injured appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Atlanta Fire Rescue’s new Rivian trucks were introduced during the ‘Breakfast with our Bravest’ event, held Friday, May 2, 2025, 11alive.com reported.

Read more about the new trucks here: Atlanta (GA) Fire Rescue Adds Rivian EV Trucks to Fleet.

The post Atlanta’s First-Ever All-Electric Quick-Response Vehicles Unveiled appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The following personal observations are from an armchair’s perspective devoid of interaction with vendors on the exhibit floor. In instances of not being able to view all sides of a rig, interpretations may be skewed. Comments are not expressing approval, disapproval, or endorsement. Photos by Tom Shand.

• Interesting Rigs at FDIC International 2025, Part 1

Photos 1, 2, 3, 4 show a basic pumper by US Fire Apparatus on an HME four-door chassis painted all red with a raised roof.

Photo 1 shows a scalloped notch for a straight-through steamer connection to preconnect a soft sleeve. A center hose well and mechanical siren are on the apron along with painted steel tow eyes. Bumper guide markers with lights help cornering with extended bumpers. 

The compact pump panel without crosslays in photo 2 shows a discharge relief valve and transfer valve for a two-stage pump. There’re seven discharges – deck gun, two on each side, and two at the rear. Two doors access storage above the pump house. 

The driver’s side in photo 3 shows a folding step on the hosebed side sheet side freeing up pump panel space. Flaked or bundled hose storage is above low side compartments equipped w

HAMMOND — Firefighters, police officers, community members and elected officials gathered Thursday afternoon to formally open Hammond Fire Station No. 2, the second major fire station project in Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.’s tenure.

“When I took office, I made a promise to invest in public safety,” McDermott told the capacity crowd, which had braved the downpour outside to fill the station’s expansive garage. “And I promised when I became mayor, we were going to not just invest in public safety in words, but in action.”

Ribbon cutting for Hammond Fire Department’s new station

Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. shares comments at the ribbon cutting for the Hammond Fire Department’s new station.

His latest action is an approximately $8 million investment to build the brand-new station, located at 2403 Calumet Ave. in the city’s Robertsdale neighborhood. Built directly across the street from The Pavilion, it’s the latest piece of modern architecture in an area McDermott said he promised when he became mayor would eventually become green and redeveloped.

“This is where everybody comes to recreate now,” he said Thursday. “And this station fits right in.”

Mike Hull, President of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 556, pointed to The Pavilion Thursday, perfectly placed behind him and the department’s engines outside.

“Look at this whole freaking area right behind us, these homes next door,” Hull said. “If this fire station and that stuff doesn’t tell you what the heck’s going on in Hammond, I don’t know what will. This is an incredible feat.”

Hammond Fire Department Chief Bernie Grisolia took a moment to reflect on the job the old station, located just a block north, had done to house Hammond firefighters since it opened in 1961.

Ribbon cutting for Hammond Fire Department’s new station

Hammond Fire Chief Bernie Grisolia speaks at the ribbon cutting for the Hammond Fire Department’s new station.

“Though that building will no longer stand one day, the legacy and the memories created there will always be part of Hammond’s history,” Grisolia said. “We welcome this new facility, one that is modern, efficient and built to meet the needs of the growing community.”

The new station features an open, modern kitchen with an outdoor grilling area attached, a fitness center, a lounge room, three separate sleeping bays and an enormous garage to house the station’s fire apparatuses.

“Improved facilities tend to mean improved performance. Improved performance shows up on the streets with our residents,” said Mark Kalwinski, the Democratic councilman of Hammond’s 1st District. “So thank you to everybody that made this possible for taking care of our residents in the 1st District and throughout the city.”

Ribbon cutting for Hammond Fire Department’s new station

This is the fitness room at Hammond’s new fire station.

The $8 million price tag is nearly double that of the last station upgrade, completed in 2018.

Plans for the latest station upgrade originated in