The city of Columbus, OH, plans to spend a record $21.5 million on fire apparatus and station upgrades to addresses an aging fleet and facility problems.

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What we all got to see was how Pierce is investing to get us our trucks quicker without sacrificing quality for speed.

The post Investing for Efficiency appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

What we all got to see was how Pierce is investing to get us our trucks quicker without sacrificing quality for speed.

The post Investing for Efficiency appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

PHOTOS: Five adults were treated for suspected drug overdoses early Wednesday outside a bar in downtown Austin, with one patient found in respiratory arrest, authorities said.

Austin-Travis County EMS, Austin Fire Department and Austin police were called to the 300 block of East Sixth Street at about 2:20 a.m. after 911 dispatchers received multiple calls reporting overdose symptoms among people in and around Shakespeare’s bar, EMS Capt. Christa Stedman said.

All five patients received Narcan, with some requiring multiple doses from both first responders and bystanders at the scene, Stedman said.

EMS transported four of the patients to area hospitals in stable condition, including the patient who had been in respiratory arrest. The fifth patient refused transport. Six ambulances, two community health paramedics and three EMS commanders responded to the scene, according to Stedman.

WOAI-TV NBC 4 San Antonio

The post VIDEOS: Four hospitalized after suspected mass overdose outside Texas bar appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department has a new tool in its tool box — a rip current simulator advancing water rescue technology for local first responders.

It’s called the “Slipstream,” designed to prepare both rescue personnel and the community for dangerous aquatic conditions.

Dallas Cooke, JFRD’s Division Chief of Rescue, demonstrated the newly acquired machinery, emphasizing its dual role in public education and rigorous responder training.

“We are demonstrating our newly acquired rip current simulator while we’re teaching the community and, most importantly, our personnel how to respond when dealing with water incidents such as rip currents,” Cooke said.

The introduction of the simulator comes at a critical time for the region. Florida’s vast coastlines, community pools, lakes, and retention ponds mean residents and visitors are constantly surrounded by water.

According to Cooke, the area has recently seen an uptick in traumatic water-related incidents, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced preparation.

“While rip current safety is important, overall water safety is the most important thing,” Cooke said. “This equipment is going to allow us to better prepare our responders when dealing with incidents on the water.”

The Slipstream simulator offers an unprecedented level of realism for regional training. Capable of moving up to 3,000 gallons of water, the machine allows instructors to perfectly dial in the intensity of the water flow.

WJAX-TV CBS 47 Jacksonville

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