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Posted: Apr 14, 2025

Water Delivery at FDIC 2025

Chris Mc Loone and Andy Soccodato discuss FDIC 2025, common threads that emerge at Andy’s classes, heavy hookups for hydrants, the takeaway Andy wants all his students to have at the end of his classes, and more.

The post Water Delivery at FDIC 2025 appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Apr 14, 2025

More Than 300 MA FDs Awarded $3M in Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced recently that more than 300 Massachusetts fire departments will receive over $3 million in grants to support safety equipment for firefighters and life safety education for kids and older adults, the state said in a press release.

“Massachusetts firefighters do much more than fight fires – they’re our first line of defense in any emergency,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will help firefighters protect themselves from injury and illness, rescue people in danger, and keep our most vulnerable residents safe from fires and other hazards at home. We are proud to be able to support these vital first responders who never hesitate to answer a call for help.”

The awards are drawn from three grant programs coordinated by the Department of Fire Services.

The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program reimburses local fire departments for purchases of turnout gear, hoses and nozzles, ballistic protective equipment, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, extrication equipment, hazardous gas meters, and more. This round of grants will provide $1.63 million in funding to fire departments in 266 communities. In many cases, the reimbursed purchases will help them attain compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration or National Fire Protection Association safety standards.

“Firefighters train tirelessly for every conceivable emergency so that they can be prepared to help those in need,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Through this program, we acknowledge that tremendous commitment by investing in the equipment they need to be safe in any situation.”

The Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Grant Program funds firefighter-educators who deliver age-appropriate fire and life safety education to school-age children. Since the grants’ inception in 1995, the number of Massachusetts children who die in fires has dropped to historically low levels, from two dozen or more per year to zero for nearly three consecutive years. This year’s awards will deliver more than $1.1 million to 204 local fire departments.

“For 30 years, the SAFE grants have delivered life-saving lessons to Massachusetts’ kids and teens through our local firefighters,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy. “This is just one of the powerful local-state partnerships that make Massachusetts one of the safest places in the nation to live, work, and raise a family.”  

In 2014, DFS launched the Senior SAFE Grant Program, which is geared toward another vulnerable population – older adults, who face a disproportionate risk of death or serious injury in a fire. Nearly $485,000 will support alarm installation, fire safety education, fall prevention strategies, and other resources delivered by 203 local fire departments in partnership with local senior centers, councils on aging, and other community partners.

“People aged 65 and older are at greatest risk of death or serious injury in a fire at home,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “The Senior SAFE grants make a difference by sending trained firefighters to conduct home safety assessments, install or replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and help our seniors age in place safely and independently.”

The awards are as follows:

FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants (Round 2)
Grant RecipientAward Amount
Town of Abington$9,225.00  
Town of Acton$9,500.00  
Town of Acushnet$9,500.00  
Adams Fire District$3,370.97 & Read more
Posted: Apr 14, 2025

Denton (TX) FD Holds Push-In for State’s First Electric Pumper

The Denton Fire Department (DFD) made history recently with the arrival of Texas’ first electric fire apparatus, a groundbreaking addition that highlights the City of Denton’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in emergency response, the city said in a press release.

In celebration of this milestone, DFD hosted a ‘push-in’ ceremony at Fire Station 1 located at 332 East Hickory Street.

Adding to the significance of this milestone, Fire Station 1 – the new home of the electric fire truck – sits on the site of the historic Hickory Street Diesel Plant, Denton’s first electric plant built in 1935. Firefighters fittingly refer to the station as the “Powerhouse,” making it an ideal location for Texas’ first electric pumper. 

DFD’s new Pierce Volterra electric pumper includes parallel-electric drivetrain, which allows for zero-emission pumping and driving in EV mode. The pumper has the ability to provide continuous and uninterrupted power to the pumping system or drive system through the backup internal combustion engine.

“The addition of Texas’ first electric fire truck marks a new era for the Denton Fire Department and the future of emergency response,” said Denton Fire Chief Kenneth Hedges. “We are proud to be at the forefront of this innovation and look forward to celebrating this milestone with the community.”

After posting a video of the push-in ceremony on its Facebook page, DFD made the following comment on its post:

“Yes, it is a full EV. Yes, it does have a backup diesel engine. No, we won’t be left stranded on the side of the road waiting for a charge! And the ‘Keep Back 343 Feet’ is a tribute to the 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11. It’s our constant reminder of why we do what we do—to serve and protect.”

The post Denton (TX) FD Holds Push-In for State’s First Electric Pumper appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Apr 14, 2025

Dealer Profile: Lakes Region Fire Apparatus

Appropriately named for the abundant lakes in the area, New Hampshire’s Lakes Region covers all or portions of five counties at the southern base of the White Mountains. Surrounded by mountains and heavy forests and the recipient of five feet of snow per year, the small town of Tamworth, founded in 1766, is the home of Lakes Region Fire Apparatus, Inc.

BEGINNING

Lakes Region founder and owner Glenn Davis was a volunteer for 34 years in the Moultonborough (NH) Fire Rescue Department before retiring in 2014. He served as captain and also as an engineer for 15 of them. His occupation at the time was a heavy truck mechanic. On what inspired him to start a fire truck repair service, he says, “We experienced firsthand the lack of available pump service and heavy truck service in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. In talking with peers, the same was the norm in several places throughout New England. Well, I was a mechanic, a farm boy, a firefighter, and was raised in a family of small business entrepreneurs. It was a natural next move for a guy in his mid 20s who was looking for something different.”

He started the business as a DBA in 1991 and incorporated it two years later. Davis is the principal owner. He says he still has the opportunity to participate in both selling and working with the tools but mostly manages and assists now. He’s had specialized training in fire pumps with the big three fire pump manufacturers; in apparatus electronics; and with heavy trucks including brakes, suspensions, and steering. He also attended the California Fire Mechanics Academy, whose Web site says, “After more than 49 years of operation, the California Fire Mechanics Academy, Inc. is the oldest and largest emergency apparatus repair and maintenance training opportunity of its kind in the country.” All Lakes Region apparatus repair and service people are on track to becoming EVT-certified.

GROWTH

Davis says, “This company was originally intended to perform in-your-firehouse fire pump repairs. It didn’t take long before we needed a brick-and-mortar location as the workload began to include heavy duty chassis repairs and service. We are rural enough that we service any brand as well as aerials and a couple of boats. In October 1992, we rented our first 3,000-square-foot facility. Four years later, we purchased an 8,400-square- foot building at 688 Route 25 in Tamworth. A 5,600-square-foot-building just down the road at 588 Route 25 became available, and we also purchased that in 2020.” Besides Davis, Lakes Region currently has six full-time employees doing service and repair work. There are two on-the-road service trucks, and there are four part-timers in apparatus sales.

1 Photos courtesy of Lakes Region Fire Apparatus.

Prior to 2003, Lakes Region Fire Apparatus did not sell fire apparatus—it just fixed them. He initially started selling for HME Ahrens-Fox in New Hampshire’s Carrol County. The territory eventually expanded to all of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Recently, Lakes Region became an authorized dealer for Alexis.

NEW ENGLAND APPARATUS MANUFACTURERS

New England was home to many fire apparatus manufacturers that, for one reason or another, ceased operations. Included with their home states are Continental (MA), EG Moody (NH), EJ Murphy (MA), Farrar (MA), Maxim (MA), Maynard (MA), Middlesex (VT), Ranger (RI), Valley (NH), Woods (MA), Probco (RI), and V-Tech (VT). Local fire departments no longer had nearby factories where they could drive their apparatus for service and repair work. After Davis started in business, New Hampshire fire departments operating t

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Posted: Apr 14, 2025

Woman Dies After Her Car Strikes Rochester (NY) FD Apparatus

A 35-year-old woman died Sunday, March 13, when the 2002 Volvo she was driving struck the back of a parked Rochester Fire Department apparatus, according to police, 13wham.com reported.

The Rochester Fire Department was on scene prior to the crash attending to a call for service with a fire apparatus parked and unoccupied, facing northbound on Hudson Avenue with its emergency lights activated, according to the report.

The black 2002 Volvo was traveling northbound on Hudson Avenue at the intersection with Avenue D when it ran a red light and struck the back of the fire apparatus, the report said.

The passenger in the car, a 32-year-old man, is being treated at the hospital for injuries that are not life-threatening, according to the report.

An investigation is ongoing.

The post Woman Dies After Her Car Strikes Rochester (NY) FD Apparatus appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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