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Volunteers in Decline at Local Fire Stations
Volunteers in Decline at Local Fire Stations
Posted: Dec 6, 2016

Volunteers in Decline at Local Fire Stations

Kurt Westenkirchner discovered quickly the value of coffee in a 12-hour firehouse shift. He works part-time with the Waterville and Providence Township fire departments, logging up to 35 hours a week in Waterville and 24 to 32 hours for Providence Township. When not on the clock, he volunteers for Waterville as well.

“I definitely like the adrenaline rush of it,” the 22-year-old said. “I just like going out and doing everything there is to do with it.”

Part-timers working in multiple fire departments in the area is typical, as communities search for solutions to shrinking volunteer rosters, stagnant budgets, and increased demand.

Volunteers make up 69 percent of the firefighters in the country, according to the National Fire Protection Association, but the raw number fell 12 percent from 1984 to 2014 while the call volume nearly tripled nationwide from 1986 to 2013.

“We’re not trying to get rid of volunteers,” Waterville Fire Chief Pat Wambo said. “It’s just that we can’t get them. It’s just tough to get them because when they realize this is a lot of work, this is more than I thought, they don’t want to get involved.”It can be draining, but Mr. Westenkirchner loves his work.

Volunteers in the area are not technically volunteers. All receive payment for responding to a call and for training, which has become a more prominent part of firefighting.





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City, Albemarle Upgrade Firefighting Equipment
City, Albemarle Upgrade Firefighting Equipment
Posted: Dec 6, 2016

City, Albemarle Upgrade Firefighting Equipment

Charlottesville and Albemarle County firefighters can now breathe a little easier with the addition of upgraded safety equipment. Both departments recently replaced their 15-year-old self-contained breathing apparatus equipment that had hit its life expectancy to bring it up to current safety standards.

While the old breathing equipment gave firefighters about 15 minutes of air, the new equipment provides a minimum of 30 minutes, according to Albemarle County Fire Capt. Philip Burkett.

“If you’re doing light work, you can probably get that pack to last for 60 minutes or more,” said Burkett. “If you’re doing really heavy work, then it may only last for 30 minutes or so.”

“Typically, we’d like to see fires go out in less than 10 to 15 minutes, but having that extra time gives you the safety and security, at least in the back of your head, that if something does go wrong, I’ve got wiggle room to stand by until another crew can come in.”

The new apparatus brings the departments up to the safety standards of the National Fire Protection Association. Area firefighters are now also fitted with individual facepieces and Rapid Intervention Team bags that supply emergency breathing air to trapped firefighters.

The purchase of the new equipment was jointly made by the Charlottesville Fire Department and Albemarle County Fire Rescue to take advantage of a bulk order discount, Burkett said. Albemarle purchased 270 units, while Charlottesville purchased 50 units.


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Bernardston Fire Station Committee Considers New Properties
Bernardston Fire Station Committee Considers New Properties
Posted: Dec 6, 2016

Bernardston Fire Station Committee Considers New Properties

BERNARDSTON - At the request of residents, the Fire Station Expansion Committee is considering other properties where they could build a new fire station. During a Nov. 15 public forum where the committee and architects shared possible designs, residents proposed purchasing a new lot to build a larger station that would accommodate the department far into the future as equipment specifications and staffing needs grow and change.

Since then, the committee has looked into three properties that are for sale: a 1.28 acre lot at 1 Brattleboro Road for $175,000, a 5.62 acre lot at 23 Kringle Drive for $695,000 and a 3.5 acre lot at 1 Northfield Road for $595,000.

Due to the drastic difference in pricing, some committee members considered during a Wednesday meeting whether the two larger properties would be too expensive for taxpayers. However, the first property invited its own considerations.

“You’d be pretty limited to what size building you’d put in there,” Fire Chief Peter Shedd said of the Brattleboro Road property.



The property, which is just west of the current station at 18 Church St., is a residential lot which was the site of the Bernardston Inn at the turn of the century, followed by the New England House until it was destroyed by fire. Demolishing the existing building would lend an additional cost, and the current septic system would likely not be useable. Because some of the property is on wetlands, the committee considered how much it might cost to bring in fill versus purchase a more expensive, but shovel-ready property.

“If you go over by Kringle Drive, there’s definitely no wetland issues there,” Shedd noted.

The other two lots are adjacent to each other in a commercial/industrial area. As they are more removed from the town center, committee members noted the activities of the fire department, including trainings and late-night responses, would be less likely to disrupt residents.


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During Dry Spell, Danville Fire Department Prepares for Brush Fires
During Dry Spell, Danville Fire Department Prepares for Brush Fires
Posted: Dec 6, 2016

During Dry Spell, Danville Fire Department Prepares for Brush Fires

Devastating wildfires have ravaged the countryside in the Smoky Mountains and Central Virginia over the past few weeks. Meanwhile at home, there has been little rainfall for about seven weeks, greatly increasing the risk of fire. "We got ahead of the game with issuing a burn ban," Danville Fire Marshal Shelby Irving said Tuesday.

In the event of a brush fire, Danville Fire Department is ready to combat whatever comes their way.

Normally located at station No. 6 on Westover Drive is a refurbished 1996 Ford F-350 4WD brush truck equipped to handle all sorts of situations.

Being prepared for a brush fire is very important, “because there is no such thing as an average forest fire,” Irving said.

The brush truck holds 200 gallons of water and when needed can shoot foam. When a fire is deep in the woods, the foam acts as a blanket and extinguishes the fire.

It also has 800 feet of preconnected hose available on the truck as well as a feature called “pump and roll.”

“The pump on the front of the truck is connected to a joystick that allows the driver to be on the move and direct water onto the fire,” said Capt. Billy Scearce at No. 6.

The truck is also equipped with chain saws, a backpack blower, portable water tanks, fire rakes and even a first aid kit.

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Posted: Dec 6, 2016

Pierce Places TAK-4 T3 System-Equipped Quantum Aerials into Service at Oshkosh Fire Department

APPLETON, Wis. (December 6, 2016) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, has placed a pair of Pierce® Quantum® quint 105-foot heavy-duty aerial ladders into service with the Oshkosh Fire Department in Oshkosh, Wis. The apparatus feature TAK-4® independent front suspension and the TAK-4 T3™ steering system, combining mechanical rear steering with a fully independent rear suspension for unmatched maneuverability, ride quality, traction, and stability.

“With the advent of our TAK-4 T3 steering system, we’ve set a new benchmark for performance, control, and firefighter comfort,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president of the Fire & Emergency segment and Pierce Manufacturing. “It’s engineered for military-grade strength, and is the perfect complement for heavier apparatus. We’re very excited to have these aerial trucks equipped with TAK-4 T3 on duty in the fire department of our parent company’s namesake hometown.”

“These new Quantum quint vehicles respond as both engines and ladder trucks, and we put a lot of miles on them over some very rough and narrow streets,” said Tim Franz, fire chief at the Oshkosh Fire Department in Oshkosh, Wis. “The turning radius is excellent, and the handling is equally impressive. We notice a big difference when driving over railroad tracks and negotiating tight 90-degree turns. Even when pulling out of the station, we don’t get the twist and body roll we normally experience with a straight axle truck. It’s pretty amazing.”

Each of the identical pair of Quantum aerial ladders are equipped with a Detroit DD13 500 hp engine and a Command Zone™ advanced electronics and control system. The vehicles feature a GVW rating of 74,800 lbs. and the tandem rear axles carry a GAWR rating of 52,000 lbs. The cab includes seating for four firefighters, a forward facing EMS compartment, and frontal impact and side roll protection systems.

The four-section, 105-foot aerial device includes remote tip controls, a 2-way intercom, a LyfePulley rescue system, and LED rung lighting. The firefighting system includes a 1,500-gpm single stage PUC pump, a 500-gallon water tank, and low mount crosslays.

“Our purchasing committee specified all aspects of the vehicles, and we went with the Quantum chassis as our firefighters appreciate the room in the cab and overall handling” Franz explained. “We’ve heard nothing but positive feedback on our new quints, and that’s a big deal. Our firefighters are really happy with them.”

The Oshkosh Fire Department was founded in 1856 and is one of the oldest in the state. It runs six fire stations and features 108 personnel, including an operations team of 96 line officers, equipment operators, and firefighter/paramedics.

The department’s protection area includes the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, multiple industrial parks, and portions of the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. Known as the Event City, Oshkosh is home to EAA AirVenture (the world’s largest airshow) as well as several major summer outdoor festivals.

Pierce dealer, Fire Apparatus and Equipment, Inc. of Appleton Wis. provides local service and support. For more information, visit www.nilesfae.com.


About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit

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