Arlington County’s new Fire Station No. 8 is officially in service, celebrated with a grand opening Saturday, April 26, that reflected the inspiring story of the men who created the company in service to its community in the historic Langston Boulevard corridor.
Founded in 1918 as the Halls Hill Volunteer Fire Department in a segregated Black neighborhood, Fire Station 8 remained for decades the only Arlington, Virginia, station staffed exclusively by Black firefighters, even after the firemen became paid members of the Arlington County Fire Department in 1951.
This is the latest Fire Station 8 facility located at or near 4845 Langston Boulevard (formerly Lee Highway).
Fire Station 8. (Source: City of Arlington, Virginia)
Saturday’s ceremony (video) took place in the new station’s apparatus bay, with remarks by County Board Chairman Takis Karantonis; Fire Chief David Povlitz; Department of Environmental Services Director Greg Emanuel; former County Board member Libby Garvey; Fire Station 8 Task Force Chair Noah Simon; Delegate Patrick Hope; John M. Langston Citizens Association President Wilma Jones; and Mercedes Clark Baker, daughter of former Fire Captain Alfred W. Clark.
Tributes were paid to the last living member of the first paid Fire Station 8 team, honored guest Hartman Reed; and the last station volunteer firefighter, honored guest Jerome Smith, for their courage and commitment to the Halls Hill community. Also saluted were retired first responders and the families of many others who served at the station over the decades.
A popular notion holds that Arlington’s Fire Station 8 was the first officially Black-run and Black-operated fire station south of the Mason-Dixon line. The Arlington County Fire Department and Fire Station 8 were integrated by early 1963.
Saturday’s event also included an open house and family activities, along with tours of the station and its powerful historical exhibit.
The three-story, award-winning state-of-the-art fire station features a wide four-door apparatus bay, a decontamination zone, and a pharmacy room.
As Arlington’s first fire station to incorporate many of the county’s sustainability goals, it includes an underground stormwater vault, a green vegetated roof, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and 57 solar panels on the roof to help reduce demands on the local energy grid.
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Posted: Apr 29, 2025
Lubbock Fire Rescue announced recently that it has placed in service a new helmet and a newly dedicated blocker truck for roadway incidents, everythinglubbock.com reported.
Lubbuck Fire Rescue’s new roadway incident helmet. (Source: Lubbock Fire Rescue)
The department will use a helmet with foam on the inside, like what skateboarders and motorcyclists wear, for roadway incidents.
The rig, a re-purposed pumper given a second life with LFR, has been retrofitted with directional lighting, additional LED lighting, and a lighted sign board, the report said.
The blocker truck will provide an additional layer of safety for first responders working on roadways during emergency incidents.
The department made a video (above) about the reason behind the new helmet and blocker truck.
“January 11, 2020, was a tragic day for Lubbock Fire Rescue and the Lubbock Police Department—one that brought important lessons for our department,” LFR said in a Facebook post. This informational video highlights key initiatives developed by the Roadway Safety Committee, including:
- Roadway Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Updated Response Packages for Roadway Incidents
- Our new Blocker Program — the latest addition, going into service in the coming weeks
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Posted: Apr 29, 2025
One point to highlight from this Podcast is whether or not we are evolving our fire apparatus designs to be in line with the needs of contemporary firefighters. While many apparatus features have been heavily influenced by traditional practices, there is a clear call for department to rethink these designs. The advent of electronic pump controls showcased at the conference raised important questions about whether modern apparatus is being built with today’s firefighters in mind.
Firefighters currently entering the profession are accustomed to user-friendly technology, like touchscreens on personal devices. However, many existing apparatus designs closely resemble those from decades ago. This generational difference can create a disconnect between the tools available and the operators’ capabilities and comfort levels. Rethinking apparatus design to accommodate the preferences and skills of younger firefighters could significantly enhance their effectiveness in emergency situations.
One observation from FDIC International 2025 was the number of stock rigs on the floor. These vehicles, often pre-manufactured and ready for quick deployment, have become an attractive option for many departments facing protracted procurement timelines. These apparatus do not equate to a lack of options; they can still be customized to a degree depending on the specifications needed by the department.
The strategic advantage of acquiring stock rigs can be particularly critical, as departments seek to address immediate operational needs without the long lead times typically associated with custom orders.
Overall, as fire departments navigate a rapidly evolving landscape characterized by technological advancements and market fluctuations, the insights shared during the FDIC International 2025 podcast serve as a timely reminder of the pressing need for adaptation, innovation, and collaboration within the fire service community.
FDIC International 2025 offered an invaluable platform for exploring the intersection of technology and firefighting practices. By embracing these emerging trends, fire apparatus manufacturers and emergency responders can work together to craft solutions that are both effective and relevant, ensuring that the fire service continues to evolve and effectively meet the demands of modern emergencies.
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