The new Striker 8×8 vehicles will enhance MSP’s fire protection capabilities at one of the nation’s busiest airports.

APPLETON, WIS. (July 8, 2025) – Oshkosh Airport Products, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) business, announced the delivery of three new Striker® 8×8 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles to serve Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP). The addition of these state-of-the-art vehicles strengthens MSP’s emergency response capabilities as it supports more than 37 million passengers and over 340,000 aircraft operations each year. This delivery continues a long-standing partnership between the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates MSP, and Oshkosh Airport Products, with the airport maintaining a 100 percent Oshkosh ARFF fleet.

“Our team is proud to support MSP with the delivery of three advanced Striker 8×8 ARFF vehicles, which will provide exceptional firefighting performance for one of the country’s most critical transportation hubs,” said Jack Bermingham, business unit director for Oshkosh Airport Products. “Our decades-long relationship with the MAC is built on trust and performance, and these new units will help protect millions of travelers, airport personnel, and surrounding communities.”

MSP is the 18th busiest airport in the United States for passenger volume and the 21st for aircraft operations. Nestled between the Twin Cities and several suburban communities, MSP operates with a single airfield, four runways, and two terminal buildings. The airport’s fire department is staffed by 55 full-time firefighters who respond to more than 3,000 emergency calls annually, covering the airfield, adjacent roadways, rivers, and public spaces. The new Striker 8×8 vehicles provide impressive suppression power and functionality, helping the department meet the unique operational and geographic demands of the airport.

Striker 8×8 ARFF Vehicle Features and Capabilities

The three Striker 8×8 ARFF vehicles delivered to MSP include the following key features:

• Twin Scania DC16 V8, 770 HP, Tier 4F engines
• 4,500-gallon water tank
• 630-gallon foam tank
• 500 lb. dry chemical system
• 460 lb. Halotron system
• 65-foot Snozzle® high-reach extendable turret
• Low attack bumper turret
• Under-truck nozzles
• Electronic foam proportioning system with Oshkosh ECO-EFP™ foam testing system
• Boot wash decontamination hose
• Roof-mounted electric ladder gantry system
• Digital video recorder and integrated power unit

These vehicles are designed to provide rapid response and comprehensive fire suppression coverage across MSP’s airfield. The large foam tanks and advanced turret capabilities offer responders great flexibility during critical incidents, while onboard systems like ECO-EFP™ support sustainable training and maintenance practices.

Bermingham continued, “The delivery of these vehicles marks another milestone in MSP’s ongoing investments in infrastructure and emergency services. The Striker 8×8 vehicles will serve as a vital resource for years to come, supporting the airport’s mission to provide world-class safety and service.”

For more information about Oshkosh Airport Products and the new Striker 8×8 ARFF vehicles at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport, visit www.oshkoshairport.com.

About Oshkosh Airport Products

Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corpora

A Walker County (GA) Fire Rescue ladder truck tipped over and caught fire recently, newschannel9.com reported.

Georgia State Patrol (GSP) cited the driver of the apparatus, a mechanic, for not having the proper license to drive the rig. The driver and his supervisor were fired after the crash, the news report said.

According to newschannel9.com, a Georgia State Patrol report states that the Director of Fleet Management in Walker County, Ricky Carr, said he gave mechanic John Chance Pendergrass permission to take the fire apparatus out for a test drive that day. Carr told investigators that he believed Pendergrass had the correct license to drive the fire truck.

Pendergrass was test driving the vehicle, wanting to clear up a brake issue, according to the GSP report. As the rig approached train tracks, the driver attempted to stop at a stop sign but the brakes failed. The driver lost control of the truck going over the railroad tracks, dropped off an embankment, and the vehicle turned over on its side and caught fire.

The post Two Fired After GA FD Ladder Truck Crash appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Hosebed height is more than a measurement—it’s a critical ergonomic consideration that directly affects firefighter safety and efficiency. A recent YouTube short (below) garnered many responses that Ricky Riley and Chris Mc Loone took time to address in this episode of Talking Trucks.

Ricky Riley emphasized that hosebed height must be viewed in conjunction with hosebed length and storage style. A longer hosebed allows hose folds to sit flatter and lower, reducing the height the firefighter has to lift or reach. Conversely, a shorter hosebed with tight folding may offset any benefits from a lower deck height, effectively raising the working height despite “low” hosebed designations.

The podcast also pointed out the impact of compartment style. Full-depth, rescue-style compartments often push the hose bed higher simply by their vertical design. When departments need sizable compartments for extrication tools, ladders, or equipment, that trade-off is often unavoidable.

The post Talking Trucks: Hosebed Height appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), the Amarillo Fire Department (AFD) is deploying Engine 42 and several personnel to Kerrville to assist with ongoing flood response and recovery efforts, the department said in a Facebook post.

Additional assignments may follow in the days ahead as the situation continues to unfold, the post said.

“We’re honored to stand with our fellow Texans during this time of need,” AFD said in the post.

The post Amarillo (TX) FD Sends Engine, Personnel to Assist with Flood Response appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) announced it is grateful to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and the local Firehouse Subs restaurants in Sarasota, Florida, for awarding SCFD a nearly $40,000 grant recently, the department said in a Facebook post.

“Having the proper tools is crucial to the safety of our first responders and community,” the post said.

With these funds, the department will purchase a Polaris Ranger Crew 1000 utility task vehicle (UTV) with emergency lighting, patient transport equipment, winch and other accessories. It will allow SCFD to respond quickly and efficiently to medical and other emergencies on Sarasota County beaches.

The post Firehouse Subs Awards FD Nearly $40K Grant for New UTV appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.