Dallas Love Field and Dallas-Fire Rescue are teaming up to unveil the first-ever fully electric aircraft firefighting vehicle in the world. The City of Dallas released details about the new vehicle and the unveiling event in a Monday press release.

According to the bulletin, Dallas-Fire Rescue and the Department of Aviation are advancing safety, innovation, and sustainability with the unveiling of the world’s first all-electric aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle at Dallas Love Field on Wednesday, April 29, from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

In addition to providing fire protection and emergency medical services across the city, Dallas-Fire Rescue oversees the specialized fleet of ARFF vehicles stationed at the airport. As part of ongoing modernization efforts, the two entities will deploy the new E-PANTHER 6×6 electric vehicle for the media at the airport’s ARFF Station 21.

The vehicle is manufactured by Rosenbauer International and the city hopes it will enhance both operation capability and environmental performance. Key features of the new vehicle include:

• 91 pounds of pure electric acceleration from 0 to 50 mph in under 15 seconds, under 20 seconds in “Boost Mode,” compared to 28 seconds for diesel.
• Increased master stream reach 40%, extending from 190 feet to 250 feet, allowing crews to engage fires from a safer and more effective distance.
• Quiet electric motors delivering approximately 50% noise reduction during emergency responses compared to diesel.

The new vehicle is expected to establish a new benchmark in airport firefighting: delivering high-performance response capabilities while significantly reducing environmental impact. After the completion of a six-month test phase, it will be integrated into the fleet as a regular operational vehicle.

Dallas Patch

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A home caught fire Monday night in Oldham County due to a lightning strike. According to the North Oldham Fire Chief Jim Sohan, a call for a house fire came in about 7 p.m., and crews arrived at 7:15 to the home on Harbor View Court in Prospect. The roof collapsed onto the second floor, which then collapsed onto the first floor.

“When we first arrived, the homeowner said his house was struck by lightning and he called 911,” said Sohan. “Upon arrival, the fire was already burned through the roof from one side of the house to the other.”

It took 46 firefighters to put the fire out, and a crew remained on scene throughout the night in case there was another flare up.

All occupants of the home were able to escape. No injuries were reported.

A strong line of severe storms rolled through the region about between 7 and 9 p.m. Widespread damage was reported, including several trees down and thousands of homes left without power.

A portion of I-264 in Jefferson County was shut down about 10 p.m. due to a vehicle that stalled out in standing water.

WHAS-TV ABC 11 Louisville

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Spokane firefighters rescued a man in the Spokane River near E Sharp Ave and N South Riverton Ave after receiving a call about yells for help in the area. The yells were reported around 12:50, said the Spokane Fire Department’s Public Information Officer, Justin De Ruyter. Spokane police arrived at the area and found a man in the Spokane River, holding onto a branch and screaming for help. Officers at the scene called the Spokane Fire Department’s water rescue team for help in order to rescue the man.

The water rescue team was dispatched at 1:04 p.m. and the man was out of the water by 1:18 p.m., De Ruyter said. They used kayaks during the rescue and were able to bring the man to shore. The man was brought to the hospital following the rescue, De Ruyter said. De Ruyter said the water in the Spokane River is cold right now and it is best to avoid it.

KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

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The Pierce County Fire Marshal said he has seen bootlegged electrical wiring and a variety of unsafe locks on doors that could get someone killed. He noted that is exactly what he is trying to prevent. What they’re saying:
“The situations that we find in these businesses, they’re ripe for a fire,” said Pierce County Fire Marshal Ken Rice.

Instead of red neon signs, businesses like one local massage parlor officials visited now have a red tag on display, capturing the attention of residents like Rick Gosney. “To each their own, but it’s about time,” Gosney said. Rice said nearly 50 businesses in unincorporated Pierce County have to close. Many are along Pacific Avenue, but there are others on Canyon Road East and Meridian Avenue East.

Fox 13 Seattle

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Fire commissioners will offer the job of leading the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department to an Idaho Falls firefighter. Jon Perry was selected Tuesday from a pool of three finalists to replace the retiring chief, Brian Brett. “The candidate has a lot of experience, never has never been a fire chief … a great deal of education, fire service and administrative management,” said Dave Fennell, chairman of the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department Board of Commissioners. “All three of the candidates had a great deal of experience, but we just felt that our candidate prevailed with the most experience and the most education.”

The other finalists were WVFD’s Deputy Chief Andy Davidson and Kristan Maurer from Clark County Fire District 6. Perry retired from the Idaho Falls Fire Department in the fall. He is an East Wenatchee native — born and raised, according to Fennell. The selection followed a full day of interviews Monday by various citizen groups, including a labor panel, union personnel, administrative personnel and the board of commissioners. Fennell said the board was looking for a fire chief with an “outside perspective” to lead the department.

The Wenatchee World -Metered Site

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