To escape boredom many moons ago, a few of the younger members in the fire company would purposely harass older members, including some deserving line officers. Asking questions they didn’t want to answer or broaching “sensitive” topics that could be detrimental in maintaining firehouse decorum would send them into a full-tilt mode. We were accused of stirring the pot that, in reality, meant making aggregate (gravel) by busting large stones into smaller ones. It was fun back then and still can be today.

Raisin Squad members have accused me of maintaining the stir-the-pot tradition because every four or five years I write about old people being in the fire department. My last column mentioned that old age is a contentious fact of life that many volunteer departments cannot or will not address. I really wasn’t trying to stir the pot—too much. Old age is a fire service concern.

One morning I said, “There might be a place for seasoned citizens in the fire department, but not on a fire truck.” Some Squad members who want to remain relevant were unmerciful in their rebuttals. My comments turned into self-immolation—I was making the ultimate sacrifice with my own words. Later, I brought the topic up with some out-of-town chiefs and some of them joined in the attack. The busted-up stones turned into dust.

My Opinion

It is problematic that an allowable advanced maturity level (old age) for active firefighters may affect the effectiveness of the fire service. It may have already happened and should be addressed before someone gets hurt. Old folks serving on the line may give a department a false sense of security and be a potential disservice to the taxpayers. Likewise, having too many past-their-prime players dictating policy, fireground tactics and strategy, and the kind of fire apparatus to purchase may also be detrimental. That last sentence should create a firestorm with active gray hairs.

Although my dissertation is directed at smaller volunteer fire departments, it could be applicable to small combination departments and very small career entities. Firefighters in career departments whose members are represented by professional organizations usually have well established rules and guidelines for their members’ health and safety. Included may be mandatory retirement ages and meeting yearly physical requirements—perhaps required by legal contract with the governing political subdivision. I am not qualified to comment on requiring volunteer departments to establish and follow similar protocols. That’s a bridge too far. It is each fire department’s decision, albeit a difficult one.  

Observations

My commentary is void of influence by any firefighter requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards; staffing provisions established by the Insurance Services Organization, Incorporated (Verisk); or any entity’s established firefighter requirements. My service as an active volunteer ended in 2014. My pro and con comments are based on what I’ve experienced and what I think rather than what I would propose. There’re usually two sides to every story and I’ll try to show both.

Humiliating

Let’s get the embarrassing stuff out of the way. Humiliating is having past words and previous actions come back to haunt you. I always write about the Raisin Squad’s white hairs, old-timers, and geezers talking about the good old days. And, sometimes it’s hard to remember that I wasn’t always old. When I said I didn’t think old people should be riding the load, one Raisin asked me if I remember riding the officer’s seat of the LaFrance going down Main Street when I told the two guys in the jump seat (one sitting and one standing) behind the driver which hydrant we were going to hit. An older past chief in the jump seat behind me leaned over and tapped me on the shoulder and discreetly said the hydrant on the other side of the street w

The Hunt (TX) Volunteer Fire Department received a donated pumper Wednesday from the Jefferson County Emergency Services District No. 3. The district donated one of its engines to help the department recover from July’s deadly Hill Country floods, 12newsnow.com reported.

Hunt firefighters saved lives during the July 4 flooding while their own station and equipment were destroyed, according to the report.

The Jefferson district’s Engine 31, which has been in service for nearly 20 years, was replaced with a new rig July 1, the report said. The district saw an opportunity to give back by providing the older, but well-maintained engine to Hunt.

The donation also includes surplus items Hunt firefighters may need, such as bunker gear and other equipment.

The post TX VFD Receives Donated Pumper Amid Flood Recovery appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
(TNS)

PATTON, Pa. – The Cambria County Regional Firefighters Association is celebrating its new training tower facility and pump system with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.

The event will be held at 11 a.m. at the CCRFA Training Academy site at 292 Ott Road in East Carroll Township.

These upgrades will allow firefighters from an eight-county region to access more realistic and advanced training, according to officials.

“Right now, we rely on used fire apparatus that is donated to use,” said Jim McCann, CCRFA training chairman and Johnstown Fire Department chief.

“It’s huge, the fact that now we’ll be able to purchase a pump to do that, for the longevity if nothing else.”

The pump draws from the academy’s pond and feeds it into the hydrant network, which means firefighters training don’t have to rely on aging donated fire trucks.

McCann also touted the new tower system, which can now be used for ladder operations, rope rescue drills and hose-line deployment using an internal standpipe.

“We do a lot of ladder work off of that prop,” he said, “as well as rope for lowering and rappelling of rescuers.”

After the ceremony Friday, guests will be able to tour the facility and observe demonstrations.

© 2025 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.). Visit www.tribune-democrat.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
© Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved

The post New FF Training Tower, Pump System Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to be Held Oct. 3 appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

GREENPORT, New York (Sept. 30, 2025)—America’s Fire Boat, Fire Fighter, is preparing for her next chapter. This national historic landmark, celebrated as one of the most decorated and iconic vessels in U.S. firefighting history, is seeking a new permanent home where she can continue her role as a teaching museum and living memorial. Since 2021, thousands of visitors have come aboard while she has been berthed at Mystic Seaport Museum. As her time there concludes in 2026, Fire Fighter offers a rare opportunity for a community or organization to host this extraordinary piece of maritime history.

Thanks to grants from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, Save America’s Treasures, and other donations totaling more than $1 million, Fire Fighter can now go to her new home completely overhauled and restored to her original glory.

The 134-foot Fire Fighter requires dock facilities designed to provide stability and safe visitor access. In addition to her historical significance, she offers communities a one-of-a-kind attraction capable of drawing crowds and enhancing waterfront destinations.

“Fire Fighter is known as America’s Fire Boat because she embodies courage, service, and resilience,” said James W. Tomes, CEO of Telgian and board member of the Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum. “Welcoming Fire Fighter to your harbor is not just about preserving a vessel—it’s about giving future generations a place to connect with American history in a tangible, inspiring way.”

A Storied Legacy of Service

Commissioned in 1938, Fire Fighter holds the distinction of being the most award-decorated fire boat in the world. At the time of her decommissioning in 2010, she was the second-oldest fire boat in frontline service worldwide and the longest serving member of the FDNY Marine Unit Fleet.

Fire Fighter’s service record is unparalleled:

•  World War II: She protected ammunition ships bound for Europe, answering emergencies such as the fire and capsizing of the SS Normandie and the explosion aboard the munitions ship El Estero, and near annihilation of New York City.

•  June 1974: Received the Gallant Ship Award for fighting bravely the Sea Witch/Esso Brussels collision/fire and explosion beneath the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in 1973.

•  September 11, 2001: She played a critical role at Ground Zero, pumping water at her maximum capacity for three weeks from New York Harbor, when water mains were crushed and hydrants were destroyed, ensuring firefighters could battle the catastrophic blazes.

•  US Airways January 15, 2009: She assisted in the rescue of passengers from US Airways Flight 1549 after its emergency landing in the Hudson River.

For these and countless other acts of heroism, Fire Fighter is the only fireboat ever awarded the prestigious Gallant Ship Award since its creation in 1944.

A National Treasure, Floating Museum, and Landmark Attraction

•  A tourism attraction that draws history enthusiasts, families, and maritime visitors.

•  A living classroom for students to experience history, engineering, and public safety.

•  A symbol of resilience and service that connects communities to national moments
   from World War II to 9/11.

•  A chance for a host community to join the legacy of safeguarding America’s stories.

“We are inviting communities, maritime organizations, and civic leaders to partner with us in identifying a safe and suitable location for Fire Fighter,” said Museum President Charlie Ritchie. “Her legacy is about much more than firefighting. It embodies courage, resilience, and American history.”

Organizations or communities with potential docking opportunities, as well as those interested in partnerships or supporting preservation efforts, are e

Burlington (VT) Fire Department’s new approach to selling apparatus is putting more money back into the department budget. By using Garage, Burlington was able to advertise their surplus nationally to departments across the US, selling faster and recouping more for their department than ever before.

In this short video, learn from Burlington Fire Department personnel how their experience with Garage was different than traditional methods for offloading surplus fire apparatus and how Garage facilitates the process.

For more information, visit https://www.shopgarage.com/.

The post Burlington FD Recoups $80k for Surplus Equipment appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.