Heavy rainfall Tuesday caused severe flooding in downtown Westernport, Maryland and surrounding communities, resulting in widespread damage and emergency response efforts across the region, Potomac Fire Company No. 2 Inc. reported. The Westernport Fire Department was significantly impacted by the flooding, as seen in the accompanying video.

A unified command was quickly established, and mutual aid agencies from across the region responded to numerous emergency calls, including rescues and evacuations at Westernport Elementary School, local homes, and businesses. The response effort was swift, coordinated, and lifesaving.

While we know many homes and residents continue to need assistance, full-scale cleanup efforts have begun. Recovery may take days, if not weeks.

“(Potomac Fire Company No. 2) extends our deepest gratitude to all mutual aid departments, the Town of Westernport, Allegany County Department of Emergency Services, Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland, Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal, Maryland State Police, Cumberland City Police Department, Maryland DNR, and U.S. Park Rangers. Your presence and support made a critical difference today,” the fire company said in a Facebook post.

By Wednesday afternoon, the sun was shining and many residents had already spent hours scraping, shoveling and hauling massive quantities of mud, the Associated Press reported. Crews used heavy equipment to clear mud from the streets and carted it away by dump truck.

They started cleaning out the town’s library and a fire station, where receding floodwaters left behind a thick layer of sludge, the report said. From backhoes to mops, people grabbed whatever they could find and pitched in.

For as long as people have been making fire, they have been using water to put it out. From bucket brigades to horsedrawn steamers and now modern computer-controlled electric pumpers, water has been moved from a source to the fire.

It does not matter whether it is a wildland or a structural fire—the concept is the same. Our job as firefighters is to efficiently transport the water from a source to the fire and apply that water. Modern pumpers can deliver 2,000 gallons per minute (gpm) with ease. Do we have a source that can deliver that much water to the fire scene? I intend to take this question and make it a point of conversation and training for fire departments.

Let’s take a brief look at what has changed with fires. Legacy construction used wood, wool, or fiberglass insulation; copper pipes; and furniture made from natural materials. The times from ignition to flashover were 12 to 20 minutes. Current construction practices use more synthetic materials for insulation, PVC pipes, and petroleum-based foams for furniture that reach flashover in a few minutes. Delivering the water quickly and efficiently is more important than ever.

Apparatus

The apparatus we use come in all shapes and sizes. There are custom-built apparatus where we can specify everything or a stock chassis and basic pumping apparatus. The function remains the same though: put water on the fire. It is how much water we hope to move that can be specified on different apparatus. Class A pumps range from 1,000 to 2,500 gpm. Which apparatus gets ordered is determined by the needs of the buying entity. We know that industries may need a high volume of water while residential areas can employ the standard 1,500-gpm pump. Communities that have limited water supply locations, either hydrants or cisterns, may require long hoselays. Communities with tight streets or older water supply infrastructure also may require apparatus to carry larger amounts of supply hose. These requirements can adversely affect the amount of tank water that can be transported by the apparatus. The reliance of moving water to supplement the onboard water can be critical to a successful outcome.

Large-Diameter Hose (Ldh)

Typical supply line diameters are 4 inches and 5 inches. Anything more than that becomes unmanageable for firefighting personnel. A 6-inch empty hose requires numerous personnel to handle and becomes almost impossibleto move when filled with water. Departments that use 5-inch supply hose are doing better, as it can be moved to the side of the road but requires multiple firefighters to move once charged with water. The bonus is that the 5-inch can supply most apparatus to capacity with minimal friction loss. We are then limited by the water source. Many hydrant systems may not have the capacity to supply the 2,000 gpm 5-inch LDH can deliver.

Now, we get to the workhorse of the industry: the 4-inch supply hose. Because of its increased capacity over the old standard 3-inch hose, ease of use with the rubber jacket, lighter weight both dry and wet, and the amount of space required to pack more than 1,000 feet on apparatus, many departments are now using 4-inch as a standard practice. The 4-inch can supply 1,000 gpm with ease. Hoselays typically go from 100 feet to more than 1,0 feet. All in all, 4-inch seems to be ideal for supplying the apparatus we are using in communities all around the country as long as 1,000 gpm will put out your fire.

Water Delivery

Municipal water systems can provide a variety of volumes depending on the source of the water, the elevation relative to the source, and the age of the infrastructure providing the water. There will typically be large tanks on higher elevations to hold the water in reserve andprovide the head pressure for the delivery system. A treatment plant will have pump

R. Christian Smith
Chicago Tribune
(TNS)

After a maneuver that involved temporarily suspending certain meeting rules, the Aurora City Council approved Tuesday the construction of a new $35 million fire department headquarters building.

The Aurora Fire Department’s new headquarters building, which will also include a relocated Fire Station 4, is set to be located on the site of the current Aurora Police Department headquarters on Indian Trail, creating a combined Aurora Public Safety Campus.

Aurora Fire Department officials have said this new facility will improve the department’s operations in multiple ways, including lower fire and emergency medical response times, much-needed expanded office space for department administration and a new storm-hardened, high-tech Emergency Operations Center.

Aurora aldermen have been publicly discussing the construction of the project across several meetings of various committees since early April. It was delayed in the committee process for several weeks as aldermen debated the project, its price and the process of its design.

At Tuesday’s Aurora City Council meeting, just before it was set to consider the project, the council voted to suspend a city code that would have allowed just two aldermen to delay the project without a full vote.

John Laesch, who was at Tuesday’s meeting as an alderman at-large but was just hours away from being sworn in as the city’s new mayor, confirmed with The Beacon-News on Thursday that he was planning to delay the project.

He wanted to either make minor adjustments to the plan, reducing costs, or redesign it to higher energy efficiency standards, making it eligible for certain grants or bonds, he said on Thursday.

Voting against the suspension of the city code and later against the construction of the fire department headquarters at Tuesday’s meeting were Laesch, Ald. Ted Mesiacos, 3rd Ward, and Ald. Edward Bugg, 9th Ward.

Bugg and Laesch previously used the city code that was suspended at Tuesday’s meeting to delay consideration of a new QuikTrip gas station, which has since been approved.

Although the meeting was opened and later closed by 6th Ward Ald. and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Saville, outgoing Mayor Richard Irvin briefly slowed up to take control of the meeting just before the vote to suspend the rules was taken and left soon after the construction of the fire station was approved.

“I’m here for AFD,” Irvin said after he took over control of the meeting from Saville.

Irvin also specifically voted in favor of suspending the rules even though his vote was not needed. Typically, the mayor only votes to break a tie or in a similar situation.

Ald. Patty Smith, 8th Ward, who made the motion to suspend the city code allowing just two aldermen to delay the project, said at Tuesday’s meeting that she didn’t see any way around building the fire station because otherwise it would leave a fire and emergency response gap in part of the city.

“The safety of our residents should be the number one issue for us, and if it is not your number one issue up here as an alderman, then you’re no more than a politician,” she said.

The following personal observations are from an armchair’s perspective devoid of interaction with vendors on the exhibit floor at FDIC International 2025. Comments are not expressing approval, disapproval, or endorsement.

• Interesting Rigs at FDIC International 2025, Part 1
• Interesting Rigs at FDIC International 2025, Part 2

Photo 1. Rosenbauer dealer Brian Franz sent this photo by Rosenbauer’s marketing staff of a quint’s front bumper with a booster reel and steamer connection with a swiveling elbow. Franz: “Booster reels are making a comeback, but are difficult to place on quints due to limited space and weight.” Asked how common front suctions are on quints, he replied, “I would say 50/50. Some still use them in rural communities and it seems cities are getting away from them.” 

Photo 2. Pierce’s Dave McAlice provided this photo of the front bumper on a Velocity heavy duty platform with a 2,000-gallon-per-minute (gpm) pump. It also has a front steamer connection but is piped for hose to extend straight through the bumper fascia—often found when rigs might be drafting. Safety gurus will appreciate the Roto-Ray light mounted below the driver’s line of sight and the bumper’s cornering lights.

The Fate (TX) Department of Public Safety is auctioning off a 2007 Freightliner M2106 pumper.

The rig has 19,342 miles, a 1,000-gallon water tank, a 1,250-gallon-per-minute (gpm) pump and a ground ladder.

Bidding is open through municibid.com at https://tinyurl.com/muy6zb5a and runs through May 27. There was an opening – and lone – bid of $15,000.

All the money raised will go back into the Fate Department of Public Safety.

The post Fate (TX) Department of Public Safety Auctioning Off 2007 Pumper appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

UF Health Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) rolled out a new ambulance dedicated solely to stroke response in Northeast Florida.

Designed to deliver life-saving treatment faster, the specialized stroke ambulance is equipped with a mobile CT scanner and clot-busting medications, allowing paramedics and medical staff to begin diagnosis and treatment before the patient even arrives at the hospital, First Coast News reports.

The new mobile stroke unit is modeled after a similar program launched in Gainesville, where it has already proven successful. There, patients receive critical treatment within the first hour of a stroke, the “golden hour,” which dramatically improves outcomes.

Visit First Coast News for more.

The post Jacksonville (FL) Unveils Stroke Response Ambulance appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

CAMERON MARTINEZ
Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, Wash.
(TNS)

CONCRETE — Concrete Fire Chief Jaesen Meacham told his Town Council on Monday that his department’s Engine 2811 — a 1991 Darley Pumper — is beyond repair.

Because of the truck’s age, the fire department is unable to obtain parts for the truck.

Now the department only has Engine 2812, a 1989 Darley, but its engine hasn’t been tested and fire season is on the horizon.

Meacham’s temporary solution is to come up with an interlocal agreement with Skagit County Fire District 10 to borrow an engine.

District 10 covers areas along Highway 20, beginning east of Hamilton and extending to the Canadian border.

It also includes the region surrounding Highway 530, from its intersection with Highway 20 at Rockport south to the Suiattle River.

“I’m going to get District 10’s backup engine into our station and I’m going to get my people trained up on that as quick as I can so we have an engine,” Meacham said.

In the meantime, he wants to look at purchasing two new fire trucks — a 2025 US Fire Apparatus Freightliner Commercial Pumper and a 2025 Deep South International Commercial Pumper.

According to the council meeting packet, the trucks cost $483,000 and $329,000, respectively.

Meacham said ideally the department would get a new engine in six months. However, he said it was more likely that it would take more than a year.

“If we find a cheaper engine that somebody’s selling that’s been produced, we’re buying someone else’s problems,” Meacham said. “I’ve already dumped a bunch of money trying to save our engine, and I’m at a point now where it’s unsavable.”

Mayor Marla Reed said the town will look into grants to obtain a new truck, but in the meantime she agreed that an interlocal agreement with Fire District 10 was the best option.

“An interlocal would be basically an agreement to provide services, and so we would share equipment,” Reed said. “There would be a cost, but it wouldn’t be more than what we’re already budgeting for the fire department.”

Reed agreed to draft an interlocal agreement to send to District 10.

Concrete’s next Town Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 27. For more information, visit townofconcrete.com.

© 2025 the Skagit Valley Herald (Mount Vernon, Wash.). Visit www.goskagit.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post Concrete (WA) VFD Engine Beyond Repair, Chief Says appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Portable water tanks are the substitute for hydrant systems in rural and some suburban areas without pressurized water hydrants. Responding to fire department needs and requests, portable water tank manufacturers have developed a variety of products crafted with features that departments have come to rely on for water transfer and supply.

Jay Claeys, president of Husky Portable Containment, says Husky makes a number of portable water tank models, with its core product being square folding frame tanks. “We make them in sizes from 500 gallons to 5,0 gallons, but the most popular sizes are in the 2,100- to 3,000-gallon range,” Claeys notes. “We make the tanks with either steel or aluminum frames, with aluminum frames having radiused corn ers to prevent abrasion of the ropes and making up about 80% of sales.”

Claeys says that Husky offers three types of tank liners, with the standard version having 22-ounce vinyl sidewalls and a 28-ounce vinyl floor; a heavier model that has 30-ounce sidewalls and floor; and an Ultimate liner made of Exlon™, a 22-ounce-per-square-yard material. “Our patent pending manufacturing process allows us to use one continuous piece of material for the side panel, which is then welded to our Husky_®-Duty floor material,” he points out. “We also install solid brass grommets in a tight pattern that alleviates any liner drooping at the frame.”

1 A Husky Portable Containment square folding frame water tank is being used by the Horicon (NY) Volunteer Fire Department. (Photos 1-2 courtesy of Husky Portable Containment.)

2 The quick dump gate on the side of this Husky tank allows the tank to be drained in 30 seconds.

3 A tanker dumps into one of two FOL-DA-TANK single-lane tanks. (Photos 3-4 courtesy of FOL-DA-TANK.)

4 The FOL-DA-TANK in the foreground is outfitted with a low-level strainer.

Husky’s folding water tanks include patented Easy Lift Handles, Claeys says, which are grab handles welded to the floor of the tank in a zigzag fashion and also a Quick-Release dump gate on the side of the tank, where releasing two D rings and a flip latch allows the tank to drain in under 30 seconds.

Claeys says Husky also makes a Skinny Tank™ between 8 and 9 feet wide and 14 to 17 feet long that is often used on a two-lane road with a ditch on either side so it can be set up in one lane for drafting and leave the second lane open for traffic as well as Leading Edge Tanks®, 1,500- to 3,500-gallon units that range from 10 feet 3 inches square to 14 feet 3 inches square with additional hinges that allow each tank to fold to 8 feet wide and its respective length. All Husky portable water tanks can be fitted with a drafting flange kit flange that bolts to the frame with a male connection inside the tank for a low-level strainer and a female fitting outside the tank for a hard suction.

Husky also makes Helicopter Tanks in 72- and 134-gallon models that are 40-ounce reinforced PVC, Aluminum Quick Assemble AQUA tanks from 100 to 3,000 gallons that snap together quickly and fit in a bag for compact storage and SelfSupporting water tanks, commonly call

By Brandi Makuski

A group of local donors presented $20,000 in donations to the Plover Fire Department on May 13.

The funds cover a large portion of about $36,000 worth of new battery-powered rescue tools that firefighters say will significantly improve response capabilities during emergencies.

The donation funded the purchase of a battery-powered spreader, cutter, and ram – equipment used to free victims trapped in vehicles and machinery – replacing older hydraulic models that require more time and equipment to deploy.

Fire Chief Mark Deaver said the tools will make a meaningful difference for both first responders and those they serve.

“These are the types of tools that allow us to get people out faster,” Deaver said. “Without donations like this, we can’t get the cool tools that are going to help us rescue people and do what we need to do. They’re not cheap.”

The donation came from five community organizations: Duraclean, McCain Foods, Paper City Savings Bank, the Plover Fire Auxiliary, and the Plover Pine Village & Plover Meadows Mobile Home Community.

For more on this story, please go to spmetrowire.com.

The post Plover (WI) FD Receives $20K in Lifesaving Equipment Donations appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The Austin (TX) Fire Department recently took delivery of a new Spartan 107-foot HD rearmount aerial (RMA), Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists said in a Facebook post. This RMA features a unique outrigger design that allows full operational capability on a 12-percent grade.

𝗥𝗠𝗔 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

• Spartan Gladiator LFD 10″ RR Chassis with 10″ Trench
• Cummins X15 605 HP Engine
• Allison 4500 EVS Transmission
• Harrison 10kW MCR Generator
• 1/8″ Aluminum Body
• 413 Cubic Feet of Compartment Space

View the full gallery and drawing here: https://mfas.com/gallery/trucks/austin-ladder-22.

“Station 22 just received a brand new ladder truck, and the crew marked the occasion by continuing a time honored tradition of pushing the rig into the bay,” the Austin Fire Department said in a Facebook post.

The post Austin (TX) FD Holds Push-In for New 107-Foot Ladder Truck appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.)
(TNS)

A 35-year Mesa firefighter died on duty last week, it was announced.

Mark Keller, 62, who lived in Gilbert, was found dead the morning of May 6. Details of his death were not released.

“My heart is with the Keller family in this difficult time,” said Fire Chief Mary Cameli in a news release. “We are deeply saddened by the loss.”

According to the department, Keller began his career with Mesa Fire and Rescue in 1990.

His funeral is at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at Mission Community Church, 4450 E. Elliot Road, Gilbert.

Keller’s death hit home for Mayor Mark Freeman, a firefighter who worked with him.

“As a retired Mesa Fire captain paramedic, Mark and I served together for many years, and I had the privilege of witnessing his dedication to our community firsthand,” Freeman said. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Keller family, his crew and all members of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department. Mark’s legacy will continue to inspire us all.”

A day after Keller’s passing hundreds of tributes and condolences had already poured into the department’s Facebook page and other social media platforms.

Keller was well-liked by all and described as jovial and supportive.

“This breaks my heart,” wrote Joleen Stonebraker Stratton. “We met him last summer when he responded to our 911 call when my son was choking on food.

“He was the nicest person. At the hospital he invited us to come see him at the fire station that coming weekend.

“We went there and he gave us a tour. We were so grateful for his help on one of our scariest days.”

Steve Petronsky called Keller a “good-hearted man” who will be missed dearly.

“Mark and his team responded and helped give my mom another five years with us,” Petronsky said.

Daniel Pouliot said that some of his fondest memories during his short tenure with Mesa Fire “were roving into and being tempted with Mark and the crews at Station 206.”

“The brotherhood feeling was strong there at that time,” Pouliot said.” As I see how many posts and pictures are being shared, it really speaks to the type of man, friend and firefighter he was. I am really shocked and saddened to receive this news but it was a privilege to get to know him, laugh with him and work alongside him. Rest in peace Mark”

Andrew Hill said he was fortunate enough to have run a handful of 911 calls with Keller. “Mark was such a nice human, very kind, sincere and cared for his patients and his community,” he said.

Mike Aagaard, a fellow long-time firefighter, said, “You will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Your love for the job and passing on all your knowledge on to the younger generation says the type of person you were. You were one of the best. We’ll take it from here, my friend.”

© 2025 East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.). Visit www.eastvalleytribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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HENDERSON, Kentucky (May 13, 2025)—The city of Henderson officially broke ground on the new Fire Station 1 this afternoon, marking a major step forward in enhancing the city’s emergency response capabilities and public safety infrastructure, the city said in a press release. City officials, fire department leadership, and members of the community gathered to celebrate the launch of this state-of-the-art facility.

The new 20,000-square-foot station will replace the city’s aging central station and is designed to meet the current and future needs of both the Henderson Fire Department and the growing community it serves.

“This new facility represents a huge leap forward for our department and our city,” said Josh Dixon Henderson Fire Chief. “It’s about faster responses, better training, and being more equipped to serve Henderson residents in every emergency.”

Key features and benefits of the new Fire Station 1 include:

• Safe Haven Baby Box: Henderson Fire Station 1 will be equipped with the city’s only Safe Haven Baby Box, providing a safe, secure, and anonymous option for parents in crisis to legally surrender a newborn. This life-saving resource offers compassion and protection for both infants and parents.
• Modern Bay Doors: The station will include bi-fold bay doors that open more quickly than traditional doors, require less maintenance, and improve both visibility and response times. These doors also enhance the building’s overall appearance with a clean, modern look.
• Advanced Training Facilities: The station will house a large training room capable of hosting outside training classes, allowing the Henderson Fire Department to collaborate with other agencies and expand professional development. A built-in training tower will support critical, year-round firefighter training—including: high rope rescue, confined space operations, hose deployment, and simulated smoke conditions.
• Centralized Equipment Storage: Once again the station will house both the rescue apparatus and the fire boat together in a centrally located facility. This will allow for quicker deployment and decreased response times, ultimately leading to better service for Henderson residents.
• Improved Access to Densely Populated Areas: The central location of Fire Station 1 will provide faster access to Henderson’s most densely populated areas, ensuring more efficient emergency response where it’s needed most. This includes enhanced coverage for residents in the East End, who will benefit from quicker access to first responders and a greater sense of security. 

This facility isn’t just a building—it’s a commitment to safety, training, and service,” said Mayor Brad Staton. “It will help ensure our firefighters have the tools they need to protect our community, now and for generations to come.”

Construction is underway, and the facility is expected to be operational by the beginning of 2027.

The post Henderson (KY) Breaks Ground on New Fire Station 1 appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

These helpful hints consist of different applications or approaches to using thermal imaging as well as tactical techniques.

As with anything that we do in the fire service, proficiency only happens with continuous practice. This month, we will talk about misinterpretation, aerial apparatus safety, life safety equipment, training, and exposure protection.

• Helpful Hints for Thermal Imaging, Part 1
• Helpful Hints for Thermal Imaging, Part 2
• Helpful Hints for Thermal Imaging, Part 3

MISINTERPRETATION

Beware of reflections. Modern-day kitchens are a potential room full of mirrors. Stainless appliances, granite counters, high-gloss wood cabinets, and marble/ceramic floors can all give false impressions. One of the most common rooms for the fire can also be offering the most reflective and possibly misleading images. Note that reflective surfaces can give you false images of the location of the actual fire. Always give yourself a wave if you see yourself or other firefighters to confirm that you are looking at yourself, as you will detect reflections of others. Determine what is real and what is not!

AERIAL APPARATUS SAFETY

A thermal imager (TI) is a valuable tool to identify overhead power wires prior to positioning an aerial apparatus in smoky and nighttime operations. This applies to using any ground extension ladders as well. Use a TI to determine the best placement for the fire apparatus, keeping a safe distance from overhead hydro lines. The distance should adhere to local regulations and safety guidelines. Note that when conducting a 360° size- up, include this observation each time for safety reasons. Regularly check the area with the TI to ensure there are no issues with hydro lines that could pose a risk to crew safety. If too many electrical hazards exist, have the power company cut the power in this area to ensure that any small incidents will not have a shocking outcome.

1 Reflections from a double-door stainless steel fridge. (Photos courtesy of Bullard unless otherwise noted.)

LIFE SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Mount the TI in the apparatus where it is in plain sight—not hidden so it gets forgotten. Use the TI like you would any other life safety equipment. Always carry it with you. Note that all TI manufacturers have a vehicle-mounted powerhouse charger that can properly secure and charge a TI during transport and when sitting in the firehouse.

Always follow the TI manufacturer’s installation instructions. A department that only uses its TI in the most catastrophic of circumstances is not receiving maximum benefit from a capable and valuable piece of equipment. Bringing the TI with you off the apparatus is taking the first step!

2 Observation of overhead power lines.

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