A firefighter was injured Nov. 28, 2025, after a fire apparatus rolled over on Highway 2 near James Peaden Road in North Okaloosa County, Florida, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.

The firefighter, a member of the Blackman Fire District, was flown by medical helicopter to an area hospital.

“The Blackman Fire District would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support, love, and prayers for our injured firefighter,” the fire district said in a Facebook post. “He was able to be released yesterday (Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025) from the hospital and is now recovering at home with loved ones. He is also being closely checked on by his fire department families as well. We are wishing him a speedy recovery and will continue to be forever thankful, always grateful and know how abundantly blessed he is to have escaped further injury in this accident.”

The Florida Highway Patrol is handling the investigation.

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The commitment to community that defines fire and emergency services is a powerful force, and it’s a spirit that drives the mission of Fire Department Coffee (FDC). Founded in 2016 by Navy veteran and firefighter Luke Schneider, the veteran-owned business began with a simple idea: to brew great coffee and support fellow first responders.

What started as a gesture of sending five-pound bags of coffee to departments impacted by tragedy has evolved into a full-scale humanitarian relief operation. The company’s most visible asset in this mission is Rescue 1, an apparatus designed not for firefighting but for disaster relief. To bring this vision to life, the team at FDC formed a strategic partnership with Rosenbauer America, a manufacturer known for its innovation and commitment to the fire service.

THE GENESIS OF RESCUE 1

The concept for a disaster relief truck became a reality following a pivotal conversation at a fire conference in 2021. The Rosenbauer team immediately recognized the value of the idea and agreed to build a custom fire truck for the mission. This was a true collaboration, with Rosenbauer providing not just the chassis but hundreds of man-hours and many of the technical systems that brought the project to fruition. The company’s expertise in engineering and customization allowed the robust firefighting platform to be transformed into a state-of-the-art humanitarian relief vehicle. The official handover of Rescue 1 occurred at FDIC International 2023.

The truck’s full capabilities are a testament to the support of numerous other organizations that donated equipment to ensure it was fully equipped for its mission. These partners include Deployed Logix, STIHL, Milliken & Company, Kraken Power, ZOLL, and the JHB Group. The philosophy behind the truck’s design is simple yet profound: When people lose their basic needs, their needs stay basic. The Rosenbauer Rescue 1 is built to address those fundamental needs on scene.

1 A wildfire crew working the Los Angeles, California, wildfires stands next to Rescue 1 with Randy James, director of brand relations at Fire Department Coffee. (Photos courtesy of Fire Department Coffee.)

BUILT FOR HUMANITY: A CLOSER LOOK AT THE APPARATUS

The Rescue 1 apparatus is a comprehensive tool, designed with the sole purpose of supporting people in crisis.

Caffeine needs: As a coffee company, Fire Department Coffee ensures the truck is well-stocked with plenty of coffee beans. The truck is equipped with two industrial-size coffee brewers that can keep pots of fresh coffee ready for community members and responders. Multiple refrigerators are also onboard, stocked with water, other cold beverages, and food.

Shelter and hygiene: Rescue 1 addresses the critical need for shelter and hygiene. Deployed Logix donated an ASAP-12 Rapid Shelter System, a mobile shelter that can be deployed by two people in less than one minute. The truck also features a full-sized washer and dryer, a donation from Milliken & Company, and a Technical Decon Shower Unit from Deployed Logix that provides hot water for emergency decontamination or basic hygiene needs.

Medical and clearing tools: To supplement primary medical responders, ZOLL donated an automated external defibrillator. The truck also carries other basic medical supplies. For clearing debris, STIHL provided battery-powered chainsaws to help remove fallen trees and branches, ensuring access to emergency zones.

Power and communication: The fire truck is equipped with multiple power sources, including a power take-off (PTO) generator that uses the en

The Gallupville (NY) Fire Department recently took delivery of a new apparatus, the department said in a Facebook post.

Here are the details:

“Tonight we officially took delivery of our new 8062,” Chief Michael Boomhower said in the Nov. 24, 2025, post. “This truck has been two years in the planning/build process. It will be used for our EMS first response as well as carrying our portable pump and supplies.

“We can also use it as a command post and rehab.”

The new rig is a Ford F550 diesel that holds five people in the cab and has a custom built 12-foot rescue body. The front compartments on both sides with hold EMS equipment. The rear compartment is a large rollout tray that will hold dirty hose and gear after fire calls.

All compartments are sealed and will not cross contaminate.

“A huge shout out to Marc Mazza at Bulldog Fire Apparatus for guiding us through this process,” Boomhower said. “It will be a few weeks before the truck is in service. This will make a great addition to our apparatus.”

The post NY Department Takes Delivery of New Apparatus appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

When an ambulance starts to show its age, deciding what comes next can feel daunting. Many departments assume that once a chassis wears out, the only option is to buy a new ambulance. But, that’s not always the case.

In fact, remounting—the process of removing an existing patient module and installing it onto a new chassis—can give a well-built ambulance a second life. For many services, it’s a practical, cost-effective, and efficient way to keep trusted vehicles on the road.

That’s the focus of the Remount and Service Center in Elkhart, Indiana, which opened in Spring 2025. Under the leadership of Matt Heflin, a 30-year veteran of the ambulance industry, the center specializes in factory-direct remounts for various ambulances brands.

WHY CONSIDER A REMOUNT?

According to Heflin, the answer starts with how ambulances are built. “The modules are designed to outlast the chassis,” he explains. “When the cab and engine are worn out, the box often still has plenty of life left in it.” By remounting, departments can extend that module’s lifespan—and factory warranty—by another decade or more. Heflin estimates that a quality remount adds 10 to 15 years of usable service. That makes a big difference for departments balancing aging fleets, rising costs, and tight budgets.

The financial savings are only part of the equation. A remount can also be completed in a fraction of the time it takes to build a new ambulance—sometimes in as little as 30 to 45 days. And because the crews already know the layout, there’s no learning curve once the vehicle returns to service. “It’s their same truck,” Heflin says. “Same storage, same setup. Just sitting on a new chassis and ready to be put back into service.”

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