The Kalamazoo (MI) Department of Public Safety has launched an original YouTube series called “Rolling Sixes,” which depicts daily life at Fire Station 6.

“As EO Technicians and members of the Kalamazoo Technical Rescue Team, these men and women face danger head-on while living, training, and working together under one roof,” the department said in a post promoting the official trailer for the series. “‘Rolling Sixes’ delivers a raw, cinematic look inside their world. From high-stakes calls to life at the station, every moment is captured with an intensity that puts you right in the middle of it. Produced, shot, and edited by the department’s Public Information Officer alongside his normal duties, this series brings an unmatched authenticity.”

PIO Zach Hamelton, who is the show’s creator, producer, cinematographer, and editor, came to Kalamazoo with decades of film and TV production under his belt, wwmt.com reported.

Three episodes of “Rolling Sixes” have already aired on YouTube. The most recent episode was posted in early December, with three more planned for early 2026, according to wwmt.com’s report.

The show follows all three station shifts and features the real men and women who work there, sleep there, and routinely make the place their home away from home, the report said.

To view the first three “Rolling Sixes” episodes, go to the department’s YouTube channel.

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now accepting applications for $851,255 in Volunteer Fire Capacity grants to help rural fire departments protect public safety and natural resources. The application deadline is December 22, 2025.

“Volunteer fire departments are essential partners with DEC Forest Rangers in battling wildfires across the state,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton.  “The Volunteer Fire Capacity grant program helps support fire personnel in these departments with the resources they need to continue the vital work protecting our communities and State lands.” 

The Volunteer Fire Capacity grant program is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and administered by DEC’s Division of Forest Protection. Eligible fire departments will receive 50/50 matching funds up to $3,500, a $1,000 increase from last year. In 2024, the program provided grants to 345 fire departments. 

Eligible fire departments include those that are at least 80 percent volunteer and provide wildland fire protection to a rural area within their jurisdiction. Fire departments that receive a grant award must complete all grant process paperwork.

Only expenses directly related to wildland firefighting suppression efforts are eligible for funding.  These include the purchase of protective fire clothing and PPE, modern communications supplies for more effective action on incidents, firefighting supplies such as nozzles and hoses, tools and other smaller scale supplies, and water delivery systems such as cisterns and dry hydrants.

Expenditures not directly related to firefighting, such as search and rescue supplies, acquisition of land, construction of buildings and facilities, major apparatus purchases, and maintenance items (gas/gas cans, oil, bar chain oil) are not eligible for funding.

For applications and additional information about the grant program, contact DEC at (518) 402-8839, or write to NYSDEC, Division of Forest Protection, 625 Broadway 11th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-2560, or visit the DEC website. 

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Silver Ships, Inc. has delivered a new fire rescue vessel to the Destin Fire Control District, the company said in a press release.

The 52-foot Coastal Fast Response Boat (CFRB), identified as M-19, is outfitted with four 425 HP Yamaha outboards, two 1,500-gallon Darley fire pumps, and advanced firefighting and patient care technology.

“The first Coastal Fast Response Fireboat represents an innovative leap from our proven 43-foot patrol platform, tailored to meet the unique demands of maritime firefighting,” said David Hunt, Director of Business Development for Silver Ships. “Its speed, versatility and capability make it an ideal asset for protecting the Destin waterfront.”

The addition to the district’s fleet, which is the largest in Florida, will protect people both on water and land – it can operate as a floating ambulance and respond to structure fires on or near the water. Its primary mission is to better accommodate the district’s large fishing fleet by providing medical care, fire suppression, and support to offshore military.

“Not only is this vessel an asset for our residents and visitors of Destin, it is also considered a federal asset,” said Mike Landis, Deputy Chief of the Destin Fire Control District. “We are surrounded by three military bases, special force groups, countless commercial and private fishermen and a vast community of people from all over the world. This asset provides fire protection and emergency medical response on our waterways, giving us the range and speed to respond appropriately even in the toughest conditions.”

The vessel’s standout feature – two fire pumps capable of pushing 3,000 gallons per minute – is accompanied by shock mitigating decking and seating for personnel safety, a thermal camera for search and rescue operations, a full electronics and communication suite, emergency lighting and other top-of-the-line technology. An enclosed, climate-controlled cabin offers space and equipment to care for patients while transporting them safely to land, including monitors for vitals and IV equipment.

“The size and design of the boat are incredibly impactful,” said Landis. “The design paired with the enclosed cabin and powerful outboard motors will ensure we will be able to handle rougher seas – particularly the East Pass, which is nearly impassable with a smaller or differently designed vessel – and respond to our community of fishing fleets in a timely manner.”

Silver Ships’ newest product line, the Coastal Fast Response Boat (CFRB) series, was created partially in response to Destin Fire Control District’s unique needs for a multi-purpose, quick-response fire boat. The line of vessels supports law enforcement, fire departments, search and rescue organizations, first responders and personnel recovery missions. Typically ranging from 42ft to 48ft, CFRBs share the same benefits of larger patrol boats but are more agile due to their smaller size.

M-19 is docked at the Destin Fire Public Safety Dock at Destin Fire Control District Station 19 and rounds out the station’s marine division that includes two additional boats, two swift water 15-foot inflatables with jet motors and jet skis.

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In this episode, Andy Soccodato and Bill Adkins share lessons learned from their training experiences during 2025. The discussion touched on numerous practical aspects of water supply, pumping operations, and apparatus setup within diverse firefighting environments.

For a deep dive into water supply operations and apparatus setups drawn from across the country, this podcast remains a valuable resource to bookmark and share among pump operators and water supply officers alike.
Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech.

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