The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office arrested John Allan Starnes, 72, following a lengthy investigation into repeated acts of sabotage targeting Okeechobee County Fire Rescue Station 1 and the Emergency Operations Center, the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post July 10, 2025.

Over the past 19 months, sharp objects—including nails and modified wire wheels—were intentionally thrown behind fire rescue vehicles and emergency access points. These actions caused tire damage and endangered fire personnel and the public they serve, potentially delaying emergency response.

The case, dubbed “Operation Nail Bandit,” was led by the sheriff’s office Community Action Team (CAT).

After weeks of surveillance, deputies witnessed Starnes commit the act in real-time during the early hours of July 10. Following a traffic stop, Starnes confessed to all six documented incidents.

He was arrested and charged with multiple felonies.

“Tampering with fire rescue vehicles is not just criminal—it endangers every resident of this county,” Chief Deputy Michael Hazellief. “We are grateful no one was hurt, and proud of the focused work of our CAT team.”

Starnes was booked into the Okeechobee County Jail. Bond will be set at first appearance.

If you have information on similar activity, please contact the sheriff’s office at (863) 763-3117.

The post Arrest Made in ‘Operation Nail Bandit’ Targeting FL Fire Station appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Fire departments across the country are grappling with a pivotal decision: Should they refurbish aging vehicles or replace them altogether?

With extended lead times—often ranging from 24 to 48 months—and limited funding, many departments are opting for refurbishment as a more cost-effective solution to meet their operational needs. But, is it the right choice for your department? This article explores the challenges departments face in making this decision, examining lead times, costs, and how refurbishment can extend the life of a fire apparatus.

THE EVOLVING STANDARDS FOR REFURBISHING FIRE APPARATUS

In 2024, a significant change in fire apparatus standards occurred with the “Emergency Response and Responder Safety Document Consolidation Plan.” National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1912, Standard for Fire Apparatus Refurbishing, is no longer a standalone document. Instead, it has been integrated into the newly consolidated NFPA 1910, Standard for the Inspection, Maintenance, Refurbishment, Testing, and Retirement of In-Service Emergency Vehicles and Marine Firefighting Vessels. This new standard incorporates NFPA 1911, Standard for the Inspection, Maintenance, Testing, and Retirement of In-Service Emergency Vehicles; 1925, Standard on Marine Fire-Fighting Vessels; and 1071, Standard for Emergency Vehicle Technician Professional Qualifications, to focus on the inspection, maintenance, and retirement of fire vehicles.

Although this article focuses primarily on fire apparatus refurbishment, understanding these updated regulations is essential when considering how to handle an aging apparatus.

REFURBISHING A 2006 SEAGRAVE PUMPER

Imagine this scenario: The chief of the XYZ Fire Department has just been informed that funding for a new replacement engine has been cut from the town’s budget. Faced with this unexpected challenge, the chief must now explore a more budget-friendly solution—refurbishment.

The truck committee initially considered several factors when specifying the needs for a new engine, including vehicle safety, operational efficiency, and technology upgrades. These same factors now apply to refurbishment decisions, with particular attention to the condition of the apparatus’s “good bones”—the frame, drivetrain, pump, and body. After conducting an extensive inspection of the 2006 Seagrave pumper, it was determined that the rig had a solid drivetrain and a good frame, though there was minor corrosion along the body and frame rails.

1 An extensive inspection of this 2006 Seagrave pumper revealed that the rig had a solid drivetrain and a good frame, though there was minor corrosion along the body and frame rails, making it a candidate for refurbishment. (Photo by Scott Poulton.)

The department outlined a scope of repairs that would extend the life of the vehicle by another five to 10 years. After receiving proposals from three contractors, the department awarded a refurbishment contract. Several weeks into the breakdown and inspections, it was confirmed that the scope of repairs was accurate, and no unexpected costs had emerged, even avoiding the need to use the department’s 30% contingency fund.

TWO LEVELS OF REFURBISHMENT

NFPA 1910 defines two main levels of refurbishment: Level I and Level II.

Chapter 3.3.194.1* states that Level I refurbishing is “the assembly of a new fire apparatus by the use of a new chassis frame, driving and crew compartment, front axle, steering and suspension components, and the use of either new components or components from an existing apparatus for the re

Caitlin Lilly
Las Vegas Review-Journal
(TNS)

Crews worked to clean up after a fire truck overturned while responding to a house fire Thursday in North Las Vegas.

According to the North Las Vegas Police Department, officers responded to East Cheyenne Avenue and Civic Center Drive just before 11:10 a.m. for a single-vehicle rollover crash that involved a fire truck.

According to police, officers learned that the fire engine was responding to a house fire on the 2400 block of Salt Lake Street.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries and were transported to University Medical Center for evaluation, police said.

Police said a separate engine was then dispatched to the house fire. There were no injuries reported, and the fire remains under investigation, the fire department said.

No further information was immediately available.

©2025 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Visit reviewjournal.com.. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post Fire Apparatus Overturns in North Las Vegas (NV) While Responding to Call appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The city of Sevierville held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, July 9, 2025, for construction of a new fire station in Kodak.

Fire Station 4 will be a 15,601-square-foot facility, and will also include an additional 6,452 square feet for use by the Police Department and Public Works Department. A fuel farm will also be built onsite.

The estimated completion date is late summer or fall 2026. The total estimated cost is $18,630,000.

Additional information:

• 24 firefighters will be assigned to staff this station.
• Fire equipment will include a fire engine, ladder truck, rescue boats, technical rescue equipment, and hazardous materials response equipment.
• The Public Works Department portion of the site will include a 5-bay pre-engineered metal building with two bays for fleet maintenance, a bay for police vehicle and equipment storage, a public works equipment storage bay and a wash bay. There will also be salt and rock storage bins and a refueling station for city fleet vehicles.

“We are excited to enhance our services to the growing North Sevierville area,” said Fire Department Chief Matt Henderson. “We are grateful to our elected officials, city administration, and our community for supporting this project.”

The post Sevierville (TN) Holds Groundbreaking for New $18M Fire Station in Kodak appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.