A Midlands (SC) man was killed and two firefighters were injured when a car and fire engine met in a head-on collision Wednesday evening.

Around 6:10 p.m., 71-year-old Christopher Lykes Sr. of Swansea was traveling southbound when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck a Lexington County fire engine.

He was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene. The two firefighters were transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating.

Engineering company Molzen Corbin recently presented three designs for the Peralta (NM) Volunteer Fire Department’s proposed new home, reports news-bulletin.com.

The design includes five apparatus bays, a decontamination area, dorms, an exercise facility, a reception area with office space, a classroom, and other amenities.

However, town officials voiced concern about the proposed project—including funding, the report says. Apart from $300,000 via 2021 capital outlay dollars, council has not identified a funding source for the project.

One official suggested breaking the project—estimated at a cost of $5 million—into phases, with the apparatus bay, storage, and decontamination areas as part one, and the rest split into subsequent phases.

The proposed new site for the facility is on a vacant lot west of the intersection of NM 47 and Molina Road, across from Peralta Elementary School, the report says.

OCALA, FL – December 2, 2021 – REV Fire Group, which includes REV Group, Inc. manufacturers of fire apparatus and related aftermarket parts and services including E-ONE^®, KME^®, Ferrara™, and Spartan Emergency Response^®, announces the appointment of Gary Pacilio as Vice President/General Manager of E-ONE and Joseph Belle as Vice President of Operations for REV Fire Group.

“This is an exciting time for REV Fire Group. These appointments will further strengthen our organization and our leadership position within the fire industry. Gary has continuously delivered quality, efficiency, and performance results throughout all the fire brands during his tenure at REV and I’m looking forward to E-ONE’s future with him. Joey excels as a seasoned operations leader and his expertise will continue to deliver the highest standards of quality, service, and results as we platform across all brands to optimize business performance. I’m thrilled to have these two leaders on our team,” stated Kent Tyler, President, REV Fire Group. Pacilio and Belle will both report directly to Tyler.

Pacilio has spent the previous 15 months as the Senior Director, Operational Excellence for REV Fire Group, including roles as interim VP/GM at Spartan Fire Chassis and has more than ten years’ experience in operational leadership. Over the years, he has held several leadership positions with L3Harris, GE and IDEX Corporation where he served as Vice President within the Fire Suppression Group. 

Belle has spent the past 35 years in the fire industry, worked with REV Group brands throughout his career including Vice President and General Manager for Goshen Coach, Vice President of Operations for Capacity Trucks and as Director of Operations and Scheduling for E-ONE. Prior to his return to REV Fire Group, Belle was Senior Director of Operations and Continuous Improvement at TICO.

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About REV Group, Inc.
REV Group^® companies are leading designers and manufacturers of specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services, which serve a diversified customer base, primarily in the United States, through three segments: Fire & Emergency, Commercial, and Recreation. They provide customized vehicle solutions for applications, including essential needs for public services (ambulances, fire apparatus, school buses, and transit buses), commercial infrastructure (terminal trucks and industrial sweepers), and consumer leisure (recreational vehicles). REV Group’s diverse portfolio is made up of well-established principal vehicle brands, including many of the most recognizable names within their industry. Several of REV Group’s brands pioneered their specialty vehicle product categories and date back more than 50 years. REV Group trades on the NYSE under the symbol REVG. Investors-REVG

A new fire station is now in service in southern Overland Park (KS), helping support growing emergency needs in the area. The Overland Park Fire Department opened Fire Station 48, near 175th and Quivira, on Monday, Nov. 29.

Located on the campus of Blue Valley Southwest High School, the station reflects a unique partnership between the Overland Park Fire Department and Blue Valley School District. The district provided the land, and the Fire Department in exchange helps teach the new Blue Valley Fire Science program, which launched this fall.

Fire Chief Bryan Dehner, Mayor Carl Gerlach, and District Superintendent Tonya Merrigan spoke during the dedication ceremony, touching on the new station and the partnership that made it possible.

These local leaders and other key staff and elected officials, led by Public Safety Committee Chair and City Council Member Paul Lyons, then uncoupled a fire hose — the department’s version of a ribbon cutting.

“This is truly a remarkable and momentous day for the City of Overland Park,” Mayor Gerlach said. “Opening Fire Station 48 on the grounds of Blue Valley Southwest High School is another sign that the City of Overland Park is committed to public safety.”

The new fire station will shorten response times for the developing surroundings. It supports three crews working different 24-hour shifts. The facility features a garage bay for fire trucks and a brush rig (used to put out grass fires), a living and training space, gender-inclusive restrooms and private bunk spaces.

Transition spaces from “red zones,” where contaminated equipment is stored until it is cleaned, will provide an extra level of health and safety for fire crews in the building. Carcinogens in fire and smoke can attach to firefighters’ gear, so this ensures crews won’t bring them into their living space or take them home to loved ones.

Construction of the station took place throughout 2021. Its November opening coincided with a merger between the Overland Park Fire Department and Johnson County Fire District No. 2. The City absorbed the County’s fire district, adding 22 new staff members to the Fire Department.

As a result, the new fire station will serve both southern Overland Park and parts of Johnson County east of Lackman Road. The dedicated staff of the Fire Department are ready to serve vital emergency needs in the area, thanks to the location and functions of this new facility.

“Without [our staff’s] faith and culture of doing the right thing and serving our mission, things like this would just not happen,” Chief Dehner said.