The McLean County (KY) Western Fire Department in Beech Grove recently added a 2021 Freightliner 3,000-gallon pumper-tanker to its fleet, reports messenger-inquirer.com.

The apparatus—which can pump 1,000 gallons per minute and boasts a 10,000-gallon draft tank—was purchased with help from a $255,238 FEMA grant the department received last September, the report says.

It will replace a 1978 Chevrolet truck which was designed as a milk truck and had a top speed of about 40 mph, officials say.

The apparatus was assembled by McGinley Fire Apparatus (IN) in about a year, and its total cost was about $268,000, which includes a lifetime warranty, according to the report.

Harford, NY (December 1, 2021) – The Harford (NY) Fire Company (HFC) recently took delivery of a highly capable Toyne Pumper Tanker/Tender. Replacing an older engine in their fleet, this is the department’s first Toyne Apparatus. Now stationed at its new home in Harford, New York, the apparatus is ready to take the call for a department that diligently serves its community.

Established in 1953, HFC has protected its hometown of 950 residents for over 68 years.  Volunteer firefighters respond to various calls, from structural fires and brush fires to roadside emergencies and rescue situations. With evolving emergency needs and aging apparatus in their fleet, the department tasked Toyne to build a new pumper tanker/tender.

“The Harford Fire Company is a hardworking department that responds to a variety of emergencies,” said Mike Schwabe, President of Toyne, Inc. “They are trusted to take care of their community, and they placed their trust in us to build a custom pumper tanker/tender that fits their needs. We are excited to see everything they do with their new apparatus.”

This apparatus’ design called for a pumper tanker/tender that could better support fire fighting efforts on the scene. Toyne built and delivered an apparatus that met the needs of the department. The body’s shell is built with bolted painted stainless steel and houses abundant storage options.

Each side of the pumper tanker/tender features a number of versatile compartments that can store everything from firefighter equipment and tools to SCBA bottles and more. HFC firefighters can access equipment quickly with Amdor painted roll-up doors and custom Toyne Tailored shelving solutions. At the back end of this Toyne Apparatus is slide-in storage for ladders, pike poles, and hard suction hose.

To provide water supply, this apparatus boasts a 2,500-gallon UPF tank and a 2,500-gallon Syntex portable tank with a rear-slide in storage for easy stowing and deployment. A Waterous CSU 1,500 GPM pump can quickly distribute water on any scene. Firefighters can also utilize the onboard Elkhart Cobra EXM monitor to suppress large fires.

This Toyne custom body, along with the pump compartment, is mounted on a highly capable Freightliner SD114 SBA 6×4 chassis. With a 505-horsepower Detroit DD13 engine and Allison 4000 EVS transmission under the hood, this apparatus has a heavy-duty powertrain that gives plenty of power in route to or on scene. Inside the two-door cab is a full suite of controls, including in-cab controls for the two side-mounted and one rear-mounted dump chutes and valves.

This Toyne Apparatus was sold to HFC by J.P.B. Fire Truck Sales, LLC. Located in Liverpool, New York, J.P.B. serves fire departments in the north western region of New York.

For more information about the Harford Fire Company, visit their Facebook page at Facebook.com/Harford-Fire-Department.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) launched an historic, long-term collaboration to help fire fighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel with detection, treatment and prevention of cancer.

Occupational cancer has surpassed cardiac events to become the leading cause of death for fire fighters and EMS personnel. Numerous studies have shown that cancer rates are significantly higher for fire fighters than the general population and that fire fighters in the United States and Canada are developing job-related cancers at a rate higher than ever.

For fire fighters battling fires, it is becoming more likely that they will also one day fight cancer. The leading cause of cancer among fire fighters is not from the fire itself, but from the toxic chemicals released from a fire. Exposures to these toxins and carcinogens occur at the fire scene and back at the station both from contaminated gear and equipment and from diesel exhaust.

More than 60 cancers have been linked to 9/11 toxins; 200 FDNY members have died due to 9/11-related illnesses, while more than 3,000 have been diagnosed with at least one type of cancer. A 2019 Jalilian et al meta-analysis showed fire fighters have an increased risk of eight cancers and increased mortality risk for two cancers.

“Cancer is now one of the biggest fights we face in the fire service, but we are determined to do all we can to end this deadly scourge,” says IAFF General President Edward Kelly. “We are so proud of this new collaboration with the American Cancer Society because we know working together with our combined resources and commitment, we can save more fire fighters’ lives.”

The alliance between ACS and IAFF will make cancer resources more readily available through occupational cancer prevention and patient support programs and will provide information and resources to help prevent and treat occupational cancer.

“The American Cancer Society is proud to join with the International Association of Fire Fighters to offer fire fighters and their families the critical support and programs they need to cope with cancer and to prevent cancer in the future,” said Dr. Karen Knudsen, the American Cancer Society’s Chief Executive Officer. “We know from numerous studies that cancer rates run significantly higher for fire fighters than the general population. With this important collaboration, we can help save the lives of fire fighters and EMS workers by making cancer resources more readily available through access to cancer prevention and patient support programs.”

The collaboration will allow the IAFF and ACS to address occupational cancer and share research to ensure that the most current information reaches fire fighters and emergency medical personnel. The IAFF and ACS will collaborate on a variety of projects and research that advance the missions of both organizations regarding occupational cancer.

The two organizations have developed a comprehensive online resource, iaff.org/fightcancer, that includes the latest support for cancer in the fire service, patient support services, prevention programs and other important information for IAFF members facing a cancer diagnosis. A dedicated phone line has also been established.

More information is available at iaff.org/fightcancer.

By Lindsay Dye

Pierce Job # 35018-02

Truck 40 began service with Dallas (TX) Fire-Rescue on May 18, 2021. The cab/chassis are the Velocity model (tandem aerial-big block) with the TAK-4 Independent Front Suspension System and the Ascendant body. Seating for five is provided, as are two EMS cabinets on each wall of the cab behind the driver’s seat. The EMS cabinets are accessible from the exterior through hinged doors between the cab doors.

The cab and body are constructed of stainless steel with side-roll and frontal impact protection, and AMDOR roll-up compartment doors along with hinged compartment doors are part of the body package. SCBA bottle storage is located above the rear wheel wells on each side of the body. The Pierce Command Zone advanced electronic and control system with Wi-Fi headlines the electrical system on the truck.