A woman was hospitalized following a head-on crash with a West Chester fire engine, reports Fox 19.

The fire engine attempted to swerve, but the vehicles hit head-on and the fire engine ended up in a ditch. The three firefighters immediately came to the aid of the woman who was injured.

The woman was cut out of her car and taken to the hospital. The firefighters were also taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Oshkosh Airport Products, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) Company, announced today the next stops in the 2021 Road Rally featuring the revolutionary new Striker^® Volterra™ ARFF hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). After the completion of stops along the Western Coast of the U.S., the Road Rally now sets off for locations in the Central and Southeast regions of the country. The events offer aircraft rescue and fire fighting crews at airports a hands-on and immersive experience to learn about the new technology. Additionally, fire department representatives have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with experts to learn about the Striker Volterra vehicle’s attributes and its ability to meet each location’s unique environmental and sustainability initiatives. The Road Rally events kicked off in early August 2021 at Portland International Airport (PDX) with live demonstrations, Q&A sessions, and more.

“We’re pleased that Portland International Airport was selected as the start of the tour,” said Fire Chief Rob Mathis. “We enjoyed hosting the Oshkosh team and it provided a chance for our partners and regional agencies to view the company’s new hybrid electric vehicle up-close-and-personal.”

Upcoming Road Rally Locations Include:

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
• Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)

In June 2021, Oshkosh Airport Products introduced the Striker Volterra ARFF hybrid electric vehicle, which is designed around Oshkosh proprietary and patented technology. Other key features include:

• An Oshkosh patented hybrid-electric drivetrain featuring an electro-mechanical infinitely variable transmission allows zero-emissions operation when powered by the integrated onboard batteries, and can be coupled to the internal combustion engine to provide continuous and uninterrupted power to the pumping system or drive system
• Faster acceleration: setting a new standard for performance, the Striker Volterra HEV is capable of achieving 28% faster acceleration than before when fully loaded, resulting in a quickened response time
•  Idle reduction for up to one hour of zero-emissions standby using onboard energy storage
•  Zero-emission driving during entry and exit of the fire station using onboard energy storage
• Available Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) options for further electric vehicle driving capabilities

“We’ve enjoyed connecting with airport fire departments during the first wave of the Road Rally to share how the Striker Volterra hybrid electric vehicle can meet the growing environmental sustainability needs among airports of all sizes,” said Jack Bermingham, business unit director for Oshkosh Airport Products. “We’ve learned what surprises event attendees the most about the vehicle is there are no compromises on operational performance, functionality, safety, customization, or the configurations our customers love.”

The Striker Volterra performance HEV is custom-engineered and extensively tested to deliver rapid response while simultaneously managing its carbon footprint. Additionally, it is fully compliant with NFPA 414 and ICAO standards while being certified to off-highway EPA and EU regulations. 

Individuals and teams interested in attending Oshkosh Airport Products’ second wave of the 2021 Road Rally should contact their local Oshkosh Airport Products dealership or sales representative for more information.  

To learn more about the Striker Volterra ARFF vehicle, visit www.oshkoshairport.com.

The Rivesville (WV) Volunteer Fire Department recently hosted an open house for the completion of its new firehouse, reports timeswv.com.

While Saturday’s open house had the mood of celebration, there was a melancholy tone as well, as attendees recognized the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

The old station was in a building that was donated to the group in 1984. It was deemed too small for the department’s two engines, tanker, and rescue truck. Prior to 1984, the firehouse was at Rivesville Town Hall, according to the report.

At Saturday’s open house, firefighters dedicated the new digs to former fire chief and community steward, Eddie Smith, the report says. Smith, who was on hand to join in the ribbon cutting, has more than 50 years as a firefighter.

Crew members made chicken dinners for guests for their new building’s initiation.

When Kailani Jo Kroll was pulled from the cab of a Florida fire engine that she tried to steal last month, she denied being under the influence of any drugs, reports thesmokinggun.com. However, she did admit to taking the “Elixir of Life” before trying to take the apparatus.

It began August 20 as police and fire officials responded to a call about a woman acting erratically on the beach in St. Augustine Beach. Police and fire officials arrived and discovered the 39-year-old Kroll in distress, the report says.

Kroll said she needed treatment, but while being escorted to an ambulance she began running back and forth, according to the report. First responders began to disperse, but not before someone yelled that Kroll was stealing a truck.

Officials found her in the driver’s seat of an unoccupied truck, and St. Johns County Fire Rescue personnel removed her. She was handcuffed, arrested, and offered an apology, the report says, that she “lost my marbles.”

Police officials asked her if she was under the influence of anything and she said no, but that she had taken the “Elixir of Life.” The elixir is not described in court filings, but it is thought to be from the mythical world of Harry Potter, the report says. Produced by the Philosopher’s Stone, it’s supposed to grant the drinker immortality.

Kroll was arrested for grand theft auto and resisting law enforcement officers; she was released after posting a $2,000 bond.