A Walker County (GA) Fire Rescue ladder truck tipped over and caught fire recently, newschannel9.com reported.

Georgia State Patrol (GSP) cited the driver of the apparatus, a mechanic, for not having the proper license to drive the rig. The driver and his supervisor were fired after the crash, the news report said.

According to newschannel9.com, a Georgia State Patrol report states that the Director of Fleet Management in Walker County, Ricky Carr, said he gave mechanic John Chance Pendergrass permission to take the fire apparatus out for a test drive that day. Carr told investigators that he believed Pendergrass had the correct license to drive the fire truck.

Pendergrass was test driving the vehicle, wanting to clear up a brake issue, according to the GSP report. As the rig approached train tracks, the driver attempted to stop at a stop sign but the brakes failed. The driver lost control of the truck going over the railroad tracks, dropped off an embankment, and the vehicle turned over on its side and caught fire.

The post Two Fired After GA FD Ladder Truck Crash appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Hosebed height is more than a measurement—it’s a critical ergonomic consideration that directly affects firefighter safety and efficiency. A recent YouTube short (below) garnered many responses that Ricky Riley and Chris Mc Loone took time to address in this episode of Talking Trucks.

Ricky Riley emphasized that hosebed height must be viewed in conjunction with hosebed length and storage style. A longer hosebed allows hose folds to sit flatter and lower, reducing the height the firefighter has to lift or reach. Conversely, a shorter hosebed with tight folding may offset any benefits from a lower deck height, effectively raising the working height despite “low” hosebed designations.

The podcast also pointed out the impact of compartment style. Full-depth, rescue-style compartments often push the hose bed higher simply by their vertical design. When departments need sizable compartments for extrication tools, ladders, or equipment, that trade-off is often unavoidable.

The post Talking Trucks: Hosebed Height appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), the Amarillo Fire Department (AFD) is deploying Engine 42 and several personnel to Kerrville to assist with ongoing flood response and recovery efforts, the department said in a Facebook post.

Additional assignments may follow in the days ahead as the situation continues to unfold, the post said.

“We’re honored to stand with our fellow Texans during this time of need,” AFD said in the post.

The post Amarillo (TX) FD Sends Engine, Personnel to Assist with Flood Response appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) announced it is grateful to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and the local Firehouse Subs restaurants in Sarasota, Florida, for awarding SCFD a nearly $40,000 grant recently, the department said in a Facebook post.

“Having the proper tools is crucial to the safety of our first responders and community,” the post said.

With these funds, the department will purchase a Polaris Ranger Crew 1000 utility task vehicle (UTV) with emergency lighting, patient transport equipment, winch and other accessories. It will allow SCFD to respond quickly and efficiently to medical and other emergencies on Sarasota County beaches.

The post Firehouse Subs Awards FD Nearly $40K Grant for New UTV appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.