According to a report from WCSC, the St. Andrews Public Safety Department (SAPSD) in Charleston, South Carolina, is seeking more than $8.3 million from Charleston County to upgrade facilities and equipment, arguing that its structures are outdated to the point where anew construction is now a necessity and, if not done, fiscally irresponsible.

Fire Station No. 3 in West Ashley is more than 50 years old now, so the SAPSD says it hopes to build a new facility at the Church Creek Plaza, which is across the street on Old Parsonage Road.

SAPSD District Manager Christie Holderness said the new fire station would have an additional bay for an engine, living quarters for firefighters, and more. The Fleet Maintenance Facility, which holds all of the district’s 40 fleet vehicles such as fire apparatus and garbage trucks, is also approximately 50 years old.

Holderness says the SAPSD wants to knock down the current facility and rebuild a new one to include much needed space for service and maintenance for the district’s 40 fleet vehicles, as well as serve the 20 employees of the Environmental Service Department.

Holderness says the SAPSD hopes to break ground on the Fleet Maintenance Facility sometime in 2021.

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According to a report from Newmarket Today, Central York Fire Services (CYFS) in Newmarket (Ontario, Canada) will now use the state-of-the-art SAM system to operate its new fire truck’s pump system, which is usually a complicated manual process.

This technology has been in use by fire departments in the United States for several years. After learning that CYFS was receiving a new fire truck, the system’s manufacturer offered the CYFS a discount as a way to break into the Canadian market.

CYFS Captain Andrew Burdette said that, with the SAM system, a member will pull up and engage the pump, and by the he steps out of the apparatus, it’s already flowing water.

The SAM operates the truck’s fire pump system, which takes water from a hydrant and feeds it into the hoses at the required pressure. Operating the pump is a complicated task that requires special training. CYFS Deputy Chief Claude Duval said having the SAM system in place is like having “a second set of hands,” which will improve safety for firefighters.

Duval explained that the system can detect a critical failure or a problem in the water supply before even a well-trained pump operator would have time to react, determine if there is a critical failure, and then take the steps necessary to fix it.

A tablet computer mounted on the truck’s interior controls the system. What once required opening and closing valves manually to “bleed off” air and charge individual hoses can now be done with a few taps and swipes of the screen.

The pump operator can also take the tablet out of the engine and make adjustments to the water flow from up to 30 meters away.

The SAM system came installed in the fire department’s new truck that was delivered two weeks ago. Firefighters have been training on the new system, and it is expected to go into service shortly. 

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Winter Park, FL – FEBRUARY 2, 2021 – Wheeled Coach, an industry-leading manufacturer of emergency vehicles for over 45 years, has announced Burgess Ambulance Sales, Inc. as the exclusive Wheeled Coach dealer in Ohio. Burgess is authorized to sell and service the complete portfolio of Wheeled Coach Type I, II, III and Medium-Duty emergency vehicles for the state.

Burgess Ambulance Sales is one of Ohio’s premier ambulance dealerships.  They have 85 years of service to the market and offer an in-house service facility and certified body shop.  Their team of skilled technicians can provide routine maintenance, warranty repairs, cot and load system installations, electrical upgrades, collision repair, paint, and body work.

“Burgess’ experience selling and supporting ambulance fleets, combined with their investments in their facilities and their staff, position them well to represent Wheeled Coach and serve customers throughout Ohio,” said Daniel McLaughlin, Director of Sales for Wheeled Coach. “Burgess’ commitment to service is demonstrated by their ability to conduct on-site repairs with their mobile service unit, another reason we are proud to have them part of the Wheeled Coach family.”

“My family and my team have a passion for serving EMS providers, so we are very excited to now represent Wheeled Coach for the state of Ohio.  We look forward to providing customers with the same high level of service we have offered to the industry for decades,” said Jack Burgess Jr., President, Burgess Ambulance Sales, Inc.

For more information, please visit Wheeled Coach and Burgess Ambulance.

About Wheeled Coach

Wheeled Coach is a brand of REV Ambulance Group Orlando, Inc., a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc.

About REV Group, Inc.

REV Group® (REVG) is a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services. We serve a diversified customer base, primarily in the United States, through three segments: Fire & Emergency, Commercial, and Recreation. We provide customized vehicle solutions for applications, including essential needs for pub

According to a report from The Fremont News Messenger, the Fremont (OH) Fire Department’s (FFD’s) incoming chief said last week that the department plans to buy a new truck in 2022.

FFD Captain Paul Halbeisen will become the department’s chief at the end of February. He said the FFD has scheduled when to replace certain equipment, noting that fire trucks are on a 30-year replacement timetable.

Halbeisen said he’s setting up a committee after he officially becomes chief at the end of February to look at the truck purchase and what will be needed to properly equip the vehicle.

In 2013, the Fremont City Council approved the purchase of a new aerial, a 75-foot quint, as well as a 100-foot aerial platform for $1.64 million. The quint costs an estimated $784,000, while the platform truck was nearly $900,000, with funding coming from the fire equipment fund.

Each year since 2007, Fremont transferred money into a fund used to make capital purchases for the fire department in anticipation of purchasing the two new trucks.

Kenneth Frost, Fremont’s safety service director, said he didn’t have a cost estimate on the truck the fire department is planning to purchase in 2022, but the city has been saving money in a separate account for the planned 2022 purchase.

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