In this Humpday Hangout, Terry McGrath talks with his guests about programs and other steps departments may employ to help increase safety during roadway operations, including repurposing apparatus. Victor Conley, Fire Chief, Irving (TX) Fire Department, is on to talk about the successful Irving, TX, program.

• Irving (TX) Fire Department Gives New Life to Old Apparatus As Highway Blocking Vehicles
• Blocking Rigs

Since 1985, the first week of May has been nationally recognized as Public Service Recognition Week. It’s a week dedicated to honoring and celebrating the hard work of our nation’s public servants, including first responders. 

Inspired by this week of recognition, which ran from May 5-11 this year, Cooper Tires and the Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF) teamed up to honor first responders and give back to them with donations of new tires for their emergency vehicles. Cooper® and GSF are proud to recognize these brave men and women who demonstrate reliability during the toughest conditions.

First responders rely on a multitude of equipment to serve our communities and do their jobs, and with so many fire stations in the United States being volunteer stations, a donation of new, reliable tires that they can count on will help them meet the needs of their communities and stay safe while doing so.

Cooper® and GSF selected three fire stations in need and are donating tires for one or two emergency vehicles per station, approximately 30 tires total. The stations receiving the tires are:

1. DeWitt Volunteer Fire Department in DeWitt, Nebraska
2. Russellville/Lohman Fire Department in Russellville, Missouri
3. Smith Mills Fire Department in Henderson, Kentucky

For more information, visit https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/.

OCALA, FL—E-ONE, a subsidiary of REV Group, is pleased to welcome North Central Emergency Vehicles as the dealer in Nebraska, Northern Kansas and South Dakota.

North Central Emergency Vehicles has been in business for over 55 years. Owner Fred Pawelk’s father, Jerry Pawelk, founded the business in 1964. Jerry was also a fire chief, and many of North Central Emergency Vehicles’ employees are current or former fire service or rescue professionals. From refurbishing and repairs to pump testing and routine maintenance, North Central Emergency Vehicles services all fire apparatus.

North Central Emergency Vehicles includes: 

• Three service centers in the Midwest, including a 3,000-square-foot facility with two bays in Lincoln, NE.
• Each center is staffed with qualified, dependable service technicians and offers on-site training and maintenance.

"We are excited to represent E-ONE fire trucks,” said Fred Pawelk, President of North Central Emergency Vehicles. “The quality of E-ONE provides a trusted reputation in the fire industry, which we value.  We look forward to serving the needs of our customers with this new offering.  In addition, we are expanding in Lincoln, Nebraska with a new building to better service our customers in that area."

“North Central Emergency Vehicles has impressive facilities, a professional team, and to partner with them provides additional resources for our customers in Nebraska, Northern Kansas and South Dakota.  We are thrilled to welcome another great dealership into the E-ONE family,” said Jeff Park, Regional Director for E-ONE. 

For more information, visit www.e-one.com.