A tractor-trailer truck rear ended a Munfordville Fire Department truck late Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 65.

The fire truck had both its lights and siren on and was responding to a non-injury collision at mile marker 65 in the south bound lane when the semi struck the fire truck causing both vehicles to flip over and completely off of the road, according to Kentucky State Police who were called to respond at 4:14 p.m.

Two firefighters were injured and taken to an area hospital for treatment. The semi driver was not injured.

On Tuesday, firefighters with the Townville Volunteer Fire Department were responding to a crash along I-85 when one of their fire trucks was involved in an accident. 

According to the fire chief, around 4:49 p.m. multiple first responder crews were dispatched to a multi-vehicle crash along I-85 at the Seneca River bridge at near the 12 mile marker. 

Firefighters say following the crash, a driver of one of the vehicles got out of his car and leaped into the river below failing to resurface. 

The fire department said as units were arriving on scene, the man emerged from the water between the bridges spanning the interstate and ran into oncoming traffic towards Rescue 17 as it was arriving on scene in an apparent suicide attempt. 

APPLETON, WI—Pierce Manufacturing Inc, in partnership with its Quebec, Canada, exclusive Pierce dealer, L’Arsenal, has secured an order for five Ascendant® 100-foot heavy-duty aerial towers for the Montreal Fire Department. The apparatus will be built on the Pierce Arrow XT™ custom chassis known for characteristics that meet the demands of high-volume departments. 

“The City of Montreal Fire Department faces unique challenges as the second most populous city in Canada with unique geographic attributes and infrastructure design,” said Jean Thibault, president of L’Arsenal. “The need for excellent maneuverability along the city’s narrow roads and alleys made the 100-foot heavy-duty aerial towers the ideal apparatus to support the critical work of the department.”

Thibault continued, “The configurations offered by the apparatus address the need for a more compact and maneuverable fire truck with lower travel height, shorter overhang, and lighter weight—without having to compromise on aerial performance.” 

The 100-foot heavy-duty aerial tower offers maneuverability, drivability, operator functionality, and serviceability. Other features include:

• Midmount configuration that can also satisfy the needs of the traditional rear-mount market.
• Length under 42 feet and lower overall height (as low as 10 feet 8 inches).
• 1,000-pound dry/500-pound wet payload capacity.
• Up to 20-degree below-grade operation and 50-degree below-grade scrub area.
• Integrated ground pads for rapid aerial operation setup.

For more information, visit www.piercemfg.com.

Emmitsburg, MD (July 31, 2019) - Over the past 14 years Chief Denny Compton has been a member of the Board of Directors of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). For more than 11 of those years he has served as the Chairman.  At the NFFF board meeting earlier today, Chief Compton announced that he is stepping down as the Board Chairman effective August 18, 2019.   

Under Chief Compton’s leadership the NFFF has seen unprecedented growth in programs for our families, a deeper involvement in the reduction of firefighter line-of-duty deaths, and the overall professionalism and stature of the organization.  “I have depended on Denny’s counsel and friendship in leading this organization for over a decade,” said Chief Ron Siarnicki, NFFF Executive Director.  “Though he is leaving the organization, the legacy he leaves will have a longstanding impact on the organization for generations.”  Referring to his work with the Foundation as a “labor of love”, Chief Compton thanked the NFFF Board, Advisory Committee, Staff and Volunteers for the honor of serving alongside them.    

Upon Chief Compton’s announcement, the board acted to select a new Chairman.  By unanimous vote, Mr. Troy Markel was elected to take over as the Board Chairman.   

Mr. Markel first joined the Foundation as an Advisory Committee Member in 2006, becoming a member of the Board in 2012.  Mr. Markel most recently served as the Board Secretary and the Chair of the Finance and Fundraising Committee.  Troy is also a former board member of the First Responder Center for Excellence, an affiliate organization of the NFFF.  “I couldn’t be more pleased to pass my leadership responsibilities along to such a capable and dedicated member of the board,” said Chief Denny Compton.  “As a cherished member of the fire service and a talented executive, Troy has a proven record of commitment to the Foundation and service to America’s Fallen Firefighters and their families.”   

Troy Markel (NFFF photo)

Mr. Markel is the President of VFIS, a subsidiary of Glatfelter Insurance Group in York, Pennsylvania.  He joined VFIS in 1990 as a Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) Sales Executive.  Shortly afterwards, he quickly learned each of the programs within VFIS, including the property & casualty and accident & sickness programs.  In 1998, he became a Regional Vice President.  His responsibilities included managing twenty-nine states within the VFIS program aimed at insuring and providing risk management solutions for emergency service organizations throughout the United States and Canada.  “I am honored to be selected as the Board Chairman and humbled by the confidence placed upon me by my fellow board members,” said Troy Markel.  “I want to thank Chief Compton for his many years of dedicated leadership and all he’s done in service to the organization.”  

About the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation:
The United States Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor and remember America's fallen firefighters.  Since 1992, the nonprofit Foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor fallen fire heroes, assist their families in rebuilding their lives, and reduce firefighter deaths and injuries. For more information on the NFFF and its programs visit www.firehero.org.