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/.