Lincoln Fire and Rescue (LFR) invited community members to a Station 8 open house Saturday, May 3, 2025, the department said in a press release.

Firefighters returned to the newly completed Station 8, 2760 South 17th Street, in February.

Event activities include

• Technical rope rescue simulation
• High performance CPR demonstration
• Hands only CPR instructional demonstrations
• A Pulse Point downloading assistance booth
• Station tours with free LFR souvenirs and Firehouse Subs kids meal coupons
• Photos with LFR mascot Sparky the firedog

Replacing a facility built on the same site in 1958, the new station houses 10 firefighters and four apparatus bays, which holds an engine, a truck, and a medic unit. Features of the new 16,000-square-foot station include:

• A facility layout that ensures firefighters quickly and safely get to the apparatus, leading to quicker response times to emergencies
• Larger, drive-through bays that eliminate the need to back in vehicles and an additional bay to house specialized equipment
• Individual sleeping quarters to support a modern workforce and the wellbeing of LFR personnel
• LED lighting throughout the station with motion detectors and dimmers that conserve energy
• Separate ventilation systems for living areas and equipment storage areas to prevent carcinogens from spreading throughout the station, decontamination showers for crews, and equipment decontamination areas
• A backup power generator to ensure emergency services are not affected during power outages
• Infrastructure for future electric-powered fire apparatus

Lincoln Fire and Rescue is a combined fire and emergency services department. LFR responds to all 911 calls in Lincoln and in nearby communities that contract with LFR. Lincoln Fire and Rescue has received the Mission Lifeline Award from the American Heart Association for 10 consecutive years.  

More information about LFR is available at fire.lincoln.ne.gov. 

The post Lincoln (NE) Fire and Rescue Holds Open House for Newly Completed Station 8 appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

SAM MCLAUGHLIN
The Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff
(TNS)

Three Coconino County firefighting agencies received grants from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) this week.

The Ponderosa and Tusayan Fire Districts each received funding to purchase a new Type 6 wildland fire engine, and the City of Williams Fire Department received funds for extrication tools and radio equipment upgrades.

“DFFM has been great for providing resources to districts and departments,” Ponderosa Fire District Chief Lee Antonides said. “We were very fortunate that we were selected.”

The engine purchases were made possible by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs previously allocated a portion of Arizona’s ARPA funding to DFFM, which awarded $4.9 million to 15 local fire agencies in this latest round of grants.

The Ponderosa Fire District, which serves Bellemont, Parks and other neighboring communities, currently has one Type 6 wildland firefighting engine. Built on a pickup truck chassis, and sometimes called “brush trucks,” Type 6 engines typically carry up to 300 gallons of water.

Highlands Fire hosts event to encourage fire readiness

The Highlands Fire District hosted a wildfire preparedness day at its station in Mountainaire on Saturday, April 26, bringing together county and federal partners to emphasize the importance of a proactive approach to northern Arizona’s fire season.

“We oftentimes send vehicles out, apparatus out for out-of-district responses,” Antonides said. “This allows us to duplicate resources and provide better coverage.”

The new truck has been ordered, and the district is expecting delivery within three to five months, according to Antonides. The cost of the specialized vehicle is approximately $120,000.

Greg Brush, chief of the Tusayan Fire District, said, “We have, currently, a 2002 wildland engine. This is definitely going to be an upgrade.”

“Having a vehicle that’s 23 years old,” he added, “we do a lot of repairs.”

Their existing engine had been out of commission for at least four months out of the past two years, he estimated.

The district might keep the old truck around as a backup, but hasn’t reached a formal conclusion just yet.

“We’re out of space in our current facility to house both year-round,” Brush noted.

When the new engine arrives, likely in around two months, the district board will make a decision.

Brush credited the district’s chief of administration, Kate Johnson, for her work navigating the grant application process.

“It is really hard to get a new fire engine,” he said.

Other Coconino County districts have received ARPA-funded grants from DFFM in previous years, including the Blue Ridge and Mormon Lake fire districts. Blue Ridge used that funding to acquire a new tactical water tender, and Mormon Lake purchased a new Type 3 wildland fire engine. (Type 3 engines are larger and carry more water than a Type 6.)

In addition to the ARPA funding for new vehicle purchases, DFFM awarded a total of $80,000 in Rural Fire Capacity grants — available to fire districts serving rural communities of 10,000 residents or fewer — to 13 agencies.

These g

In this episode, host Chris Mc Loone welcomes Kevin Sofen, who shared his profound insights on the evolving landscape of the fire service, particularly in the realm of technology. With both having attended the FDIC International 2025 event, Sofen’s observations shed light on how the fire service is not only open to change but is also actively seeking innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency and safety.

Technology has undeniably transformed many industries, and the fire service is no exception. At FDIC 2025, events such as the Next Gen Fire Rescue Tech Summit showcased the latest advancements aimed at improving firefighting operations. Sofen played a pivotal role in facilitating important discussions and bringing various forms of technology into the spotlight, emphasizing that the fire service’s readiness to adopt new methodologies is more pronounced than ever.

One of the key takeaways from Sofen’s discussion was the importance of simplicity in adopting new technology. He articulated that any technological solution must not only be efficient but also user-friendly. Firefighters operate in high-pressure environments; thus, technology introduced during emergencies needs to be intuitive and reliable.

The discussions at FDIC International 2025 highlighted the fire service’s growing eagerness to adopt new technologies, moving beyond resistance to a more action-oriented approach in response to contemporary challenges. From integrating advanced drones and wearable tech to harnessing the power of AI, the conversations reflect a foundational shift in how technological innovations are shaping the future of firefighting.

The post Technology and the Fire Service with Kevin Sofen appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The Forest (VA) Volunteer Fire Department introduced its new $2 million Tower Five ladder truck Sunday, May 4, 2025, the department said in a Facebook post.

The new rig is a Seagrave aerialscope.

This $2 million project was deemed necessary to accommodate the growing needs of the Forest community, wset.com reported.

The new ladder truck has 264 feet of ladders, increased equipment storage, and improved braking capabilities, the report said.

Half of the project’s funding, $1 million, was provided by the county, according to the report. However, the Forest Volunteer Fire Department is seeking community support to raise the remaining funds.

The post Forest (VA) VFD Introduces New $2M Tower Five Ladder Truck appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.