This is a result of the Stockdale Economic Development Corp. (SEDC) obtaining the training site and removing most of the infrastructure used for training, according to the fire department.  

“Without the funding,” Stockdale Fire Chief Edwin Baker told the Stockdale City Council Oct. 2, “it could shut us down.”  

This was just one of two SEDC topics discussed by the city council during the meeting. They also addressed updates and changes in the corporation’s bylaws.

CCFD can now move forward with purchasing a new Type 3/Type 1 Wildland Urban Interface Fire Engine using funds from its capital reserve account. Fire Chief Mike Phillips approached council during the Sept. 19 meeting and explained the purpose of this account is for purchasing new apparatus and that purchasing this engine falls in line with the council-approved business plan for the department.  

The new engine will be purchased from Superior Equipment, a state preferred vendor, for $447,862.24. While the engine will take 11-13 months to build once purchased, it will add versatility and overall cost reduction to the department’s fleet. The fleet currently includes several large structure engines, which are more expensive than Type 3/Type 1 and more specialized. Chief Phillips’ goal is to replace the use of the structure engines with Type 3/Type 1 over time as they can be used for structures as well as other non-urban purposes.

KEYT recently profiled a new addition to the Santa Maria (CA) Fire Department's fleet.

The acquisition of the new $1.5 million tractor-drawn aerial ladder quint was made possible by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant. 

"This is like driving a tractor trailer. That’s what we’ve been preaching to the guys on the floor. Not only are you worried about the front part, but you’re also worried about the back trailer part, so it’s definitely longer, there’s more moving parts. It’s a different expertise,” said Firefighter AJ Tevis.

The new rig is expected to help with maneuverability on city streets, which are undergoing significant development.

Read more above.

Santa Maria Fire Department Unveils State-Of-The-Art Ladder Truck

No Commercial Drivers License? Why Not?

Irving (TX) Fire Department 2016 Pierce Arrow XT Tractor-Drawn Aerial

Recent news reports looked at a rare type of fire station about the be dedicatd in Salt Lake City: a firehouse that creates as much renewable energy as it uses.

Station No. 3 generates its own power from a 110-kilowatt solar array with more than 300 panels. It also has energy-efficient features like triple-pane window glazing.

The city says it's the second in the country to have be a net-zero energy building, after another Salt Lake City fire station was dedicated in May. See the video for that firehouse below.

Read more about the features of the station above.