In this episode of Talking Trucks, Chris Mc Loone sat down with fire service veteran Ricky Riley to discuss the NFPA 1900 standard, particularly the recommendations governing fire apparatus service lives. The conversation tackled the practicality of the “15/25 year rule” — that is, retiring rigs from frontline service at 15 years and fully from service by 25 — amid today’s fiscal and operational realities as well as fire apparatus reliability. This Podcast is brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech.

Chris and Ricky clarified the 15 and 25-year service recommendations are in the annex of NFPA 1900 rather than the body of the standard itself. This distinction means fire departments are not legally bound to retire rigs at these ages but are strongly advised to plan along these timelines.

Ricky emphasized that this guidance primarily reflects safety and parts availability concerns. Older rigs often lack modern features such as three-point seat belts, airbags, and rollover protection. Additionally, as rigs age beyond 15 years, manufacturers may no longer support critical components like engines or electronic valves, making repairs both difficult and costly.

That said, neither Chris nor Ricky advocate blindly discarding trucks solely based on age. A well-maintained rig with a sound chassis and functioning key systems can perform effectively beyond 25 years. The decision must balance mechanical integrity, safety upgrades, and operational readiness, supported by a formal replacement plan that considers local funding and apparatus usage.

Ricky emphasized the critical role of rigorous annual inspections—preferably conducted by independent third parties—in managing aging fire apparatus fleets. These inspections identify wear points and needed repairs impartially, reducing the risk that aging rigs remain in service without meeting safety standards.

Comprehensive inspection reports also provide fleet managers with evidence to justify apparatus replacement requests to governing bodies and funding authorities. Citing NFPA recommendations alongside documented maintenance findings strengthens the case for capital investments.

Effective replacement plans must incorporate vehicle usage patterns, mileage, and expected delivery times.

In the end, maintaining a safe and reliable fleet means balancing the art of equipment management with the realities of budget constraints and changing technology. This conversation invites departments to revisit their replacement strategies with fresh eyes, while respecting the underlying reasons behind NFPA’s guidance.

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A firefighter was injured Nov. 28, 2025, after a fire apparatus rolled over on Highway 2 near James Peaden Road in North Okaloosa County, Florida, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.

The firefighter, a member of the Blackman Fire District, was flown by medical helicopter to an area hospital.

“The Blackman Fire District would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support, love, and prayers for our injured firefighter,” the fire district said in a Facebook post. “He was able to be released yesterday (Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025) from the hospital and is now recovering at home with loved ones. He is also being closely checked on by his fire department families as well. We are wishing him a speedy recovery and will continue to be forever thankful, always grateful and know how abundantly blessed he is to have escaped further injury in this accident.”

The Florida Highway Patrol is handling the investigation.

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The commitment to community that defines fire and emergency services is a powerful force, and it’s a spirit that drives the mission of Fire Department Coffee (FDC). Founded in 2016 by Navy veteran and firefighter Luke Schneider, the veteran-owned business began with a simple idea: to brew great coffee and support fellow first responders.

What started as a gesture of sending five-pound bags of coffee to departments impacted by tragedy has evolved into a full-scale humanitarian relief operation. The company’s most visible asset in this mission is Rescue 1, an apparatus designed not for firefighting but for disaster relief. To bring this vision to life, the team at FDC formed a strategic partnership with Rosenbauer America, a manufacturer known for its innovation and commitment to the fire service.

THE GENESIS OF RESCUE 1

The concept for a disaster relief truck became a reality following a pivotal conversation at a fire conference in 2021. The Rosenbauer team immediately recognized the value of the idea and agreed to build a custom fire truck for the mission. This was a true collaboration, with Rosenbauer providing not just the chassis but hundreds of man-hours and many of the technical systems that brought the project to fruition. The company’s expertise in engineering and customization allowed the robust firefighting platform to be transformed into a state-of-the-art humanitarian relief vehicle. The official handover of Rescue 1 occurred at FDIC International 2023.

The truck’s full capabilities are a testament to the support of numerous other organizations that donated equipment to ensure it was fully equipped for its mission. These partners include Deployed Logix, STIHL, Milliken & Company, Kraken Power, ZOLL, and the JHB Group. The philosophy behind the truck’s design is simple yet profound: When people lose their basic needs, their needs stay basic. The Rosenbauer Rescue 1 is built to address those fundamental needs on scene.

1 A wildfire crew working the Los Angeles, California, wildfires stands next to Rescue 1 with Randy James, director of brand relations at Fire Department Coffee. (Photos courtesy of Fire Department Coffee.)

BUILT FOR HUMANITY: A CLOSER LOOK AT THE APPARATUS

The Rescue 1 apparatus is a comprehensive tool, designed with the sole purpose of supporting people in crisis.

Caffeine needs: As a coffee company, Fire Department Coffee ensures the truck is well-stocked with plenty of coffee beans. The truck is equipped with two industrial-size coffee brewers that can keep pots of fresh coffee ready for community members and responders. Multiple refrigerators are also onboard, stocked with water, other cold beverages, and food.

Shelter and hygiene: Rescue 1 addresses the critical need for shelter and hygiene. Deployed Logix donated an ASAP-12 Rapid Shelter System, a mobile shelter that can be deployed by two people in less than one minute. The truck also features a full-sized washer and dryer, a donation from Milliken & Company, and a Technical Decon Shower Unit from Deployed Logix that provides hot water for emergency decontamination or basic hygiene needs.

Medical and clearing tools: To supplement primary medical responders, ZOLL donated an automated external defibrillator. The truck also carries other basic medical supplies. For clearing debris, STIHL provided battery-powered chainsaws to help remove fallen trees and branches, ensuring access to emergency zones.

Power and communication: The fire truck is equipped with multiple power sources, including a power take-off (PTO) generator that uses the en

The Gallupville (NY) Fire Department recently took delivery of a new apparatus, the department said in a Facebook post.

Here are the details:

“Tonight we officially took delivery of our new 8062,” Chief Michael Boomhower said in the Nov. 24, 2025, post. “This truck has been two years in the planning/build process. It will be used for our EMS first response as well as carrying our portable pump and supplies.

“We can also use it as a command post and rehab.”

The new rig is a Ford F550 diesel that holds five people in the cab and has a custom built 12-foot rescue body. The front compartments on both sides with hold EMS equipment. The rear compartment is a large rollout tray that will hold dirty hose and gear after fire calls.

All compartments are sealed and will not cross contaminate.

“A huge shout out to Marc Mazza at Bulldog Fire Apparatus for guiding us through this process,” Boomhower said. “It will be a few weeks before the truck is in service. This will make a great addition to our apparatus.”

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