Florida recently distribution $1.4 million in funds to state fire departments, floridapolitics.com reported.

The funding will help fire departments to bolster equipment needed to battle fires and provide protection for the personnel on those jobs. Some 15 departments across the state got a cut of the money.

Gov. Ron DeSantis approved the funds as part of the budget for the 2025-2026 spending plan, the report said. Additional funding is earmarked for the Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Equipment (FCDE) Grant Program and the Firefighter Assistance Grant Program. 

Some $1.04 million of the funding went to the Sanford Aircraft Rescue firefighting vehicle replacement.

The distribution of funds to individual local departments included:

• Satellite Beach Fire Department – $61,767.05.
• Inverness Fire Department – $52,143.50.
• Cape Canaveral Volunteer Fire Department – $42,525.00.
• Titusville Fire Department – $36,446.10.
• Haines City Fire Department – $35,625.00.
• Lake County Fire Rescue – $23,476.10.
• Mount Dora Fire Department – $28,206.00.
• New Smyrna Beach Fire Department – $23,421.50.
• Minneola Fire Rescue – $21,000.00.
• Auburndale Fire Department – $13,955.00.
• DeLand Fire Department – $10,507.39.
• Lake Mary Fire Department – $8,268.75.
• Cocoa Beach Fire Department – $7,297.50.
• Daytona Beach Fire Department – $5,874.00.
• Orlando Fire Department – $5,342.77.
• Lake County Fire Rescue – $23,476.10.

The post FL Distributes $1.4M to State FDs for Equipment appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District in Show Low, Arizona, announced the line of duty deaths of two firefighters in a traffic collision Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, the department said in a Facebook post.

The collision, which is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, happened at 10:15 p.m. on State Route 260 after a car crashed head-on into an ambulance, ktar.com reported. The car driver also died.

“Our entire organization is grieving the loss of our team members,” Timber Mesa Fire said in the Facebook post. “We ask for privacy and compassion as we support the families, co-workers, and community during this very difficult time.”

According to DPS, a driver was headed west on SR 260 when the car crossed the center line and collided head-on with a TMFMD ambulance, the radio station reported.

The driver of the car that crossed the center line and two people inside the ambulance were all pronounced dead at the scene, DPS said.

The department added that it is not known what caused the driver to cross the center line, according to the radio station report.

The post Three Killed, Including Two FFs, in Head-On Crash in AZ appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

COATESVILLE, Pennslyvania (September 2025) – Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc., the leading multi-channel distributor of public safety equipment, is pleased to announce the appointment of Tara Bowland as Regional Sales Manager – Virginia, West Virginia, Southern Maryland, and District of Columbia.

Bowland brings more than 20 years of fire service sales and leadership experience, including nearly two decades at MSA – The Safety Company, where she served as National Strategic Account Manager for the U.S. and Canada. Her track record of building high-value customer relationships, navigating complex procurement processes, and driving consistent year-over-year growth positions WPSG to further expand its leadership as the No. 1 distributor of fire equipment in Virginia.

“Tara’s knowledge of Virginia, West Virginia, and Southern Maryland is unmatched. She has worked alongside many of the region’s largest departments and knows the competitive landscape inside and out. With her leadership, we are well-positioned to expand our reach and solidify our standing as the leading fire equipment distributor in the Mid-Atlantic,” said James Witmer, CEO of Witmer Public Safety Group.

In her new role, Bowland will lead regional strategy, mentor and support Witmer’s growing sales team, and work directly with counties, unions, and departments to expand the adoption of brands WPSG represents.

“Tara’s experience with MSA and her deep relationships across the fire service community give us a significant advantage as we continue to grow in Virginia and beyond. Her arrival signals our commitment not just to sales in the region, but to building the service and infrastructure that departments need to succeed,” said Peter Kosciewicz, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Witmer Public Safety Group.

Bowland, an MBA graduate of Walden University and a recipient of multiple national sales awards including an Ultimate Customer Experience honor in 2024, has also been recognized for her mentoring and leadership in developing high-performing teams.

With Bowland’s appointment, WPSG strengthens its commitment to supporting fire departments with the best products, service, and expertise in the industry.

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About Witmer Public Safety Group
Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc. is a family-owned, multi-channel distributor serving fire, law enforcement, and emergency service professionals nationwide. Through brands including TheFireStore, OfficerStore, theEMSstore, and others, WPSG provides the industry’s most comprehensive selection of gear, equipment, and services, backed by a team dedicated to protecting those who protect us.

The post Witmer Public Safety Group Appoints Tara Bowland Regional Sales Manager appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Caitlin Dee
The Daily News of Newburyport, Mass.
(TNS)

SALISBURY — The popular longtime tradition of the Fireman’s Muster is returning on Sept. 21, offering locals the chance to engage in unique, historic fun.

The event will be held on Elm Street and is a part of Salisbury Days, a weekend’s worth of activities celebrating the town.

The tradition of Salisbury hosting a fireman’s muster first began in the late 1800s according to Jim Moghabghab, former president of the Salisbury Historical Society.

Moghabghab said the event was first held on the beach and has moved a number of times to locations like Broadway before eventually landing at Elm Street where it has remained the past few years.

The fireman’s muster involves a group of individuals pumping water out of hand tub to see whose stream goes the furthest.

A hand tub is defined as “a fire-fighting apparatus consisting of an often tub-shaped reservoir of water pumped out through a hose by means of a pump with brakes that are rocked up and down by a number of persons on each side of the apparatus,” according to Merriam Webster.

While the hand tubs have not been used to fight fires for many years, they are still used to compete in the muster.

“So, many years ago when a fire happened, they would muster up the community to come help pump these trucks, to shoot the water, to put out the fires. And, now it’s a competition,” Jenn Roketenetz, Salisbury Parks and Recreation Administrator said.

Roketenetz said she expects about 14 hand tubs will be at the event, similar to the previous year’s festivities.

While the groups participating in the event are from the New England States Veteran Fireman’s League, some are locals and many will try to drum up crowd participation.

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“There are people from Salisbury that are part of the teams, and then also they will muster up participation from the crowd,” she said.

Last year’s competition was won by “T.W. Lane,” a team from the Mystic Fire Department in Connecticut.

Roketenetz said she believes it is important to keep local history alive through events like the fireman’s muster.

“It’s part of our community story. So, every time we host an event like this or we host an open house, we’re keeping those stories alive. And, we’re also in a very immersive way sharing those stories with generations to come and that’s important,” she said.

On top of the historical significance, Roketenetz said townspeople gravitate towards the event which is a major part of the Salisbury Days festivities.

“I think people really enjoy it, and they look forward to it. It’s something different and unique to this area,” she said.

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