Services Inc. proudly announces the expansion of its multi-service programs to now include onsite NFPA 1911 Fire Apparatus inspections along with repairs and refurbishments which allows departments to get A-Z coverage of their firefighting equipment compliance by one company.

This expansion offers fire departments worldwide a cost-effective alternative to replacing aging apparatus. Fire trucks can gain an additional 7–10 years of service life at roughly one-third the cost of a new apparatus.

Key features include:

• Brand-neutral inspections, repairs, and refurbishments
• Rental units while engines are out of service
• Pick-up and delivery options in the US for offsite refurbishment
• Flexible logistics, including onsite repair
• Used apparatus sales and refurbishment

These fire apparatus services can be integrated into AOS’s comprehensive fire equipment service plans, which already cover:

• SCBA maintenance and hydros
• Compressor maintenance
• Ladders, hoses and appliances
• Rescue tool inspections
• PPE cleaning, inspections, and repairs
• And more

With one point of contact, departments can centralize their equipment maintenance contracts under a single, streamlined program designed for NFPA compliance, improved readiness and reduced administrative work.

AOS Services Inc. has been a trusted partner for DoD, municipal, federal, and industrial fire departments for 30 years, offering customized solutions to departments worldwide.

To request a quote or learn more: info@aosservicesinc.com | 361-727-1645 | www.aosservicesinc.com.

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A Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue Service pumper attempted to drive through floodwaters recently and is likely ruined, nbcwashington.com reported.

Firefighters on the engine were attempting to rescue people from a partially submerged car at Washington Avenue and East-West Highway in Silver Spring, Maryland, Saturday night, according to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, the report said.

The pumper is seen driving into deep water, sending water gushing up on to its windshield, the video shows.

The engine most likely is ruined, Fire Chief Corey Smedley told News4. As with all incidents with fire apparatus, the firefighter driving the engine has been placed on non-driving status but has not been placed on administrative leave, and the incident is under review, the report said.

Mechanics are looking to see if it can be salvaged, but Smedley said that’s unlikely, according to the report.

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Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued a new revision of NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, within the new consolidated NFPA 1970, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting, Work Apparel, Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services, and Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS), on August 29, 2024.

As part of the NPFA’s consolidation process, NFPA 1970 combines four previously separate NFPA standards as reflected in the new title. It was effective on September 18, 2024. To give testing agencies and manufacturers time to migrate to the new requirements, there is a 12-month transition period before new elements must meet the new requirements. Hence, new personal protective equipment (PPE) hitting the street to meet the new standard is just a few weeks away.

The focus of this column will be on the big change in turnout gear coats and trousers. That big change is to “PFAS-free” gear. I put “PFAS-free” in quotes, as the new garments will not be completely 100% free. However, they must have detectable levels no higher than 100 parts per million (ppm). Detecting PFAS in gear can be tricky. It could get a miniscule detectable amount during transport, packaging, or basic handling.

So how is the new PFAS-free gear different? First and foremost, early indications from departments that have already put the gear in service are that they have found it does not last nearly as long. Most departments that were getting six- to seven-year life expectancy from their PFAS gear are now saying they do not expect the PFAS-free gear to even last half as long. Read that last sentence again! Hopefully, as new technology, materials, maintenance, and use protocols evolve, the life expectancy will increase.

Another change in the new PFAS-free gear is that it will not repel some liquids encountered in firefighting, such as hydraulic fluid. Dr. Bryan Ormond, from NC State University, has probably researched the PFAS issue more than any other person. He offers a great nonbiased presentation on the implications of PFAS-free gear. A key point he stresses is the importance of firefighters, when issued new PFAS-free gear, understanding the difference in the protection levels of the gear they are receiving.

I think it is critical that every department has a PPE manager or technician who is up to speed on PPE and responsible for educating the department’s members on limitations along with care and maintenance issues.

Naturally, when changes in the fire service occur, social media goes wild, and most of the information is misinformation. It reminds me of the statement, “If you don’t watch the news, you are not informed. If you do watch the news, you are misinformed.” There is a lot of confusion within the fire service.

The nature of this new revision prompted the NFPA to call for a two-day PPE Workshop at its headquarters in Quincy, Massachusetts, in April 2025. The invitation-only event consisted of firefighters from across the country, PPE Technical Committee members, PPE component manufacturers, PPE finished product manufacturers, and NFPA staff. According to NFPA Vice President and Chief Engineer Chris Dubay, “The overall goal was to provide an industry update; hear what challenges participants are facing; and what potential performance changes/ challenges, if any, we might expect to see.” As one who was fortunate to be invited, I thought the workshop was very beneficial. Participants openly s

While assisting with wildfire suppression efforts in Interior Alaska, a fire crew had one of its wildland engines vandalized, rendering the rig inoperable and – the crew said – placing firefighters in danger, alaskanewssource.com reported.

J3 Contracting, a private wildfire crew from Oregon, was hired by the Alaska Division of Forestry to assist with fires in the Interior. The vehicle that was vandalized is a customized Ram 5500.

J3 Contracting posted the following on its Facebook page recently:

“Last night one of our fire trucks near Fairbanks, Alaska was vandalized/sabotaged while the crew was sleeping. They cut brake lines and wiring to various parts of the truck. It had to be towed to Fairbanks for repair, putting the truck out of service for the time being. We are glad none of our employees were hurt from this action.

“We are offering $10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the party/parties responsible for this. We want the person who initiated or paid for this act of vandalism. We understand that the perpetrator may not be the one who initiated the act.

“The most important thing for us now is to make sure the person/company is held responsible.

“If you have any information about the incident please call Ryan Mathwich, owner of J3 Contracting, at (509) 520-8930.”

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