Here were the most popular stories, by page views, in 2022 on the Fire Apparatus website. We will reveal two stories each day starting Tuesday, December 20. The last four stories will be revealed one each day with the top story being revealed on the last day of the year, December 31.

19. Refurbished Mack/Saulsbury Coming Soon as a Reserve Rescue Squad for DC Fire & EMS – (10/13/2022) – 2,038 page views.

20. Birmingham (AL) Airport Cuts Ribbon on New $12.4M ARFF Station (12/3/2022) – 1,976 page views.

Marion County Fire Rescue received an $858,000 Assistance to Firefighters grant to help purchase 39 Stryker power load stretcher systems, wcjb.com reported.

The stretchers are being installed into the fire department’s transport units to help reduce muscle and skeletal injuries to first responders by loading patients into the vehicle instead of lifting them, the report said.

Friedens (PA) Volunteer Fire Company is replacing its 1992 fire engine with a new Pierce, DailyAmerican.com reported. Expected delivery is early fall in 2023. The cost of the engine is $500,000 plus equipment, making the total cost at about $600,000, the report said.

The new engine will be bigger than the engine now in operation, according to the report.

In order to house this new engine, modifications will need to be done to the existing hall at 2243 Stoystown Road in the heart of Friedens, the report said. Those modifications, which will begin this spring, include removing two doors and replacing them with one big door, a fire official said.

It will also require reinforcing the current floor in the garage, the report said.

The modifications should be completed a month to six weeks ahead of delivery. The cost to modify the hall: $60,000, the report said.

Any help the company can get from donations will be greatly appreciated, the fire official said.

Ernest V. Malone, Indianapolis Fire Department Chief of Fire, is pleased to announce the completion and grand opening of the Indianapolis Fire Department Training Academy, the department said in a press release.

The academy is 42 years in the making. This academy is the first dedicated IFD training facility since 1980. IFD Training Academy Site Info (PDF); The Indianapolis Fire Department: A History (PDF); IFD Training Academy Dedication (PDF).

Who: Indianapolis Fire Department
What: IFD Training Academy Ribbon Cutting
When: Wednesday December 21, 2022
Where: 9050 E 33^rd St.  Indianapolis, IN 46226
Time: 2:00 PM 

Remarks will be followed by the ribbon cutting and academy tours. There will be an open house in the spring.