Visalia (CA) Fire Department added a second Emergency Medical Squad to its fleet this month to remedy the spike in calls, TheSunGazette.com reported.

On November 13, the Visalia Fire Department (VFD) rolled out its second Emergency Medical Squad, known as Squad 53. The medical squad will play a special role in helping the fire department administer medical aid during peak emergency call times, the report said.

The squad vehicles are repurposed SUVs that are stocked with medical supplies and operated by two paramedics, according to the report. 

One of the main differences between the medical squads and an ambulance is that the medical squads will not transport patients to the hospital, the report said.

This morning Visalia Fire launched its second Squad unit into action from Station 53. Squad 53 will respond on a daily basis from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. except for Saturdays. Squad 53 will assist in responses to medical aid calls located in the southern portion of our city. pic.twitter.com/eiL9KIRvN9

— Visalia Fire Dept. (@VisaliaFire) November 14, 2022

BELVIDERE, IL (December 1, 2022) – Taking delivery of a brand new, custom-built Toyne Pumper, the Boone County Fire Protection District No. 2 has enhanced its overall emergency response capabilities. This delivery represents the department’s fourth Toyne apparatus in active service.

Established in 1947, this fire department has been keeping a watchful eye on the residents of Boone County (IL) for over 75 years. Today, the department covers a 144-square-mile territory, protecting nearly 750 farms and homes. This more-than-capable team of 35-plus firefighters needed a new apparatus that was up to the task. For this, Toyne had the pleasure of building another highly capable apparatus for the department.

The tailored pumper has a welded stainless steel body. The body has several different storage options. The main storage compartments on each side of the apparatus are accessible with stainless steel swing-out doors. Firefighters can quickly access tools for the job as these compartments feature tool mounting plates, roll-out storage trays, and more.

Boone County’s latest apparatus boasts a 3,000-gallon UPF tank and 2,000 GPM Hale Qmax pump. A Hale Foam Logix 2.1A foam system and 30-gallon foam cell provide additional fire suppression options. The apparatus is also equipped with an Akron 3418 monitor with a 12-inch electric riser.

Toyne mounted the body onto a Spartan Gladiator ELFD 6×4 chassis. Under the hood is a 500-horsepower Cummins ISX 12 engine and an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. The cab of the Gladiator has a 10-inch raised roof, seating for up to six firefighters, and an in-cab Firecom radio system.

“It is always a pleasure to work with Boone County Fire Protection District and build them a custom pumper to fit all their needs,” said Michael Schwabe, president of Toyne. “We have ha

For several years, plans have been in the works to reconstruct some of Largo’s oldest fire stations. The first on that list is Station 39 in the Ridgecrest area of unincorporated Largo, TBNWeekly.com reported.

According to city documents, Fire Station 39 has exceeded its useful life and is in need of a roof replacement and internal renovations. The building also has no separate living quarters and has inadequate storage space for the needs of the department.

A fire official said the new site at the northeast corner of Wilcox Road and Jackson Street will give the station more space and will speed up response times, the report said. The county will swap with the city the land where the current Station 39 sits in exchange for the new site, according to the report.

Construction of the station is expected to be completed in the spring of 2024, the report said.

Stations 38 and 42 are next in line for reconstruction projects, according to the report.

The old Dorchester County Fire Station on Ladson Road is getting some much needed improvements. The old fire station had been there since the 1970s, but there will soon be a brand new facility, ABCNews4.com reported.

The new station will include four bays, office space, living quarters and bunk rooms, the report said. There will also be a room dedicated to decontaminated gear of harmful chemicals.

The project costs more than $3 million and is part of the Oakbrook Redevelopment Plan.