First Priority Group (FPG), a manufacturer, dealer, upfitter and service provider of emergency and specialty vehicles, announce its acquisition of P.L. Custom Body and Equipment Co., Inc. (PL Custom Emergency Vehicles or PL Custom), one of the nation’s most longstanding ambulance manufacturers.

The acquisition includes all affiliated PL Custom brands, such as Rescue 1 and NJEV (New Jersey Emergency Vehicles). This acquisition marks a milestone in the continued growth of both organizations and emphasizes FPG’s commitment to supporting businesses and service to first responders.

With this acquisition, both First Priority Group and PL Custom Emergency Vehicles will continue operations independently, maintaining their current management teams, employees and facilities. All existing operations and customer engagements will proceed as normal, with no anticipated changes.

“This partnership is about growth, not change. Our mission is to partner with PL Custom as they continue to operate independently. Together, we’re preserving the values that matter most in this industry – culture and dedication to serving first responders.” said Alex Cherepakhov, CEO of First Priority Group. “PL Custom is a company we’ve long admired, not only for the quality of their ambulances, but for their people-first culture and deep roots in the industry.”

“Joining forces with First Priority Group is an exciting step for our company and our people,” said Deborah Thomson, President of PL Custom Emergency Vehicles. “What made this decision feel right is FPG’s deep respect for our legacy and their commitment to keeping our team, culture and operations intact. We remain a proud and independent manufacturer, and with FPG’s support, we are better positioned than ever to grow and serve our customers with the same excellence they’ve come to expect for years to come”.

About First Priority Group

Established in 1998, First Priority Group (FPG) is a diversified manufacturer and dealer of emergency and specialty vehicles. FPG’s Conversion Division is one of the largest upfitters of emergency command and specialty vehicles, providing custom solutions to law enforcement, emergency and commercial customers throughout the US. FPG’s EMS Division distributes new ambulances manufactured by the Demers Braun Crestline (DBC) group while serving as one of nation’s largest remounters. To learn more about First Priority Group, please visit https://www.1fpg.com

About P.L. Custom Body and Equipment Co., Inc.

P.L. Custom Body and Equipment Co., Inc. has been in business since 1946 and has been owned by the Smock family since 1970. This Manasquan, NJ based company sells through a network of 17 independent dealers covering 27 states and the District of Columbia. PL Custom Emergency Vehicle and Rescue 1 are the manufacturing divisions of the corporation and are proud to maintain a strong reputation as a customer focused designer and manufacturer of ambulances and rescue vehicles. PLCB continues to grow at a consistent pace, happy to be able to add partners who share our long-term vision for high quality products, outstanding customer service, and smart and sustainable growth. We are small by design, family-owned, and rich in heritage and tradition.

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The FEMSA August 2025 podcast episode with James Long and Karen Emory delivers an eye-opening perspective on the indispensable role of dealers and distributors in the fire service. As the bridge between manufacturers and fire departments, dealers provide vital service, education, and support that go beyond mere product supply. They buffer supply chain challenges, offer localized purchasing advice, and foster collaboration within the fire protection industry. For fire departments navigating equipment needs, understanding and valuing their dealer partnerships is key to maintaining readiness and operational success.

The post FEMSA Focus: the Dealer appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

A motorcyclist was killed recently in a collision with a Hemet Fire Department engine, the Hemet Police Department said in a press release.

On Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at approximately 8:36 p.m., the Hemet Police Department responded to the area of State Street and Chambers Avenue regarding a report of a traffic collision.

Upon arrival, officers determined that a small motorcycle had been involved in a collision with a Hemet Fire Department engine. Emergency personnel immediately rendered life-saving measures to the rider of the motorcycle; however, despite their efforts, the individual tragically succumbed to their injuries at the scene.

The California Highway Patrol responded and has assumed responsibility for conducting the full investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

Anyone who may have witnessed this collision or has information that could assist investigators is urged to contact the California Highway Patrol at (951) 846-5300 or the Hemet Police Department at (951) 765-2400.

The post Motorcyclist Killed in Collision with CA Fire Department Pumper appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Greg Jordan
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, W.Va.
(TNS)

PRINCETON – Money generated by opioid lawsuit settlements could be used to expand a pager system that dispatches Mercer County’s firefighters not only to fires and crashes, but also to medical emergencies involving drug overdoses and drug exposures.

The county’s nine volunteer fire departments and two city fire departments use a paging system to dispatch firefighters to emergencies quickly, but its range is now limited. Director Julie Lockhart of Mercer County 911 and local firefighters spoke this week with the Mercer County Commission about extending that system.

“Why we’re here and asking for this money is because we have places in our area within the county where we’re not getting properly paged due to the radio system not communicating with our department pagers,” said Chief David Thompson of the Green Valley-Glenwood Volunteer Fire Department.

Lockhart told the commissions that she was giving them proposals for expanding the infrastructure behind 911’s fire department paging system.

“As you know, the fire departments are the backbone of our emergency response and if they don’t get their pages, our residents don’t get the assistance they need,” Lockhart said. “Call volume has increased over the last several years in reference to our fire departments. Many of them are CPR trained and they’re also in first aid. They’re now carrying Narcan not just for people who maybe involved in that type of incident, but also for the responders because they may actually be contaminated when they get on scenes.”

Mercer 911 now has paging equipment on an East River Mountain tower, but the goal is to add paging systems to towers including one at Windmill Gap. Lockhart said she’s also spoken with the West Virginia Turnpike Authority, which has a tower in the Flat Top area, about installing equipment on it. She added that the 911 center is also working with MCA Motorola, which supplies its paging systems and radio equipment.

“I’ve been given quotes on what it would cost to add those two tower sites to our area. It’s going to be around $44,602,” Lockhart said. “And that covers all the hardware and everything we would need to get those implemented for our departments.”

Around another $35,000 would be needed for a generator at one of the towers to make sure there is continuous service, she said.

Besides responding to fire calls, the county’s firefighters also respond to medical calls that could expose them to hazmat situations involving drugs, Lockhart said.

Commissioner Brian Blankenship said he had previously proposed using opioid funds to fill request like the 911 center’s. The request would be put in a resolution showing how it complies with the MOU or memorandum of understanding outlining how opioid money can be spent.

Opioid funds are heavily audited, Blankenship said. There was more leeway with federal American Rescue Plan money that counties and cities were awarded after the Covid-19 pandemic, but money generated from opioid lawsuit settlements is under tighter restrictions.

Blankenship said he would like to revisit the 911 request during the commission’s next meeting. This would allow the commission to research what part of the MOU that it would fall under so it could go into a resolution.

Greg Puckett said that he agreed with Blankenship.

“This is a request that I do believe it fits under,” he said. There are several other ones across the country that do support their 911s through opioid funds, especially when you’re with EMS, safety, security, those kind of things,” he said. “So I know that it fits. I’m very confident 99.98% that it fits, but I would like to see the MOU because I think that does help with transparency. It helps with the audit, to