Frontline Communications, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc., and a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), announced today Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida, has taken delivery of three disaster response vehicles incorporating advanced communication and technology features. Sold through Pierce and Frontline Communications’ dealer, Ten-8 Fire Equipment, the highly customized vehicles include two C-25 Mobile Command Vehicles and one C-33 Mobile Command Center.

“When hurricane Michael came through in 2018, it was a category 5 event resulting in extensive damage and communications challenges,” said James Baxley Jr., executive director of radio, TV, and broadcasting with Gulf Coast State College. “We aimed to close communications gaps and do a better job next time, and our new Frontline Communications disaster response vehicles provide us with the most technologically advanced resources to face future events. The vehicles were obtained through the Triumph Grant and maintain an eight-county memorandum of understanding to be put in service where and when needed to support emergency operations.”

Some of the most notable system design and integrated communications attributes of Gulf Coast State College’s new disaster response vehicles include:

• Cellular and satellite data network
• Point-to-point transmission system 2+ gigabit per minute
• Dual HD/thermal PTZ camera
• Columbia weatherstation
• HAM radio system with auto-tuning and PC controls
• Video switching matrix
• Multiple PCs for data processing
• 42-foot mast for custom antenna/camera deployment
• Docking station for TVU cellular backpack encoder
• Exterior workstation with anti-glare monitor
• Electric awning
• UHF, VHF, and HAM radios

The vehicles’ data services on a cellular and satellite backbone are augmented by a mast-based, point-to-point transmission system featuring auto-acquisition and transfer rates of over two gigabit per minute, intended for transfer of live UAV video between trucks.

Other vehicle features include:

Baxley added, “With over 40 years of building communications vehicles, we knew Frontline Communications would be able to deliver what we needed. These new vehicles were customized to fit our needs, and we hope even more than the eight counties around us will benefit from their remarkable features when they are faced with water, hurricanes, fire, and other emergencies.”

Gulf Coast State College’s new disaster response vehicles were delivered in late May, and emergency responders have begun extensive training to properly utilize the assets when needed.

“We’ve appreciated having the opportunity to work with Gulf Coast State College developing vehicles which will provide critical disaster response and communications support for such a substantial geographic area in Florida,” said Rob McAtee, fire apparatus sales representative with Ten-8 Fire Equipment. “The customized design of the two C-25 Mobile Command Vehicles and o

Clear Lake (IA) Fire Department has felt the effects of inflation as the cost of a new pumper has increased by more than nine percent in just six months, according to a report published by the Globe Gazette.

The report said the department’s bid on a Class A pumper increased by from an estimated cost of about $650,000 to $710,483 with a prepayment option.

The increase was largely attributed to a stainless steel price increase of about 50 percent and increases in petroleum, according to the report.

For the prior six months, the department checked out seven apparatus manufacturers, but only got one bid on the apparatus, the report said, noting the department was disappointed that more bids were not submitted.

To make up the cost increase, the department is hoping the sale of two apparatus will offset the price, according to the report.

In February, the members of the Plum Lake (WI) Volunteer Fire Department took delivery of a brand new $660,000 pumper and now they are planning fundraising activities to help pay a loan the town took to pay for the new truck, according to a report published by WJFW 12.

According to the report, the department needs to raise about $100,000 to help pay off the loan and firefighters are planning a spaghetti on August 8 as a fundraising activity.

The new pumper has all new equipment, including new battery-powered extrication, rescue and ventilation tools, according to the report.

Firefighters also appreciate the safety found in the cab as well as the ergonomic layout and comfort, the report says.

Eddy County (NM) Fire and Rescue isn’t letting a shortage of truck chassis slow its efforts to replace a fleet of tankers, according to a report published by Carlsbad Current Argus.

According to the report, the department’s deputy chief located three Freightliner trucks to replace 20-year-old tankers that have fallen into disrepair. The order allows the department to replace the units quicker than the four years that had been anticipated given the shortage and anticipated build times, according to the report.

Eddy County Commissioners agreed to use nearly $2 million in Fire Excise Tax funds for the replacements for use in southern Eddy County. Additional new chassis were ordered and the department could have them in early 2023, the report says.

The county needs about four tankers for each engine it has in service because of the lack of hydrants in the area, according to the report, which added that the department tries not to pull too many old tankers out of service before having units to replace them.