A motorist is in critical condition after colliding with a Memphis (TN) Fire Department fire truck at about 4:30 am Monday morning, according to a report published by ABC 24.

According to the report, the Memphis Engine 21 was headed to an automatic alarm activation when the crash occurred at an intersection in East Memphis.

No firefighters were hurt in the crash, but the driver of the other vehicle was taken to the hospital in critical condition, according to the report which also said the cause of the crash was under investigation.

The Mobile (AL) Fire Department has added four engines, three ambulance rescue trucks, a rehabilitation truck and a life safety trailer to its fleet as part of a $4 million investment in the department, according to a report published by WKRG News 5.

According to the report, the rehabilitation truck serves as a place for firefighters to go for hydration and cooling down as it is equipped with a high-speed air conditioning system. The unit, which was paid for with a grant, also has an electric water system, according to the report.

Half of the inside of the trailer resembles a home’s kitchen and the other half looks like a child’s bedroom with both sides equipped with digital flames, heat, alarms and smoke to simulate fires, according to the report. It also provides hands on training, the report added.

Over the last year, the department has added a total of a dozen new engines, according to the report.

St. Joseph (MO) Fire Department has opened Fire Station 8 after breaking ground on the new facility in April 2021, according to a report published by KQTV 2 ABC.

           The new station replaces a building that’s more than 100 years old with a leaky roof, shared sleeping quarters and other inadequacies, according to the report.

          Getting the station approved and funded was a two-year process and made possible by a half-cent sales tax, according to the report, which also said another station is being contemplated for south end of the city and a remodeling of the headquarters.

          The report also said the fire stations are considered safe spots for any resident round the clock, 24/7 and any one needing a safe haven can go to the fire station, no questions asked.

Big Bear Fire Department’s new apparatus will support fleet upgrade and replacement efforts.

APPLETON, Wis. (July 25, 2022) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, announced the Big Bear, California Fire Department has placed an order for three custom Pierce fire apparatus, including two Pierce Arrow XT™ 4×4 pumpers and an Ascendant® 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower with mid-mount configuration. The new fire apparatus purchase is part of a fleet upgrade and replacement initiative for the Big Bear Fire Department and was coordinated through authorized Pierce dealer, South Coast Fire Equipment, Inc.

“Due to economic challenges and a consolidation nearly 15 years ago, fire apparatus replacements were on hold, making upgrade and replacement initiatives a major priority in recent years,” said Big Bear Fire Department Captain Norman Dykesten. “As we began the bid process, we appreciated South Coast Fire Equipment’s responsiveness and efforts to introduce configurations we didn’t know existed. The value and quality construction we received from Pierce within our available resources were immense, and we are confident the new fire apparatus will be exactly what we need to continue serving our community.”

Big Bear Fire Department’s new fire apparatus will feature:

Pierce Arrow XT 4×4 Pumpers

• Arrow XT chassis
• 500-gallon water tank
• 1,500 gpm pump
• Cummins X12 engine
• Command Zone™ Multiplex Electronics

Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower

• Arrow XT chassis
• Mid-mount configuration
• 300-gallon water tank
• 2,000 gpm pump
• Cummins X15 605 hp engine
• Integrated ground pads
• 20’ setback capacity
• 20-degree below grade operation
• TAK-4 T-3™ Independent Suspension

The Big Bear Fire Department operates out of four fire stations with 58 personnel and responds to over 4,500 calls per year. The service area is a unique mix of rural, mountainous, and urban neighborhoods. The jurisdiction includes two resorts offering skiing and snowboarding in the winter, as well as mountain bike trails and golfing in the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The population for this resort community can fluctuate from approximately 17,800 full time residents to upwards of 250,000 on any given day or holiday weekend, depending on tourist activity. This creates an ever-evolving basis of fire suppression and ambulance needs, for which the Big Bear Fire Department must always be prepared.

Captain Dykesten added, “Although San Bernardino County Fire is able to provide immediate assistance should mutual aid become necessary, one of the biggest challenges Big Bear Fire Department faces is significant additional resources are farther away. The next closest community is 25 miles from us. The commute on mountain highways makes accessibility to critical equipment particularly important for our crew.”

The fire apparatus order is the first the Big Bear Fire Department has placed with South Coast Fire Equipment. Fleet upgrades also include the addition of a Type 3 Model 34 Wildland vehicle from Boise Mobile Equipment.

“We enjoyed having the opportunity to share all of the advanced features Pierce offers to help the Big Bear Fire Department select apparatus to best fit their needs,” said Tim Olley, sales representative at South C