The Newport Beach Fire Department has introduced a new fire engine with improved off-road capabilities designed to battle wildland fires. The new apparatus was showcased to the community on Saturday, June 4 at Newport Coast Fire Station 8, where the engine will be housed.

The wildland fire engine will be primarily utilized for the protection of the Newport Coast area and deployed to assist neighboring agencies as needed.

“This specialized piece of equipment will improve our wildland firefighting capabilities by allowing our firefighters to navigate challenging terrain and off-road areas that are inaccessible to standard engines,” said Fire Chief Jeff Boyles.

However, Boyles noted, it does not replace the need for strong prevention efforts to reduce and mitigate the ongoing threat of urban wildfires.

“We start with educating homeowners on fuel reduction and how to protect their properties, and we will use code enforcement as necessary. Everyone has a role to play in keeping our communities safe.”

Built by Pierce Manufacturing, the NBFD’s new engine has a shorter wheelbase and four-wheel drive capabilities to allow for better maneuverability, off-road versatility, and higher ground clearance. The engine can pump water while moving, allowing for rapid water application in more remote areas. Similar to larger engines, it carries 500 gallons of water, hose, ladders, and other firefighting equipment.

The City set out to design and purchase the engine in 2019, but with COVID-related supply chain issues, construction took nearly two years. NBFD crews are undergoing additional training before the new engine is placed into service.

With the help of some local children, the Waco Fire Department recently pushed in three new Spartan engines at three stations. They’re the first batch of six new engines on the horizon for the department.

“They have many enhanced features, such as lower hose beds, modern emergency lighting, and cab configurations that better meet the needs of fire personnel while responding to emergencies,” a Facebook post reads.

A report in wacotrib.com adds that the department expects a ladder truck in July. Everything comes in at a cost of $5 million—$638,000 per engine and $1.2 million for the ladder. The report says it’s all being purchased via 10-year lease.

The old trucks will be traded in to vendors and are expected to fetch between $40,000 and $50,000 total; the report says those funds could be used for equipment.

The first 3 of 6 new ⁦@Spartan_ER⁩ engines were delivered to the ⁦@WacoTXFire⁩ Shop today. Hopefully putting these units in service next week at Stations 1, 2, & 11 with push-in ceremonies. 3 more engines arriving in 2 weeks! Exciting times at ⁦#WacoFire pic.twitter.com/OTsR5p74qJ

— Waco Fire Department (@WacoTXFire) May 25, 2022

Hughsonville firefighters called a Mayday Sunday when the regulator on a firefighter’s self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) failed at a house fire in Wappinger.

The Hughsonville Fire Department responded to the home at 30 Woodland Court at 6:15 a.m. for a report of smoke in the basement. When crews arrived they saw smoke coming from the home.

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Firefighters stretched a hose line into the structure through the front door and proceeded to go down the basement stairs. It was while they were descending the basement stairs that a firefighter on the hose line experienced a malfunction with his SCBA regulator, department officials say on Facebook.

The officer of the hose line crew transmitted a Mayday for the firefighter experiencing the SCBA Regulator malfunction. The firefighter was assisted by his crew and additional crews near him out of the structure through the rear sliding glass door. He was transported to a hospital where he was treated and released.

In all, 10 agencies assisted in extinguishing the fire, which was largely contained to the basement.

There’s currently an investigation into the Petersburg Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, with reports swirling that it has to do with one station resorting to using an ambulance for fire calls due to a lack of engines. However, details are scarce at this point.

The Office of Emergency Medical Services pulled a city fire engine out of service Friday after its inspection sticker was found to be expired, reports WTVR. The city that day for a few hours only had one working engine and still has no ladders.

The department is supposed to have at least three engines and one ladder, according to the report.

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