In a recent episode of the Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment podcast, Chris Mc Loone sat down with Safe Fleet’s Director of Education and Technology, Jason Witmier, to discuss the educational resources Safe Fleet provides for the fire service. The program includes tools and programs designed to improve firefighter knowledge and operational safety.

The goal is education first—helping firefighters understand how nozzles, pumps, foam systems, lighting, and other apparatus components actually function in real fireground scenarios. Safe Fleet’s team, which includes about 15 specialists, travels nationwide conducting training that emphasize sound firefighting tactics and maintenance best practices. They offer objective, side-by-side comparisons with competitors’ products and willingly recommend alternatives if Safe Fleet’s gear doesn’t fit a department’s needs.

Two cornerstone resources within the Safe Fleet training platform are the “Brass Tacks Hard Facts” video series and rigrecon.com. Brass Tacks Hard Facts, launched in 2016 and now preparing its fourth season, covers a broad range of practical topics—from nozzle evaluation and hose loads to firefighting tactics and hydraulic ventilation. With over 100 episodes featuring highly respected fire service veterans and authors as instructors, the series serves as an accessible library of real-world knowledge. Firefighters can watch these short, focused videos during downtime and apply lessons directly to their operations.

Rig Recon targets apparatus maintenance and component selection. It offers unbiased product guides and comparison charts covering popular equipment options such as deck guns, valves, lighting, and electric vs. manual controls. Rig Recon also hosts troubleshooting and maintenance videos to empower firefighters to handle minor repairs and preventative care on their own, helping keep rigs in the field longer.

Safe Flee’s regional network of experienced fire service professionals engages directly with departments to deliver tailored education and product demos. Each regional specialist carries a truck equipped with a broad mix of Safe Fleet products. Whether it’s conducting a “Know Your Flow” class to measure actual hose and nozzle performance on-scene or arranging deep dives on foam system sizing, door maintenance, or lighting, Witmier says these regionals bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application.

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Apparatus Ideas Bob Vaccaro

Durham, North Carolina, was nicknamed the “Bull City” in the late 1800s when the Blackwell Tobacco Company named its product “Bull” Durham Tobacco. Durham is also famously known as the “City of Medicine,” with healthcare as a major industry, including more than 300 medical and health-related companies and medical practices.

Durham is home to several recognized educational institutions. Duke University and North Carolina Central University are central to Research Triangle Park, which encompasses 11 square miles with 2.37 million people and is devoted to research facilities. Durham itself has a population of 300,000.

Protecting all of this is the Durham (NC) Fire Department, a fully paid department with a staff of 400 firefighters. They operate out of 18 stations, with a 19th station opening sometime later this year. All frontline apparatus are manufactured by Sutphen and include 18 engines, four trucks, and one heavy rescue.

Captain Carl Hamlin, chairman of Durham’s apparatus committee, says that the department has had good luck with Sutphen through the years and stayed with the company for its fleet services division primarily. “They have commonality of parts and maintenance as well as making training for our firefighters a great deal easier,” he says. “No matter where a firefighter is stationed, he or she would be familiar with the vehicle’s operation.”

According to Hamlin, apparatus replacement is based on several factors, including miles, maintenance, parts, and general condition. Based on funding, the department tries to replace engines every 10 to 15 years and trucks every 15 to 20 years.

1 Durham’s Sutphen/SVI tandem axle walk-in rescue with two-door extended cab. (Photos courtesy of SVI Trucks.)

Recently, the apparatus committee decided to design and build a heavy rescue. “This new build was our first true heavy rescue,” says Hamlin. “Previously, four ladder trucks were used, so space was at a premium. They carried basic rescue tools only. A county fire department located on the southern edge of Durham merged with our city, and we gained a smaller rescue from them that we still use as a spare. Our chief back in 2018 came up with a basic rescue truck concept, and we began looking into designing a custom apparatus just for us and the special needs of our city.”

The department had a prebuild conference with Sutphen and SVI in 2022. “The new unit we designed would be able to carry more equipment, and it would make it more accessible for our firefighters,” says Hamlin. “We ordered the vehicle in 2023, and it took roughly a little over one year to build. In this day and age, we thought that was phenomenal.”

2 The rig’s Command Light light tower.

3 The body’s interior showing SCBA mounts and upper storage.

4 A large transverse compartment in the body with two slide-outs.

Sutphen/SVI Walk-in He

Tony Marrero – Tampa Bay Times

Tampa police on Tuesday arrested a man accused of stealing a fire engine parked outside St. Joseph’s Hospital and then crashing into an SUV while under the influence of alcohol.

Warren Scudder, 59, drove off in the Tampa Fire Rescue engine about 9:25 a.m. while firefighters were inside the hospital, according to the Tampa Police Department. Scudder then crashed into a Lexus SUV near the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and MacDill Avenue, police said.

Police caught up to Scudder in the 4100 block of Poplar Avenue about 15 minutes later, blocked the engine’s path and arrested him.

Scudder was booked into Hillsborough’s Orient Road Jail on charges of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, grand theft of emergency medical equipment, grand theft auto, leaving the scene of a crash with injury, driving under the influence (fourth or subsequent violation) and DUI with property damage. He was being held Tuesday without bond.

According to booking records, Scudder’s blood alcohol results came back at 0.197 and 0.177. Both results are more than twice the 0.08 at which a driver is presumed impaired under Florida law.

The driver of the Lexus complained of hip pain and was being evaluated by hospital staff.

A separate news release issued later by Tampa Fire Rescue said that the crew members on the engine had responded to a cardiac-related emergency, and the driver pulled into a designated parking area at the hospital and remained near the truck while other personnel went into the hospital to assist with the patient.

“Due to the severity of the medical emergency, the process required an extended period of time,” the release said. “The driver briefly stepped away from the vehicle to determine if additional assistance was needed. During that brief moment, the suspect entered the unattended fire engine and drove it off hospital property.”

The passenger side of the engine scraped the driver side of the Lexus, causing moderate damage to the SUV, according to a fire rescue spokesperson. A photo released by the fire rescue department shows what appears to be minor damage to the engine.

Correction: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect first name for the suspect.

©2025 Tampa Bay Times. Visit tampabay.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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MLive.com Staff
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The following Michigan fire departments are the recipients of a 2024 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant: Midland Fire Department, Saginaw Fire Department, and Bay City Department of Public Safety.

The joint application replaces 120 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), with Midland receiving 36 SCBA, Saginaw receiving 41, and Bay City receiving 43.

The grant award totals $1,321,600 and includes a local share of $120,145, to be split among the three departments. The collaboration and partnership between the three departments to submit a joint application shows creativity in securing funding for the necessary replacement of firefighting equipment.

“Firefighters work tirelessly to protect our communities and property. It’s absolutely essential that they have the tools needed to stay safe when responding to an emergency. That’s why I worked to pass legislation to extend the critical grant programs that help our firefighters get the support they need,” said U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan. “I applaud the collaborative approach taken by Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City to receive this funding, which will help each department purchase equipment needed to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

The departments hope to have the new SCBA in service by summer of 2026.

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