SVI Trucks—Surprise (AZ) Fire-Medical Department two rescue pumpers. Spartan Metro Star cabs and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engines; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pumps; 500-gallon polypropylene water tanks; 20-gallon foam cells; FoamPro 2001 Class A foam systems; Command Light Shadow SL442D-W2 light towers; OnScene Solutions heavy-duty aluminum cargo slides. Dealer: SVI Trucks, Fort Collins, CO.

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Construction of Reliant Fire Apparatus’ new service center is scheduled to be complete in late spring 2022.

APPLETON, Wis. (May 5, 2022) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, announced authorized dealer Reliant Fire Apparatus, Inc. will open a new 16,000-square-foot service center in Des Moines, Iowa. Located on the northeast side of the metro area at the Interstate 80 and Interstate 35 interchange, the new service center will support Pierce customers not only in the metro area, but also customers across the state.

“Convenient service access is critical for our customers, and the new facility will allow our team to provide quicker response and increased availability for repairs and other support offerings,” said Brett Krueger, Co-Principal at Reliant Fire Apparatus. “Reducing the amount of time an apparatus is out-of-service greatly benefits our customers and most importantly, the communities they serve.”

Reliant Fire Apparatus’ new service center will be staffed by Pierce trained technicians, including Pierce Master Technicians.

The new facility will provide full-service on pumpers, rescues, aerials, tankers, and smaller vehicles such as brush trucks and wildland units.

Additional features of Reliant Fire Apparatus’ new service center in Des Moines include:

• Indoor capacity for 12 fire apparatus
• 1,100-square-foot parts warehouse
• 1,005-square foot tool storage
• Base for mobile service unit
• Ample exterior space for apparatus testing and setup

The facility will allow aerial devices to be extended within the building for servicing which is particularly crucial during inclement weather and cold winter months.

Krueger added, “We are excited to become part of the Des Moines community and a larger part of the Iowa Fire Service community. We look forward to building even stronger relationships with our customers by helping them reduce the amount of downtime for their apparatus, extending the life of their fire apparatus through services and preventative maintenance, and enabling them to better protect their communities.”

For more information about Pierce Manufacturing and Reliant Fire Apparatus’ new service center located in Des Moines, Iowa, visit www.piercemfg.com.

Lily Dashner and people with stories of her ilk are the reason why nearly all firefighters get into the profession. It’s not for any other reason than to help people. And hearing those stories never gets old.

It all came full circle Saturday evening—18 years later—at Austin Fire Department’s Station 2. Dressed to the nines en route to prom, Dashner regaled crew members with her story of how in 2003 Captain Brandon Jennings (now at Investigations), Captain Ed Roel (now at Ladder 36/B shift), Lieutenant Mike Lemerise (now retired), and Firefighter Ed Roberts (now retired) saved her life when she was born prematurely.

Now a high school senior, she shared how, while growing up, she always wanted to see “her fire truck number 2” driving down the road.

“Many times, we never know the impact our actions may have on a family,” a Facebook post reads. “But on Saturday, we got the privilege to meet one of our greatest success stories. Thank you to Lily and her family for taking the time to share what were surely difficult memories, and for letting us meet a real-life happy ending.”

In preparation of the upcoming wildfire season, and following the devastating 2020 Creek Fire which destroyed 856 structures from September 4 to Christmas Eve, the Fresno County Fire Protection District, CalFire, has donated a fire engine to the Bald Mountain Fire Protection District.

The apparatus, a 1999 International Type 1 engine, was recently delivered. See pics below: