The Annapolis (MD) Fire Department announced Tuesday, July 8, the newest member to the department, K-9 Bear, the agency said in a Facebook post. He is part of the Fire and Explosives Services Unit.

Investigator/Bomb Technician Matthew Montgomery recently returned from training with his partner, Bear. The nearly 2-year-old Belgian Malinois is trained in explosive detection. Investigator Montgomery and K-9 Bear completed extensive training with Southern Coast K9 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Bear will assist with fire investigations, public events, and regional mutual aid calls requiring explosives detection, thebaynet.com reported.

“Thank you to the Chesapeake K-9 Fund for their generous support that helps purchase these specialty canines, as well as essential equipment and services,” the department said in the post. “The Chesapeake K-9 Fund is a nonprofit organization based in Annapolis, Maryland, dedicated to supporting and assisting K-9 units in the local community.

“K-9 Bear is looking forward to keeping the city of Annapolis and the surrounding jurisdictions safe.”

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The Russellville (AL) Fire Department and city officials recently showed off the department’s new $2.2 million, 100-foot platform fire truck, franklincountytimes.com reported.

The new truck, which features a large platform, will facilitate rescue operations, especially in multistory buildings, the report said. The city’s older ladder truck had a standard basket. The new apparatus has a large platform that holds several people at once, allowing residents, including those with mobility issues, to step directly in for faster evacuation, according to the report.

“We received a 100-foot platform truck yesterday which will be replacing our 2002 75-foot ladder truck,” RFD said in a Facebook post. “This will be such a great addition to our fleet and will allow us to serve and protect the city of Russellville in many ways.”

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The city of Coos Bay, Oregon, announced July 3 it has received a $13,500 grant from the Three Rivers Foundation to support the purchase of wildland personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Coos Bay Fire Department, the fire department said in a press release.

This funding will help equip Coos Bay firefighters with NFPA 1977-compliant gear, enhancing safety during wildland fire response operations.

“We extend our sincere thanks to the Three Rivers Foundation for their continued investment in community resilience and public safety,” the department said.

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ITASCA, Illinois (July 9, 2025) – Darley, a leading provider of defense, fire, and emergency services equipment, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Johnson to its Fire Advisory Board. Jim Johnson brings a wealth of industry experience and expertise in serving the fire industry.

Jim Johnson served as President of Pierce Manufacturing from 2010 to 2023. He also served as an Executive Vice President of Oshkosh Corporation and President of Oshkosh’s Fire & Emergency business segment with responsibility for the Frontline, Maximetal, and Oshkosh Airport Products brands in addition to Pierce. Most recently, Jim served as the President of the company’s Vocational business segment with the added responsibility for Oshkosh’s refuse vehicles, airport ground support equipment, utility and concrete truck brands in addition to his Fire & Emergency responsibilities before retiring in 2024. Jim started his career in Indianapolis as an attorney practicing commercial litigation.

“We are truly honored and proud to have Jim Johnson join our Fire Advisory Board,” said Paul Darley, CEO of Darley. “We have been business associates and close friends for almost 20 years. He is a strategic visionary with an eye toward innovation and people. Under his leadership, Pierce grew to be the largest company in the fire industry. Jim’s combination of operational experience, legal mindset, executive presence, sound ethical corporate governance, and industry experience make him an invaluable board member.”

About Darley: You serve others. We serve you. Darley provides the highest quality pump, technology, and equipment solutions for first responders around the world. With origins in Midwest manufacturing, Darley offers a complete line of unmanned systems, immersive training technology, equipment and pumps. Learn more on our websites: www.darley.com and shop.darley.com.

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