Firefighters from the West Hartford (CT) Fire Department recently completed the final inspection on a new Pierce Ascendant 100-foot aerial ladder truck in Appleton Wisconsin.

“With the support of Mayor Cantor, our Town Council, Town Manager Ledwith and our Fire Chief, we worked diligently with the sales professionals at Firematic to design a fire apparatus to best meet the ever growing needs of our community,” the fire department said in a Facebook post.

This new apparatus will replace a 2009 Spartan/Crimson aerial which has reached the end of its serviceability. The department looks forward to completing the outfitting and training needed to place this apparatus in service.

“Look for it to be serving the community of West Hartford in the very near future!”

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Florida recently distribution $1.4 million in funds to state fire departments, floridapolitics.com reported.

The funding will help fire departments to bolster equipment needed to battle fires and provide protection for the personnel on those jobs. Some 15 departments across the state got a cut of the money.

Gov. Ron DeSantis approved the funds as part of the budget for the 2025-2026 spending plan, the report said. Additional funding is earmarked for the Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Equipment (FCDE) Grant Program and the Firefighter Assistance Grant Program. 

Some $1.04 million of the funding went to the Sanford Aircraft Rescue firefighting vehicle replacement.

The distribution of funds to individual local departments included:

• Satellite Beach Fire Department – $61,767.05.
• Inverness Fire Department – $52,143.50.
• Cape Canaveral Volunteer Fire Department – $42,525.00.
• Titusville Fire Department – $36,446.10.
• Haines City Fire Department – $35,625.00.
• Lake County Fire Rescue – $23,476.10.
• Mount Dora Fire Department – $28,206.00.
• New Smyrna Beach Fire Department – $23,421.50.
• Minneola Fire Rescue – $21,000.00.
• Auburndale Fire Department – $13,955.00.
• DeLand Fire Department – $10,507.39.
• Lake Mary Fire Department – $8,268.75.
• Cocoa Beach Fire Department – $7,297.50.
• Daytona Beach Fire Department – $5,874.00.
• Orlando Fire Department – $5,342.77.
• Lake County Fire Rescue – $23,476.10.

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Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District in Show Low, Arizona, announced the line of duty deaths of two firefighters in a traffic collision Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, the department said in a Facebook post.

The collision, which is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, happened at 10:15 p.m. on State Route 260 after a car crashed head-on into an ambulance, ktar.com reported. The car driver also died.

“Our entire organization is grieving the loss of our team members,” Timber Mesa Fire said in the Facebook post. “We ask for privacy and compassion as we support the families, co-workers, and community during this very difficult time.”

According to DPS, a driver was headed west on SR 260 when the car crossed the center line and collided head-on with a TMFMD ambulance, the radio station reported.

The driver of the car that crossed the center line and two people inside the ambulance were all pronounced dead at the scene, DPS said.

The department added that it is not known what caused the driver to cross the center line, according to the radio station report.

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COATESVILLE, Pennslyvania (September 2025) – Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc., the leading multi-channel distributor of public safety equipment, is pleased to announce the appointment of Tara Bowland as Regional Sales Manager – Virginia, West Virginia, Southern Maryland, and District of Columbia.

Bowland brings more than 20 years of fire service sales and leadership experience, including nearly two decades at MSA – The Safety Company, where she served as National Strategic Account Manager for the U.S. and Canada. Her track record of building high-value customer relationships, navigating complex procurement processes, and driving consistent year-over-year growth positions WPSG to further expand its leadership as the No. 1 distributor of fire equipment in Virginia.

“Tara’s knowledge of Virginia, West Virginia, and Southern Maryland is unmatched. She has worked alongside many of the region’s largest departments and knows the competitive landscape inside and out. With her leadership, we are well-positioned to expand our reach and solidify our standing as the leading fire equipment distributor in the Mid-Atlantic,” said James Witmer, CEO of Witmer Public Safety Group.

In her new role, Bowland will lead regional strategy, mentor and support Witmer’s growing sales team, and work directly with counties, unions, and departments to expand the adoption of brands WPSG represents.

“Tara’s experience with MSA and her deep relationships across the fire service community give us a significant advantage as we continue to grow in Virginia and beyond. Her arrival signals our commitment not just to sales in the region, but to building the service and infrastructure that departments need to succeed,” said Peter Kosciewicz, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Witmer Public Safety Group.

Bowland, an MBA graduate of Walden University and a recipient of multiple national sales awards including an Ultimate Customer Experience honor in 2024, has also been recognized for her mentoring and leadership in developing high-performing teams.

With Bowland’s appointment, WPSG strengthens its commitment to supporting fire departments with the best products, service, and expertise in the industry.

About Witmer Public Safety Group
Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc. is a family-owned, multi-channel distributor serving fire, law enforcement, and emergency service professionals nationwide. Through brands including TheFireStore, OfficerStore, theEMSstore, and others, WPSG provides the industry’s most comprehensive selection of gear, equipment, and services, backed by a team dedicated to protecting those who protect us.

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