A Derby Whitesand fire engine broke down during last year’s Poplarville Christmas parade, and that’s when the trouble started.

Firefighter Dallas Hook says the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors were told the truck ran out of gas. Hook, who was driving the truck at the time, wanted the record set straight.

The problem, he reported, was an air solenoid became defective, which the vehicle interpreted to mean the brakes had failed. Hook said he overrode the solenoid to temporarily fix the vehicle, but it wasn’t repaired until February, the Picayune Item reports.

A short time later Hook checked his phone to answer a call. When he couldn’t learn the location of the call, he contacted the chief to find out the address. That’s when he learned he’d been removed from the roster.

This week Hook visited the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors to tell his side of the story and discuss some of what he perceives as the department’s shortcomings since moving away from an elected board of directors.

For more, read the Picayune Item.

Filming a comedic bit for his NFL-themed ESPN show ragging on the city’s passionate sports fans, Peyton Manning was in Philadelphia dressed as Santa Claus while riding on a fire truck, according to a post from the Philadelphia subreddit and user u/jbertindrums.

Mocking the notorious Eagles-fans-throwing-snowballs-at-Santa fiasco, the video shows Manning dressed as Santa riding on an apparatus near Love Park throwing snowballs at Eagles fans.

A report from Crossing Broad says the footage will be used in an upcoming episode of ESPN’s Peyton’s Places. Rumors are swirling that NFL legends Ricky Watters and Matt Millen will be featured in the spot as well.

ESPN describes Peyton’s Places thusly:

“Peyton’s Places, a football-themed documentary series hosted by legendary quarterback Peyton Manning that is part of the celebration of the NFL’s 100th season, has debuted on ESPN+.

“The 30-episode series revisits seminal moments in NFL history through conversations with former players, coaches, and other key figures about football and its cultural impact.”

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — As Tyndall Air Force Base’s renovation continues, a new modular fire station is coming in hot, providing a new workspace for 325th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Station One personnel.

While Fire Station One was damaged during Hurricane Michael in 2018, the devastation provided Team Tyndall with the unique opportunity to design a new fire department.

“Between the damage sustained from Hurricane Michael and the new Air Force requirement upgrades needed, a new facility was financially a better option compared to repair,” said Mark Blake, Air Force Civil Engineer Center military construction project manager.

Since firefighters must remain operational and mission ready at all times, a modular facility was outlined to support crash and rescue missions during the new station’s production.

“The [transitory] Fire Station One campus is the single largest footprint for a temporary facility,” explained Scott Dubuque, 325th Contracting Squadron services flight chief. “This area cost just under $10 million of contracted efforts and is planned to house personnel for around five years.”

The modular station is fully equipped to continue mission capabilities with no discrepancies. It provides personnel with a gym, three bunk houses, three fire truck bays, an admin office and an emergency response facility.

“Having a new location, even if it’s temporary, will boost morale and provide a clean and sanitary work environment,” said Gregory Young, 325th CES fire inspector.

In addition to providing a better equipped station for the firefighters, the modular facility marks progress towards building the “Installation of the Future.”

The decision to construct a new station has motivated Tyndall to install innovative technologies. A few of the technological advances planned are a completely updated fire alarm reporting system to enhance emergency response capabilities as well as implementing new training simulators expected to reduce wear and tear on equipment, maximizing use and saving the Air Force resources.  

As Team Tyndall and the local community work to restore Panama City and surrounding areas after the storm, Tyndall’s progress acts as a model for resiliency, turning devastation into innovation.

“The fire department’s relocation is a sign of progress,” explained Young. “As demolition across the installation comes to an end and new construction begins, it allows personnel at Tyndall, especially those that have been working behind the scene, to start witnessing the ‘[Installation] of the Future’ finally taking shape.”

Subject to cancellation, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Touch-A-Truck is a fundraising event that provides kids of all ages with the opportunity to experience life-size vehicles and interact with community support leaders like police officers, firemen, construction workers and many more. Families will have the opportunity for a hands-on exploration of many vehicles such as Edmond’s own fire trucks and police cars, an Edmond Electric bucket truck and even a solid waste truck. In 2019, the event displayed over 50 different vehicles for kids to enjoy.

Admission for the Touch-A-Truck event is a suggested $2 donation with the proceeds going to the HOPE Center of Edmond to benefit local residents in need.

We were able to raise $5,200 in 2019 for the Hope Center of Edmond, with approximately 2,000 in attendance.

Continuing in 2022, there will be a quiet hour from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. to accommodate those sensitive to loud noises. During this time, no horns or loud music will be allowed.

For those that are sensitive to loud noises, for example horns honking, it is recommended that you bring proper protection for your ears for the remainder of the event.

If your organization would like to participate, please click here for information. To find out more about the event, contact Nicole Koehn.