Three Springdale firefighter-paramedics visited Pierce Manufacturing’s Wisconsin facility in February for a pre-construction meeting about the department’s new fire truck when their life-saving skills got a surprise workout.

As the meeting was underway, someone called the company’s emergency response team out.

Chief Blake Holte, Assistant Chief Jim Vaughan and Captain James Kehrli decided they better find out if they could lend a hand.

With Mike Lyle, Pierce’s director of manufacturing, in cardiac arrest, the three jumped into action and kept CPR going for more than 20 minutes.

The story had a happy ending. Lyle recovered and is back on the job. He shared a thank you video with the men via Youtube. And the men hope to reunite in the fall when the fire engine is scheduled to be completed.

“It’s due to their level of responsibility, their grit, their determination. Their calm and organized manner under pressure,” Lyle told the Arkansas Gazette. “If any little error had happened … there are dozens of reasons I shouldn’t be here.”

For more information, visit the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

SUN PRAIRIE, WI – Fire Facilities, Inc., manufacturers of steel live fire training towers, burn rooms and mobile training units, offers a variety of live informational entertainment at its booth (#4933) during FDIC in Indianapolis in April, 2022. Podcast interviews with 3 Point Firefighter’s Jake Barnes and the Hot Seat Challenge with David Mellen from Valor Fire Training will complement the array of firefighter training options in the Fire Facilities booth.

“We’re making the Fire Facilities exhibit ‘the place’ to stop by during FDIC,” says Aaron Adams, president of Fire Facilities, Inc., and a former firefighter. “We’re honored to have both Jake and David in our booth to share their knowledge with show attendees. At the same time, we’re eager to talk with firefighters about steel structural training options available with our training towers, burn rooms and other structural options.”

FDIC 2022 Sessions:
Active Shooter Response for First-Due Company
Fundamentals of Open Water Rescue and Drowning Resuscitation
Advanced Moulage: Creating and Applying Prosthetics
Resuscitation Airway and Internal Dynamics (R.A.I.D.)

All Fire Facilities structures are made with American-steel in Wisconsin. The company offers a wide variety of configurations to meet all fire and tactical training needs. More than 65 customizable options are available, including ram-pry breaching doors, attic burn areas and confined space elevator shafts.

Live Tapings: 3 Point Firefighter Podcasts

Between 1:00pm and 3:00pm on April 28 and 29, firefighter Jake Barnes, host of 3 Point Firefighter, will conduct 15-minute podcast interviews with a variety of firefighting industry leaders in the Fire Facilities booth. Some of those scheduled to be interviewed include Leigh Hubbard, Executive Director of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI), Captain Jarrod Sergi of the Norfolk Fire-Rescue and author of the book “No Nonsense Leadership” and Jesse Marcotte, Training Chief of the Northville Township (Mich.) Fire Department.

Barnes, Battalion Chief Training, at New Albany Fire Department in Indiana, focuses his podcasts on all things related to the fire service. He especially deals with the three key points of “Pride, Training and Physical Fitness.”An ISFSI certified trainer, Barnes travels nationwide to assist with firefighter training programs. His podcasts, including the ones he will record during FDIC, can be heard on Audible, Apple, Spotify and Google.

Live: Hot Seat Challenge

Barnes will also participate in the Hot Seat Challenge in the Fire Facilities booth. On April 28 at 3:30pm, David Mellen with Valor Fire Traini

City officials last week finalized the purchase of a $105,000 ladder truck for the Glenwood Fire Department—the first such fire truck owned by the city, reports pctribune.com.

In February, department officials said they had located a 1999 Freightliner ladder truck in Sartell, and commissioners approved spending up to $125,000. The fire truck underwent a thorough inspection and appraisal, and it is set to join the fleet by this summer, the report says.

The purchase of the apparatus, which will require no additional equipment purchases, could take up to 90 days, according to the report.