Emergency Vehicles & Operations

  • Fornell: Hydrant Hook-ups, Chicago Style

    While looking through Chicago fire photographer Steve Redick’s collection of photos he shot a few weeks ago at 4-11 alarm fire, something caught my eye. While the rapidly spreading fire consumed the large warehouse building on Chicago’s West...

    Blog • January 14th, 2013

  • Responder Driving N.J. Ambulance Killed in Crash

    William Martin, president of the Stillwater Emergency Rescue Squad, felt something was amiss, and tried to stop the ambulance.

    News • January 8th, 2013

  • Fire & Rescue Apparatus Maintenance Roundtable

    When it comes to fire apparatus maintenance issues, you would be correct to think that equipment required for emissions standards was challenging. You would also be correct to think that aging apparatus is causing headaches, but one of the biggest...

    Article • January 4th, 2013

  • New Deliveries 1/13

    THE VALLEY FORGE, PA, VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY has taken delivery of a Spartan ERV pumper built on a Spartan Gladiator chassis and equipped with a 2,000-gpm Waterous pump, 1,000 gallon UPF Poly Tank III tank, 20-kilowatt Harrison generator, Kussmaul...

    Article • January 1st, 2013

  • Maintenance Roundtable

    When it comes to fire apparatus maintenance, you would be correct to think that equipment required to meet emissions standards was challenging. You would also be correct to think that aging apparatus are causing headaches, but one of the biggest...

    Article • January 1st, 2013

  • Turbo Diesel Engine

    FORD’s all-new Transit full-size van, which goes on sale in late 2013, will be offered with a new, clean-running 3.2-liter Power Stroke five-cylinder diesel engine. The new diesel, Ford’s second in North America, already has established a proven...

    Product • January 1st, 2013

  • Positioning Aerial Apparatus for Defensive Operations

    Recently, we discussed apparatus positioning for truck companies at the scene of a working fire, and we approached this topic with considerations towards operating in an offensive mode; that is, crews were going to be assigned specific areas of...

    Article • November 24th, 2012

  • It's Time to Get the Truck Up

    Get the truck up! How many times have we all heard those words on a fire scene? I have spent the majority of my career riding the engine, but my best friends have been truck firefighters. When the truck firefighters arrive carrying, more ladders...

    Blog • November 12th, 2012

  • Apparatus Manufacturers Discuss Multi-Purpose Units

    Editor's Note: Firehouse Staff Writer Ed Ballam covered this article in the November issue of Firehouse Magazine and for the November edition of the Firehouse Limited Edition Tablet app. There was a time when parade apparatus was king in fire...

    Article • November 8th, 2012

  • Ohio Firefighters Aid Victims After Ambulance Crash

    Three Stonelick Township firefighters sprang into action after their ambulance was involved in a crash.

    News • November 7th, 2012

  • FDNY Firefighters Hospitalized After Two Rigs Collide

    Eleven firefighters were hurt after two apparatus were involved in a crash.

    News • November 7th, 2012

  • The View from My Front Porch: Safety

    Perhaps your first question upon reading the title of this blog is to ask why I have used the name of my blog column to serve as the title of this visit with you. The reason is simple. As I sit on my front `motor vehicle from the lowly bicycle to the...

    Blog • November 7th, 2012

  • Illinois Fire Chief Driving Ambulance Injured in Crash

    Gardner Fire Chief Terry Jensen was injured when his ambulance collided with a tractor-trailer.

    News • November 6th, 2012

  • Salka: Ladder Pipe Liability

    I've written before about this subject and I've even had some good and interesting conversations about this activity but, I still see it often in the pages of fire service magazines and in newspaper coverage of fires. It's the image of a firefighter...

    Blog • November 5th, 2012

  • Apparatus Roundtable: Manufacturers Roundtable

    It should be no surprise the soft economy is affecting the fire apparatus market. Manufacturers say fire departments are looking for apparatus that can do more with less, lower maintenance costs and high-quality rigs that will last longer than a...

    Article • November 1st, 2012