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    • November 2025

    Issue Description: The November issue of Firehouse includes feature articles on vacant mid-rise and high-rise operations, an apparatus showcase and Firehouse's 2025 Station Design Awards.

    Cover Description: The November 2025 issue of Firehouse features our 12th annual Station Design Awards. A combination of 19 Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners and 48 notable stations are profiled across eight categories: Career 1 (larger than 15,000 sq. ft.), Career 2 (15,000 sq. ft. or smaller), Co-Located, Combination, Renovations, Satellite, Training Facilities and Volunteer. The station that’s shown on the cover is Mountain Brook Fire Station No. 2 in Mountain Brook, AL. The station, which is the Bronze winner among Career 2 firehouses, was deemed by the Station Design Awards judges as the most visually striking from the exterior among all of the submissions. Photo courtesy of Barrett Kent Studio.

    Dedication: Ten U.S. firefighters recently died in the line of duty— Firefighters Douglas Thompson, Lucas Gellhausen, Isabella Oscarson, Master Firefighter Preston Fant, Firefighter/Equipment Operator Hank J. Hester, Lt. Larry Mustion, Deputy Chief Jimmy Townsend, Firefighter/EMT Damon Thompson and Firefighter/Paramedics Brandon Clawson and Brenna Kulikowski. This issue of Firehouse is dedicated to these firefighters.

    More content from November 2025

    Photo courtesy of Ansell
    In the effort to remove PFAS from hazmat suits that can be decontaminated after exposure to be reused and can be repaired, Ansell applied coated fabric to its AlphaTec Phantom garment. As a result, user comfort level is less than that which is provided by counterparts that are textile-based but contain PFAS, but the members of the FDNY hazmat training center found the downgrade more than tolerable.
    Time is precious for the often limited number of hazmat technicians within a department. Makers of handheld gas detectors, chemical field identification systems and hazmat suits...
    Nov. 17, 2025
    EMS providers high-risk operations Mark Litwinko
    Mark Litwinko explains the intricacies of paramedics' and EMTs' expanding role within the integrated public safety team.
    Nov. 14, 2025
    The low-maintenance construction of the FF30 and FF300 four-fold apparafts bay doors (periodic lubrication and checks of the safety systems) contributes to low total cost over the lifetime of the doors.
    Firehouse Labs' evaluation of the FF30 and FF300 four-fold apparatus bay doors from Door Engineering verified their sturdy and low-maintenance construction, their safety features...
    Nov. 13, 2025
    Photos by Jonathan Hall
    Vacant mid-rise and high-rise buildings must be examined regularly for changes that occurred. Open or removed fire doors, damaged or missing walls, holes in the floors, removed or weakened stairs, open shafts and exposed plenum spaces allow for significant smoke and fire spread and can cause falls, disorientation emergencies or entanglements.
    Jonathan Hall gives details as to why it's critical that firefighters conduct regular walkthroughs of vacant mid-rises and high-rises and vital to train on strategies and tactics...
    Nov. 12, 2025
    Gordon Nord Jr.
    Firehouse's 2025 Apparatus Showcase
    Manufacturers display the latest and greatest in fire-rescue and EMS apparatus and boats.
    Nov. 11, 2025
    fire service technology FireFusion Peter Matthews
    Peter Matthews' reflection on FireFusion conference sessions, discussions, and products hammer home the fact that technology isn't optional for the fire service; it's operational...
    Nov. 10, 2025
    Endeavor Business Media
    Firehouse is pleased to present the 11th annual Station Design Awards, which showcases outstanding fire and emergency service facilities.
    Firehouse is pleased to present the 12th annual Station Design Awards, which showcases outstanding fire and emergency service facilities.
    Nov. 10, 2025
    Photo by Megan McCaleb
    When the author first offered improv training to fire service leaders, the focus was on presentation skills. When participants began to open up about the emotional weight that they carry, the program transformed into a tool for suicide prevention, emotional resilience and peer connection.
    Megan McCaleb shares five quantifiable benefits of improv training on firefighter mental well-being and, as a result, on safety, decision-making and member retention.
    Sept. 26, 2025