Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Podcast

The Turtle Low-Profile Nozzle

Electric vehicle (EV) fires have reshaped firefighting tactics and challenged departments nationwide. This Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Podcast featuring Buddy Hayes and Matt Faden of Turtle Fire dives into these challenges with insights from frontline firefighters from the Jersey City (NJ) Fire Department. Their invention—the Turtle Low-Profile Nozzle—addresses the unique hazards EV fires present, especially in confined or structurally sensitive environments.

Moving Water: Tank Size

In the latest episode of Moving Water, with Andy Soccodato and Bill Adkins discuss water tank specifications, sharing insights relevant for both urban and rural departments. Whether urban or rural, careful consideration of tank size relative to tactics, rig design, driver skill, and local infrastructure makes all the difference between arriving ill-equipped or ready for action.

Lawsuits and More Questionable Dots

There are a number of lawsuits that are getting attention from the press with at least one being a class action. But, before you jump on board, look at what the end game is and if that end game will actually get you your rig faster. Try to connect the dots. It might not be that easy.

Intelligently Controlled Emergency Lighting

Chris Mc Loone recently sat down with Chris Watkins, technology sales manager for Whelen, to discuss the evolution and impact of intelligently controlled emergency vehicle lighting. The conversation offers a look at how modern technology is transforming the way emergency responders use lighting—not just for visibility, but also for safety and efficiency. Here are three key takeaways from their detailed discussion.

The Apparatus Workshop: Setting the Stage for Preengineering and Final Inspection

In this episode of the Apparatus Workshop, hosts Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch discuss setting the stage for the preengineering and the final inspection. This means requesting very specific information from your chosen manufacturer like turning radius reports as well as being very specific about angles of approach and departure. They also discuss how customization does not necessarily mean increased complexity. There are minor tweaks that can be made to a design that improve things like turning radius and angles of approach and departure.

Clear communication with manufacturers, an eye for detail, and keeping operational realities front and center can save departments from costly design oversights. From requesting precise turning radius measurements to understanding electrical and aerial load demands, the discussion underscores that the difference between a good rig and a great rig often lies in the questions asked early and the numbers tracked consistently.

At the End of the Day, You Have to Put the Fire Out

Leadership and culture are discussed in many fire service circles today, and understandably so. Every fire department has its own challenges recruiting and retaining, but they often go beyond leadership and culture. If the desire to be a firefighter is not there, then leadership and culture don't matter. And while leadership and culture are critical, what often creates great culture is the pride we take in quickly and efficiently extinguishing fires. If we are not proficient with our equipment--fire apparatus, hoselines, PPE, SCBA--we cannot quickly and efficiently extinguish fires. That proficiency occurs when we continuously drill on our tactics. Leadership and culture are two keys critical to the success for any fire department, but at the end of the day, you have to put the fire out.

Stock Rigs: Insights from Three Chiefs

Purchasing modular fire apparatus allows fire departments to acquire new fire apparatus quicker and often at a lower cost than taking the custom route. In this Podcast episode, Deputy Chief Adam Chiles, White Cloud (MI) Area Fire-Rescue; Chief Dan Munsey, San Bernadino (CA) County Fire; and Chief of Training William Andrews, Chattanooga (TN) Fire Department share their recent experiences purchasing stock rigs for their departments.

Brought to you by our friends at the REV Fire Group.

Talking Trucks: Ricky's and Chris's Apparatus Wishlists

Chris Mc Loone and Ricky Riley have talked about how to navigate the current apparatus purchasing environment, how to spec rigs, etc. But in this episode, they discuss what's on their wishlists for fire apparatus.