Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment

Having a pump panel set up for efficiency goes a long way on the fireground toward resolving an incident as quickly as possible. But, as Ricky Riley discusses with Chris Mc Loone, having the prettiest pump panel around doesn't necessarily translate into that efficiency. In fact, as the discussion progresses, we learn that having pump operators who put in the time to learn their rigs, including the pump panels, inside and out are as important as having the right setup. Listen in as Chris and Ricky talk about the ins and outs of pump panels.

Brought to you by: TheFireStore.com.

Nick Wilbur leads this Podcast covering rescue-pumpers with Win Slauch and Alex Moody. When designing and equipping a rescue-engine, don't fall into the trap of building a massive vehicle that is no longer practical for your first due. Nick, Win, and Alex cover the operational and specification considerations and more in this week's Podcast.

Brought to you by: TheFireStore.com.

In this month's commentary, Chris Mc Loone discusses a recent incident that highlights not only the importance of knowing what your neighbors carry, but also knowing how to operate what they carry. Also, two apparatus manufacturers celebrated milestones this month. Chris will also share his thoughts on a recent rig crash where two rigs collided, and will discuss "being the blueprint" for your fire company.

The tactics employed 25 years ago for school bus extrication are different than they are today, largely because of extrication tool evolution, which has been driven in many ways by new vehicle technology. Join Chris Mc Loone and Leigh Hollins for this Podcast covering these changes as well as Hollins's FDIC class: School Bus Incidents: What You Need To Know.

In this Water Delivery podcast, Bill Adkins and Andy Soccodato join Chris Mc Loone to dive into why it's important for every department to test its hoselines for proper flows. Believe it or not, every hoseline is different for a variety of reasons. They also tackle elevated master streams and ensuring the flows at the nozzles are what crews are expecting.

Chris Mc Loone was in Ocala, Florida, at E-ONE as it began its 50th Anniversary celebration. Long-time employees and dealers were recognized, and local dignitaries were on hand to share their remarks. Mc Loone caught up with Mike Virnig, president, REV Specialty Vehicles Segment, and Chris McClung, VP of sales, REV Fire Group to talk about E-ONE's history, what the company's most important innovation has been, what's coming in 2024, and more.

Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch join Chris Mc Loone to do a deep dive on aerials vs. platforms. No matter what you call them - straight sticks, aerials, platforms, tower ladders - there are a number of things your fire department should consider before going with one over the other. Wilbur and Slauch offer operational and specification considerations to help you purchase your next truck.

• A Ground Ladder Assessment’s Impact on Apparatus Design

In this episode, Chris Mc Loone discusses that while the answer is "yes" to whether or not we need to customize our rigs, the real question becomes how much do we need to customize--especially in the current fire apparatus purchasing environment.

The Prince George's County (MD) Fire/EMS Department recently placed an order for four new engines and a TDA. Chris Mc Loone and Ricky Riley discuss the order, what's different about this one than others, some Prince George's unique features and a few rigs from Riley's past.

Other Rickey Riley Podcasts

• Podcast: Navigating the Current Fire Apparatus Purchasing Environment

Podcast: How Current Apparatus Purchasing Issues Impact Apparatus Fleet Maintenance