In this episode of The Apparatus Workshop, Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch are joined by Tim Kern and John Morris of the Baltimore (MD) Fire Department to tackle tiller truck training and operations.
Rescue Squad 820 was delivered to the Prince Georges County (MD) Fire/EMS Department in August 2024. With tool mounting complete, personnel are now training to drive and operate the new rig. Chris Mc Loone and Ricky Riley discuss features of the rig, how it is designed to keep it in service, and the pride and craftsmanship that went into mounting the rig's equipment.
When it comes to purchasing in 2025, there are a few things to keep in mind especially starting early and being patient. Apparatus crashes continued to be prevalent during 2024, but of particular concern were the number of apparatus vs. apparatus crashes. Finally, don't forget the trades in 2025. Brought to you by our friends at TheFireStore and USSC Group .
Andy Biron, frequent contributor to The Rig (www.rigspot.com), joins Chris Mc Loone to talk about pump maintenance from the perspective of the EVT and makes recommendations for what end users can do to keep their rigs out of the shop with pump issues as well as PM fire departments can and should perform and more.
Andy Soccodato and Bill Adkins take a look back at various training evolutions from 2024 through numerous photos and share teaching points from each one. Brought to you by our friends at TheFireStore and USSC Group .
In Part 1 of this deep dive into Tiller Trucks, Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch speak with Chief AJ McCarthy, Longwood (PA) Fire Company and Assistant Chief AJ McCarthy, Arlington County (VA) Fire Department, about the how's and why's involved with getting a tiller truck into your station and navigating one through your first due. Brought to you by our friends at TheFireStore and USSC .
As it turns out, the topic of blacked-out rigs can often become as emotional as rear- or mid-mount aerials or smooth bore vs. combination fog nozzles. Rest assured, our panel of Ricky Riley, Nick Wilbur, and Robert Tutterow stay calm as they discuss this trend. Brought to you by our friends at TheFireStore and USSC .
Just a few words on the domino effect that can occur based on a single decision you make on your next rig that you might not have been aware about. There are tradeoffs, as we've mentioned before, but you can also set off a chain reaction with decisions you make for the rig that could ultimately impact the price of your new fire apparatus. Also on this episode is what I'm thankful for down at the firehouse. Brought to you by The Fire Store .
There's been a lot going on at Snap-tite Hose recently that you might not know about. Join Chris Mc Loone and Jim Novinsky, CEO, Snap-tite Hose, to learn more about the company's new leadership and culture, new business development and the how positive changes have affected the future of the business. For more information, visit www.snaptitehose.com .
Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch welcome Tom Shand back to The Apparatus Workshop to discuss the final inspection process and what fire departments need to know about their new rigs before they place them in service. Brought to by our friends at The Fire Store .
Chris Mc Loone and Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Advisor Chris Daly discuss the importance of properly maintaining the tires that carry you and your crews to emergency incidents and cover some ways to maintain control of a vehicle in case a tire blowout occurs while responding. Brought to you by our friends at The Fire Store .
Having covered fill sites, Bill Adkins and Andy Soccodato join Chris Mc Loone to discuss how to set up efficient dump sites, what types of rigs are most appropriate for functioning at dump sites, essential equipment and more. Brought to you by our friends at The Fire Store .
Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch tackle the topic of data: why we get them, wen we get them, how we use them, and what parts are important for single apparatus assessment or an entire fleet assessment.
Adam Graves, Director of First Responder Sales - Valor, sits down with Chris Mc Loone to talk about USSC, how it's more than a seat company, Graves's new role with the company, and USSC's partnerships with other safety companies.
New England has a variety of station designs, ages, and locations. East Litchfield Fire Company's station had a few challenges when it was designing its newest pumper, among them the height and width of the bay door as well as the rig's angle of approach. The fire company turned to 4 Guys Fire Trucks to build an engine that would accommodate these restrictions, ending up with beaver tails at the top rear of the apparatus. Representatives from the manufacturer, dealer, and fire department sit dow...
Chris Mc Loone and Jason Witmier, director of education and technology at Safe Fleet, discuss the challenges of understanding today's lighting system ratings and technology and how electric valves for fire apparatus have evolved in this episode of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Podcast.
Talking maintenance might have been a better title for this episode since Chris Mc Loone and Ricky Riley tackle issues like shop labor, standardizing fleets, the importance of fleet representation on fire apparatus purchasing committees and more.
Chris Mc Loone shares his thoughts on Hurricane Helene and its remnants as at least five states continued to be impacted by the storm as well as an update on the Atlanta “Hybrid Trucks” recently placed in service in this episode of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Podcast. Brought to you by Toyne, www.toyne.com .
Andy Soccodato and Bill Adkins join Chris Mc Loone to discuss equipment caches to ensure you have successful fill site operations. Topics range from MDH vs. LDH, assigning an engine to a fill site--even when the source is a hydrant--innovations departments should consider, and more. Brought to you by Toyne, www.toyne.com .
Chris Mc Loone visits with Ben Bregg, sales engineer with Spencer Manufacturing, to discuss the company's history, product lines, and its recent expansion.
In this episode of The Apparatus Workshop, Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch take ground ladder selection, platforms/towers vs. aerials, and more and roll them together to cover all the ins and outs of what it means to get a ladder truck to be operational and set up for success. Brought to you by Toyne: www.toyne.com .
Chris Mc Loone shares thoughts on his recent experience participating in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field as well as the upcoming September 11 anniversary.
Highway accidents and fire apparatus crashes--what is the answer? Chris Mc Loone and Chief Ricky Riley discuss the impact rig crashes have on budgets, operations, and potential solutions to the problem. Are blocking rigs the answer? Whatever answer your department comes up with, make sure you are capturing the data. Riley also talks about challenges he encounters when consulting with departments on new fire apparatus orders and talks about Kentland, Maryland, Rescue-Engine 13 almost 10 years sin...
Chris Mc Loone discusses the new Massachusetts law regarding PFAS in the PPE we wear to fires as well as three "Hybrid Trucks" being prepared to go in service in Atlanta, Georgia.
The inaugural episode of "The Apparatus Workshop" tackles the "working end" of an engine company apparatus: the rear of a pumper. But, like everything when we talk about fire apparatus, you can't talk about one thing without talking about something else. Join Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch to see where the conversation goes as they cover the working end of an engine.
Tanker/Tender designs continually evolve. Used in many rural areas, these rigs can be equipped or traditional first-due pumper responsibilities as well as being straight water haulers. Join Chris Mc Loone, Andy Soccodato, and Bill Adkins as the delve into designs for these units, whether or not they should respond at emergency speed, whether they should all be equipped with some type of pump, and more in this edition of our Water Delivery Podcast.
Dive into rescue truck design in this Podcast with Chris McLoone and Alex Moody as they discuss the variety of extrication tool types available and how each can impact rescue truck design.
Chris Mc Loone and Ken Newell, of Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects discuss the latest in fire station design trends, including hot, warm, and cold zone design; other health and safety features; building for electric fire apparatus; planning for the future; building for possible future electrification; and more.
Editor in Chief Chris Mc Loone comments on the recent reauthorization of the AFG and SAFER grant programs but cautions: We're Not Done yet. He also discusses a recent apparatus vs. apparatus crash, asks for feedback on if your department requires apparatus operators to wear turnout gear, and more.
A variety of programs exist across the country to help firefighters reduce exposure to different contaminants. Pasco County Fire Rescue's DECON on-scene program involves on-scene PPE decon as well as decon performed at an ISP. Learn about this program and the vehicles used to deliver it to Pasco County firefighters with Chris Mc Loone and Chief JJ Martinez.
