Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Podcast

On this episode of Talking Trucks, Chris Mc Loone and Ricky Riley discuss maintenance considerations apparatus purchasing committees should take into account during the design process, maintenance tasks that can be done at the company level, mechanic participation on the apparatus committee, and more.

This episode of our Moving Water podcast discusses ways that fire departments can take reserve pumpers and turn them into units specifically used to move high volumes of water. Of course there are caveats. Learn all about it in this month's Moving Water episode.

TIC use for size-up has changed over time as technology has evolved. Learn about specific features of today’s TICs that can make size-up more effective and efficient, how to communicate what firefighters see on the screen, and more in this episode of TIC Talk.

In this episode of FEMSA Focus, Chris Mc Loone sits down with Kevin Sofen and David Eskew to discuss how FEMSA addresses technology changes in the market, overcoming the technology gap, technologies used outside the fire service they want to see adopted here, and more.

This episode of The Apparatus Workshop features Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch discussing the myriad facets of apparatus specifying that tough on weight from the time it lands in your department, to the time it leaves, and everywhere in between.

The Idaho shootings on June 29, 2025 combined with losing  a firefighter to cancer the same week might lead some to become disheartened, but the whistle still blows, and we must remember why we do what we do, especially to keep the memories of those we've lost alive.

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A recent YouTube Short by Ricky Riley on Low Hosebeds got a lot of attention and more than a few comments on social media. In this episode of Talking Trucks, Ricky Riley and Chris Mc Loone address a number of the responses to this video and share insights on designing pumpers to accommodate lower hosebeds, including overall length, compartment style, and tank size/configuration considerations.

If you've had questions about NFPA 1970 and how it impacts about the PPE we wear, don't miss this Podcast with Wells Bullard (Bullard) and Bill Van Lent (Veridian) as they sit down with Chris Mc Loone about some of the changes to the standard and how they will affect our gear's construction.

Gabe Casucci, director of sales fire and EMS for SoundOff Signal, joins Chris Mc Loone to discuss the company's history, its silicone lighting product line, and how the company can help fire departments navigate lighting options during the specification process.

For more information, visit www.soundoffsignal.com.

Andy Soccodato and Bill Adkins join Chris Mc Loone to discuss how to design pumpers as water movers. From pump plumbing to intakes, Andy, Bill, and Chris cover what you need to think about on the rural side and the suburban/urban side.

In this episode, Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch welcome back Tom Shand to discuss specification boilerplate and what purchasing committees can do with it today vs. what they could do with it before, as well as well as setting up a successful bid to ensure multiple manufacturers participate and whether this is the path to take today.

For fleet managers and emergency apparatus mechanics, outfitting a mobile service unit is more than just picking out a truck. In this episode. Andy Biron and Chris Mc Loone discuss designing and equipping mobile service units for fire apparatus maintenance divisions and dealers.

Chris Crowell, Emergency Vehicles Lead, Cummins, and Jason Witmier, Director of Education and Technology, Safe Fleet, and FAMA Vice President, join Chris Mc Loone to discuss upcoming EPA changes taking effect in 2027 and how they will impact your rigs' designs.

More FAMA content can be found at www.fireapparatus.com/fama.

Jay Johnson, of Rosenbauer America, joins Chris Mc Loone to discuss Rosenbauer America's stock fire apparatus offerings and how they can offer a flexible approach tailored to the changing demands of the fire service. Learn about financial considerations, customization options, and more.

For more information on Rosenbauer America's stock fire apparatus program, visit www.rosenbaueramerica.com.

FEMSA President Peter Askey and Vice President Karen Emory joined Chris Mc Loone to discuss FEMSA’s role in the fire service, its diversity, and how it supports first responders. FEMSA is rooted in bettering the fire service and is committed to understanding customer challenges, improving supplier performance, and ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of fire service operations. 

Learn more about FEMSA at www.femsa.org.

In this episode, Chris Mc Loone discusses HME-Ahrens Fox's stock rig program with Jeff Rhein, director, sales, HME-Ahrens Fox and, Dale Trettel, chief apparatus officer, Dinges Fire. They cover an overview of HME's approach to stock trucks, the degree HME offers options or configuration changes on its rigs, how much input HME dealers have in the company's rig designs, and more.

Jason Witmier, Director of Education and Technology for Safe Fleet, joins Chris Mc Loone to cover FRC's ACE pump control, including its functionality and customization options, what EVTs can expect, and how to demo ACE.

In this episode, Chris Mc Loone and Chris Ferrara, founder of US Fire Apparatus, discuss the company's stock rig program and how these types of fire apparatus help meet the evolving needs of fire departments with rigs that they can get faster and at a lower cost.