Rig Recon Live

Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier welcome Jason Nickelson, Fleet Administrator for Mesa Fire and Medical, to discuss managing a large, diverse fleet and spec’ing apparatus for extreme Arizona conditions. Nickelson outlines Mesa’s fleet (about 250 total units, including 70 apparatus and 30 ambulances) and primary manufacturers (Pierce, E-One, Horton). He explains how Mesa standardizes key chassis compo...

Rig Recon Live hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier talk with Chief Poitras of the Limestone Fire Department in northern Maine about ordering the department’s first new fire truck in 30 years. Poitras shares his background as a third-generation chief and fleet mechanic, outlines Limestone’s rural coverage (including contracted service to Caswell) and reliance on water shuttle due to limited, low-fl...

Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss fire apparatus pump panel design, emphasizing end-user specifications that improve usability, maintenance, and apparatus size. They compare manual push-pull valves, rack-and-sector, and handwheel controls, highlighting mechanical advantage, slow-close requirements, handle locking, and layout tradeoffs that can affect wheelbase. They address electric valves, ex...

On Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier follow up their episode on rising apparatus costs by outlining practical ways departments can control the price of their next rig. They discuss using OEM “stock,” “retail,” or program units with common options instead of extensive customization, and emphasize that labor-intensive features can raise costs, using roll-up versus hinged compartment door...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier break down why fire apparatus costs have risen sharply in recent years and why comparisons to mass-produced cars miss the reality of highly customized, labor-intensive fire truck builds. Using real examples, they note a custom pumper that cost about $625,000 in 2015 versus a similar well-equipped stock unit around $925,000 today, wit...

In this Rig Recon Live episode, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss fire apparatus camera systems, starting with code requirements: backup cameras moved from an NFPA 1901 appendix recommendation to a requirement in NFPA 1900 effective January 2024, while older rigs aren’t required to be updated unless certain refurbishments apply. They explain retrofit options, especially wireless systems, and c...

Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss hose bed storage and hose retention systems on fire apparatus, focusing on attack and supply hose and what NFPA requires. They explain how incidents—including a crosslay launching and damaging vehicles and a fatal case where a five-inch coupling killed a child—drove NFPA to add mid-cycle retention requirements, later broadened, and how hose storage moved from...

Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss why fire apparatus weight matters beyond OEM specs, emphasizing liability after crashes, vehicle longevity, and handling safety. They explain how NFPA requires OEMs to weigh the finished truck with full fluids and account for fixed items, personnel (250 lbs per seat), and estimated equipment by storage volume, but not the real-world variability of loaded compa...

On Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier talk with Jason Davis of Bulldog about fire apparatus refurbishments and how “refurb” can range from repainting and reconfiguring compartments to new chassis, rebuilt engines/transmissions, aerial teardown/inspection, and even replacing frame rails. Davis explains Bulldog’s process involving sales, in-house engineering, fabrication, and paint,...

On Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier interview Bob Albano of Hendrickson Fire about fire apparatus suspension and why it matters beyond comfort; protecting firefighters, electronics, cab/chassis, and keeping trucks in service over long lifecycles. Bob outlines front options (beam/straight axle with multi-leaf or parabolic springs, and independent front suspension via air or mecha...

On Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier talk with the Godfather of Brass Tacks Hard Facts, Jerry Herbst, about how fire apparatus should be viewed. Small mistakes in pressure and flow can get firefighters hurt, burned, or killed. Herbst explains how “Know Your Flow” training emphasizes accuracy over guesswork, validates real-world friction and plumbing losses, and builds rig-specifi...

Rig Recon Live hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by retired Ottawa Fire Captain and Apparatus Consultant Bruce Griffin to discuss why fire departments should challenge apparatus decisions with a clear “why” rather than “that’s how we’ve always done it.” Griffin shares experience designing Ottawa’s fleet, including studies on reflective striping (highlighting wheel wells for vehicle re...

Join hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier on this episode of Rig Recon Live as they discuss efficient tanker operations with water flow expert Henry Lovett. Delve into the challenges and best practices of rural water supply, including optimal setup for dump sites and fill sites, the advantages of utilizing turbo draft devices, and effective ways to maintain continuous water flow during fire operati...

In the Season 3 debut of Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by experienced firefighter Kyle Romagus. With 24 years in the fire service, Kyle shares insights on apparatus design, effective hose management, and the importance of pre-planning for unpredictable fireground conditions. The episode delves into the concept of 'War Wagons' – versatile and well-equipped...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier host Andy Plofkin, Director of North American Regional Sales at Elkhart Brass, to delve into the extensive experience and services offered by the FEI team. Andy shares insights from his 42 years in the fire service and discusses the critical aspects of fire apparatus maintenance, including Know Your Flow classes, LED lighting upgrade...

Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in an exciting episode of Rig Recon Live as they discuss the intricacies of fire apparatus specifications with industry legend Brian Brush. This episode covers the importance of rig specs, hose loads, cross lays, and effective deployment strategies. Listen to Brian's insights on the exponential engine model, quick attack high flow lines, and the significance...

Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier on this episode of Rig Recon Live as they chat with Ricky Riley, a veteran firefighter with extensive knowledge in fire apparatus. Ricky shares his insights from decades of experience, discussing the importance of apparatus maintenance, the challenges of aging equipment, and the benefits of retrofitting older rigs. The conversation covers various key points, incl...

Welcome to another episode of Rig Recon Live! Hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier dive deep into the world of fire pumps with guests Todd Rogers and Jason Nawrocki from Waterous. They discuss the importance of pump ratings, common issues like cavitation and overheating, and the difference between electric and air primers. The team also highlights the valuable educational tools available through Wa...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by Eric Wheaton, an 18-year battalion chief from the City of Winter Park, Florida. The episode dives deep into the intricacies of aerial apparatus setup and operations, focusing on the differences between mid mount vs. rear mount and bucket vs. ladder configurations. Eric shares his vast experience and insights on co...

Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in this episode of Rig Recon Live as they sit down with retired Battalion Chief Rob Fisher to delve into the intricacies of Quint designs and operations. Rob shares his extensive experience in the fire service, discussing the evolution of Quint apparatus, key considerations for effective planning, and the tactical application of Quints in both suburban and urban...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier delve into NFPA 1900, focusing on its purpose, changes, and the importance of public comments. The discussion covers the code's safety standards for fire apparatus, the process for submitting public comments, and the importance of staying updated with the latest revisions. Jason, a member of the NFPA committee, provides insights...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, hosted by Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier, the duo dives into the revolutionary ACE system recently debuted at FDIC by FRC. The discussion focuses on how the Advanced Control Environment (ACE) technology enhances fire apparatus pump controls without replacing the essential pump operator. They explore the history and advancements in pump control technology, safety f...

Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in this episode of Rig Recon Live as they welcome Cole Kleinwolterink, the founder of Fire Training Directory. Cole discusses his background and passion for the fire service, his transition from being a middle school teacher to becoming a full-time firefighter, and his recent promotion to fire lieutenant. He provides an in-depth look at the Fire Training Director...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by Chief Ed Rice to discuss an important and often overlooked aspect of fire service: the prevention and management of fire apparatus accidents. Drawing from Chief Rice's extensive 28-year career with the District of Columbia Fire and EMS department, they explore topics such as fleet management, apparatus design, acci...

Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier on another episode of Rig Recon Live, featuring special guests Mike Wilbur and Tom Shand, the renowned Apparatus Architects. Dive into the critical aspects of pre-construction conferences for fire apparatus, including weight distribution, safety, and equipment layout. Learn about the complexities of modern fire truck specifications, the impact of long lead times,...