Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Podcast

In this episode of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Podcast, Chris Mc Loone sits down with John Sestrom, product manager at Whelen Engineering , to discuss getting more value out of the lighting you spec on your apparatus, how to measure visibility and what measurements really matter, and what Whelen is doing to address challenges that exist with “white lighting” for fire trucks. They’...

In this Podcast episode, Chris Mc Loone shares his thoughts for departments planning new fire apparatus orders during 2026. He highlights the upcoming 2027 EPA engine regulations requiring new aftertreatment systems that will affect the design of pumpers, aerials, and rescue trucks—specifically impacting compartments behind the pump panel and possibly the cab layout—urging fire departments to enga...

From oversized pumps and foam capacity to aerial waterway innovations and collaborative mutual aid, industrial rigs represent a specialized firefighting approach tailored to high-hazard, large-scale incidents. Municipal departments that coexist with industrial targets can benefit immensely by understanding these capabilities and limitations.  Brought to you by our friends at the REV Fire Group .

Firefighting foam technology represents a key element of the evolving fire service toolkit—one poised for broader integration in coming years. Modern fluorine-free foams address critical environmental concerns while maintaining or even improving firefighting effectiveness. Their deployment promises not only tactical advantages on the fireground but greater protection of property and community heal...

This episode of the Apparatus Workshop serves as a primer on fire apparatus compartments. Whether building a new rescue engine, aerial, or squad, understanding compartment dimensions, equipment needs, and collaboration with stakeholders is critical to creating a functional and durable fire apparatus that serve the department well for years to come. Brought to you by our friends at the REV Fire Gro...

Antique rig and vintage fire station preservation collide in this episode of Talking Trucks with Chris Mc Loone, Ricky Riley, and Firefighter Jason Lloyd as they explore Harrisburg's (PA) Allison Hook & Ladder Co. No. 2 and its B-Model Mack tractor-drawn aerial. Brought to you by our friends at The REV Group .

In this Podcast episode, Chris Mc Loone speaks with Jesse Moy, Senior VP of Sales at Groves, Inc., discuss now NFPA 1850 is changing the way departments approach PPE cleaning and decon, how departments can design or upgrade their decon facilities, the importance of science-based decontamination products, and how technology and education will continue to shape firefighter health and wellness initia...

This episode of FEMSA Focus features Peter Askey, president of FEMSA, and Todd Herring, vice president of product innovation at Fire-Dex. Askey and Herring join Chris Mc Loone to discuss NFPA 1950, its origins, FEMSA tools for caring for PPE, and how the fire service can participate in the standard development process. Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech .

In the latest Apparatus Workshop episode, Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch reviewed previous Podcast topics and discussed how to get 2026 started off right. Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech .

In this episode of FAMA Forum, Chris Mc Loone discusses the inaugural FAMA Fire Apparatus Design Symposium with Jason Witmier, who provides the organizer's perspective, and Assistant Chief of Operations Ray Fuiten, Green Bay Metro Fire Department, who provides an attendee's perspective. Learn about this year’s event, next year’s event, why Chief Fuiten decided to attend, and advice for people who...

In this episode, Andy Soccodato share lessons learned from their training experiences during 2025. The discussion touched numerous practical aspects of water supply, pumping operations, and apparatus setup within diverse firefighting environments. For a deep dive into water supply operations and apparatus setups drawn from across the country, this podcast remains a valuable resource to bookmark an...

In this episode of Talking Trucks, Chris Mc Loone sat down with fire service veteran Ricky Riley to discuss the NFPA 1900 standard, particularly the recommendations governing fire apparatus service lives. The conversation tackled the practicality of the “15/25 year rule” — that is, retiring rigs from frontline service at 15 years and fully from service by 25 — amid today’s fiscal and operational r...

In this episode of the Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment podcast, host Chris McLoone shared his thoughts on apparatus reliability and the replacement timelines NFPA 1900 recommends. His reflections touched on real-world operational challenges and financial constraints that departments face nationwide. Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech and TheFireStore .

This episode of the Apparatus Workshop Podcast focuses on reserve fire apparatus and how to spec rigs to reduce out of service time and help fleets survive the current market trend. Join Nick Wilbur, Win Slauch, and Tom Shand for this discussion on ensuring your new rigs are spec'd out to stay in service so you don't have to rely on your reserve fleet. Brought to you our friends at Rescue Intellit...

In this episode of Moving Water, Chris Mc Loone, Andy Soccodato, and Bill Adkins discuss preventive maintenance on water delivery equipment. From manifold appliances and nozzles to intake valves and tanker dump valves, the conversation lays out practical advice for keeping your apparatus fully operational. Brought to you our friends at Rescue Intellitech and TheFireStore.com .

In this episode of Talking Trucks, Chris Mc Loone sits down with Ricky Riley to break down the complexities of heavy rescue truck design. They explore fundamental decisions that fire departments face—crew cab configurations, walk-in versus walk-through bodies, and single versus tandem axles—highlighting how equipment types and mission requirements shape these choices. The conversation delves into...

In the realm of fire apparatus specification, one of the most important things to get right, yet one of the most difficult to understand sometimes, is lighting. Firefighters are well accustomed to understanding gallons per minute and pounds per square inch, but lux and lumens are not always terms easily understood, nor is understanding the nuances of getting a scene light, for example, to shine li...

The engine and apparatus manufacturers can offer more information on what to expect for EPA-compliant engines scheduled for 2027. Every apparatus manufacturer could have different approaches to working around new engine configurations. Here's information you should ask your manufacturers for. Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech and TheFireStore .

In a recent episode of the Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment podcast, Chris Mc Loone sat down with Safe Fleet’s Director of Education and Technology, Jason Witmier, to discuss the educational resources Safe Fleet provides for the fire service. The program includes tools and programs designed to improve firefighter knowledge and operational safety. The goal is education first—helping firefight...

During this episode of Talking Trucks, the conversation between Chris Mc Loone and Ricky Riley focused on whether or not there has been a shift toward building more practical fire apparatus in recent years, even before the current apparatus purchasing atmosphere. Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech and The Fire Store .

In this episode of the Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment Podcast, Chris Mc Loone sat down with Jamie Little, director of market development at Rescue Intellitech. Their discussion covered the company’s approach to firefighter gear cleaning and decontamination, the health risks firefighters face, and the role of modern cleaning technology in reducing exposure to toxins. While technology is cri...

In this episode of FEMSA Focus, David Durstine and Dave Russell, both on the joint FAMA/FEMSA Government Affairs Committee (GAC), provide an update on how the Government shutdown will impact programs like the AFG program and entities like the USFA and NFA. They both express the importance of engaging with your Congressional representatives and senators as well as provide ways firefighters can get...

Fire departments across the country constantly balance operational needs, community safety, and budget realities. One critical factor often influencing these decisions is the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating. This episode covers ISO criteria, its relationship with fire apparatus specifications, and practical guidance to help fire chiefs and apparatus of...

Thermal imaging technology has transformed firefighting tactics over the past decades, enhancing firefighters’ abilities to detect heat signatures invisible to the naked eye. While thermal imagers are commonly associated with search and rescue or fire attack, their role in overhaul is equally critical. Manfred Kihn, discusses how firefighters should use thermal imagers during overhaul operations i...

In Inside Fire Facilities, Chris Mc Loone sits down with Zach Willard, general manager of Fire Facilities, to discuss the critical role of live fire training towers in firefighter preparedness. Fire Facilities has manufactured steel live fire training towers for over 35 years, pioneering innovations that have shaped firefighter training nationwide. For more information, visit www.firefacilities.co...