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 customization of compartments, weighing the benefits of tailored tool storage against the risks of over-specialization, especially given the evolving nature of rescue gear. They also tackle modern trends like battery-powered cordless tools and question the necessity of traditional generators. Drawing on real-world experience and on-the-ground insights, Ricky offers practical advice for departments aiming to build durable, mission-focused rigs that balance innovation with adaptability.

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 light where you think it will. Along the way there are numerous types of lights, among them silicone lighting; National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliance; and writing the specs themselves. But, companies like SoundOff Signal offer support when specifying the lighting on your next rig.  View this Podcast at: https://youtu.be/b19uCcyGISI.

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 firefighters understand how nozzles, pumps, foam systems, lighting, and other apparatus components actually function in real fireground scenarios.

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 critical, Little emphasized that firefighter behavior remains the biggest challenge to exposure reduction. He admitted firefighters often delay cleaning their gear due to turnaround time or underestimating contamination extent—especially after seemingly minor calls. But he warned that even kitchen fires can produce the dirtiest chemical residues. Learn about Rescue Intellitech and the cleaning technology available to reduce your firefighters' exposure to contaminants in this episode of our Podcast.

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 involved and how to speak with one, unified voice. Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech and The FireStore.

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 officers make informed decisions that optimize both ISO scores and operational effectiveness. Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech and The FireStore. 

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 in this episode of TIC Talk. Brought to you by our friends at Bullard (https://www.bullard.com/thermal-imaging/)

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.com.

In this episode of EVT Talk, brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech, Chris Mc Loone sits down with Kevin Roberts, president of the Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification Commission (EVTCC), at the annual Fire Truck Training Conference (FTTC) in Lansing, Michigan, to discuss the evolving landscape of emergency vehicle technician (EVT) training, the critical role of hands-on gatherings, and the cautious but practical integration of AI in education.  Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech.

In this episode of FEMSA Focus, Chris Mc Loone speaks with extrication tool manufacturer executives Shelly Elliott, President for North America at Holmatro and Emilie Maheu, President of AMKUS. They discuss challenges for manufacturers, challenges for the fire service, and what's on the horizon for future extrication tool design. Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech.

In the latest episode of the Moving Water podcast from Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment, Andy Soccodato and Bill Adkins dive deep into the intricacies of fireground water supply, focusing on appliances, manifolds, and intake considerations. Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech: www.rescueintellitech.com 

Chris Mc Loone and FAMA Vice President Jason Witmier discuss a new fire service education event designed to help fire departments specify their fire apparatus.

The latest episode of The Apparatus Workshop, hosted by Nick Wilbur and Win Slauch, offers an in-depth look at what happens after a new fire apparatus rolls off the factory floor. While some might assume the job of a spec committee ends at delivery, this discussion reveals the complex, ongoing process involving final inspections, operational training, and maintenance planning that extends well beyond delivery day.

In this episode of TIC Talk, Chris Mc Loone and Manfred Kihn discussed a fundamental but often misunderstood aspect of firefighting technology: temperature measurement using thermal imagers. Despite advances in thermal imaging, many firefighters still grapple with correctly interpreting the information these tools provide, especially the temperature readouts that can influence critical decisions on the fireground.

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.