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NOVEMBER 2026

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BUILT TO LAST Engineering growth through tariff turmoil

2027 APPARATUS SHOWCASE & DIRECTORY HISTORY RESTORED / 24 OVER-ENGINEERING / 30

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INSIDE NOVEMBER 2026 firefightingincanada.com

FEATURES

BUILT TO LAST, GROWING FAST

FROM DIRTY TO CLEAN

HISTORY RESTORED

North America’s apparatus manufacturers are engineering growth through a challenging trade environment By Laura Aiken

Rethinking the decontamination process in fire station design By Deputy Chief Marco Guidotti

PIERCE EYES THE FUTURE

THE PROCESS OF COMMAND

Inside a factory tour focused on facing future demand By Jacob Munro

Decision making and preparing your people for high stakes By Chris Davison-Vanderburg

A truck from 1927 gets all the TLC it needs in Ingersoll, Ont. By Jacob Munro

COLUMNS

DEPARTMENTS

4 COMMENT

8 STATION TO

By Laura Aiken

12 LEADERSHIP FORUM By Rob Grimwood

COVER PHOTO: TEREX

26 MY TWO CENTS By Corey Brooks

STATION

30 TECH TALK By Chris Dennis

74 TRAINER’S CORNER By Ed Brouwer

78 VOLUNTEER VISION By Darrell Graham On the Cover: Brampton’s new E-ONE 95 platform was delivered by 1200 Degrees. ESTABLISHED 1957 NOVEMBER 2026 VOL. 70 NO. 7

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EDITOR LAURA AIKEN

COMMENT

It’s a North American market I’ve always been told there are two topics to avoid debating at the dinner table: religion and politics. I’m not about to breach that provision over a breaking of bread here. I will, however, offer some political observations that may be construed as food for thought. First, let’s address what we’re all digesting: We are living in some weird times. Life is not business as usual. In very generalistic terms, Canada seems to be behaving atypically patriotic and annoyed; defensive and offensive maneuvers at micro and macro levels. At least the booing at professional sporting events appears to have ended. The U.S. could be described as unusually quiet; where is their fearless leader going to take them next? Holistically, there is global uncertainty. When are wars going to end, gas prices going to fall, a tariff dust up with America going to blow over? And, how will all of this change the course of a history yet to be written? I interviewed several fire truck manufacturers for this edition’s cover story. Whether

American or Canadian, the challenges are much the same. The tactics to engineer growth through this economic grind are similar. No matter which direction the compass points, all are aware that they are operating in a North American market and their customers on both sides of the border matter equally. All of us are upset with the price of diesel and gas. All of us wonder when the price of fire trucks might stop doubling or tripling. We know fleets aren’t going to stop aging, municipalities aren’t likely to stop getting bigger and the fire service, far from facing a reduction in demand, will continue to innovate to do more with less. Because we have more weird weather, weird wildfires and general weirdness in these very weird times. And while all this is going on, the AI pundits can’t decide if the world is going to end in 10 years or turn into utopia. Dealer’s choice? It’s enough to turn a cheek to the general news, put one’s head down and carry

44 OF CANADIAN FIRE %

Sarnia replaced its entire horse-drawn fleet with three motorized apparatus between 1921-1926. – Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment

DEPARTMENTS SAY they need a new fire truck. - 2025 Great Canadian Fire Census

pumpers more than 15 years old. – 2025 Great Canadian Fire Census

Montreal began motorizing its fire fighting fleet in 1912 with the purchase of a motorized hose wagon and two automobile tractors. – Montreal Fire Department

4 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

LAURA AIKEN Editor laiken@annexbusinessmedia.com

Winnipeg paid $10,700 for its first motorized pumper in 1916, a 105-horsepower American LaFrance. – Winnipeg Firefighters Museum

TORONTO PUT ITS FIRST TWO ELECTRIC PUMPERS INTO FRONTLINE SERVICE IN 2025. – City of Toronto

@fireincanada

IMAGESS: FIREFLY

Canadian fire % of departments have

on living life and doing good work, which is what I feel many of us are doing. Uncertainty is uncomfortable — it is understandable to desire a respite in what homeostasis there is. But we must respond to the continual prods that throw us off balance. That is what our fire apparatus manufacturers are facing; rules that don’t stay the same, a game that makes planning extremely difficult. They are doing a bang-up job of being resilient, facing the challenges head on and bringing innovations to fire departments. The executives I speak with are amongst the most dedicated I have had the pleasure to interview. They have a passion for great fire trucks, and we do too, so please enjoy this November issue celebrating all things apparatus.

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STATION TO STATION Regional News Briefs

Federal government funding Fort Garry to the tune of $2.1 million

In August, the U.S. imposed additional tariffs on Canadian goods, creating significant uncertainty for workers, businesses and communities, including manufacturers and the supply chains they depend on. Canada responded by matching the new U.S. tariffs dollar-for-dollar and providing $7.5 billion in new and enhanced

8 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

support, both repayable and nonrepayable, including via the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI). As part of these efforts, Eleanor Olszewski, minister of emergency management and community resilience and the minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced the $15.9 million for 15 projects led by 11 Winnipegbased organizations through the RTRI and Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program onsite at Fort Garry Fire Trucks. “Canada did not choose this trade conflict with the United States, but we are determined to support the workers, businesses, and communities facing its impacts. Manitoba manufacturers have long been a driving force behind the success of North American free trade, and they are now adapting to a fundamentally different trading environment by investing in new equipment, increasing production, and pursuing new markets,” said Olszewski. “Our government is proud to stand with businesses as they strengthen supply chains, grow domestic capacity, and create the conditions for a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy.” The government states these projects will help manufacturers grow, improve productivity, strengthen domestic supply chains and reach new markets. Winnipeg’s manufacturing

Canadian Firefighter Cancer Foundation commences It’s a story that too many fire fighters know too well. Friends and fellow service members lost to cancer; struck down prematurely for doing a job that saves so many. To Bradley R. Davidson, who retired in 2021 after four decades in the fire service, it’s a story that hits close to home. After losing several friends and colleagues to cancer over the years, Davidson decided he needed to act. “They were all actually big losses and very personal. And so, I kept mulling this over and over. I believe I was grieving a bit, and all of a sudden I opened my eyes one morning and thought, ‘Why is there not a national charity or foundation supporting our brothers?’” said Davidson. On Aug. 25, Davidson followed through and launched the Canadian Firefighter Cancer Foundation (CFCF) as a national charitable organization dedicated to raising awareness of occupational cancers among firefighters, supporting affected firefighters and their @fireincanada

PHOTO: FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS / FILE

Fort Garry Fire Trucks is set to receive just over $2.1 million in funding from the federal government as part of a $15.9 million funding package for Winnipeg’s advanced manufacturing sector to help offset U.S. tariffs. Per a December 2025 labour force survey, Manitoba’s manufacturing sector employed 67,700 workers, about 9 per cent of the province’s total workforce. When the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect in 1994, Manitoba manufacturers were among the first to seize the opportunity. That year, the province’s exports to the U.S. grew faster than those of any other province, led in part by major gains in machinery, transportation equipment, and other manufactured products. Over the three decades that followed, Manitoba businesses expanded, created skilled jobs and built supply chains around a reliable continental trading relationship. However, that relationship has since changed.

Fort Garry Fire Trucks is a beneficiary of a federal government funding package worth $15.9 million.

sector is highly interconnected, with local companies supplying the equipment, technology and expertise that support production across the province, Canada, and around the globe. By supporting productivity, modernization and market competitiveness, the federal government reports that it is helping Manitoba’s advanced manufacturing sector respond to the immediate pressures created by U.S. tariffs while building greater economic resilience over the long term. These investments will support new equipment, automation, digital systems, workforce training and expanded production across a range of manufacturing industries.

families, advancing education and prevention initiatives, and advocating for improved firefighter health across Canada, including mandatory cancer screenings. “In the Canadian national framework, there’s a gap. They’re recognizing firefighter occupational cancer, like in B.C., and how it happens and there’s legislation around it. But, the missing part in the national framework is how to implement it,” said Davidson, who also said that he is writing a workbook on what policies departments can put in place, as well as how to implement them. With a plethora of industry awards to his name, including the ISFSI Alan V. Brunacini Lifelong Learner Scholarship Award, and having served on numerous NFPA technical committees and audited numerous fire halls across Saskatchewan, Davidson is an accomplished and well-credentialed fire service veteran. He didn’t wish to dwell on his achievements, but he did hope that his experience working on and developing

the NFPA standards will lend him some credibility with fire chiefs and municipalities across Canada. The new foundation’s mission includes: • Taking care of their own (firefighters) • Supporting firefighters and their families affected by cancer after diagnosis and beyond • Promoting cancer prevention and awareness initiatives • Funding and supporting firefighter health programs • Advocating for enhanced occupational cancer recognition and protections • Building partnerships with fire services, researchers, healthcare professionals, and community organizations across Canada • Creating national awareness campaigns focused on firefighter health and wellness Davidson is currently assembling the foundation’s first board and has focused on adding people who are leaders, whether it’s in fire fighting research, data collection, or

charity organizing. Once assembled, he wants to press “go” as soon as possible. “I hope by the time it’s gotten off the ground we’ll already be on our way to gathering a significant amount of data that can be used for further studies, research and funding,” he said. “And I would like to say that we’ll be in a position to present workshops and educational seminars, and also to actually start helping families of firefighters that have been diagnosed.” As part of its national launch, the CFCF is inviting fire departments, firefighter organizations, healthcare professionals, researchers, corporate sponsors, donors, and community members to join its mission of improving firefighter health and cancer awareness throughout Canada. Davidson can be reached at bradrd@icloud.com or by phone at 204-271-2248. Have a news story to share with the fire service? Reach out to laiken@annexbusinessmedia.com.

November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 9 CFF_Ocean Aid_Apr23_CSA.indd 1

2023-02-28 1:19 PM

THE FIRE HALL BULLETIN PROMOTIONS & APPOINTMENTS The City of Waterloo, Ont., appointed SANDY VAN SOLM fire chief of Waterloo Fire Rescue, making her the first woman to hold the position. Van Solm, who has served as deputy chief since 2020, brings more than 25 years of public safety experience, including roles in emergency management and fire services in the Waterloo Region, at Toronto Pearson airport and in Amsterdam. NICK HALMASY, a 15-year fire service veteran and longtime Fire Fighting in Canada writer, has been tapped as the Selwyn Township Fire Department in Ontario’s next deputy fire chief, effective Oct. 19. Halmasy served as a volunteer firefighter with Selwyn’s department and, according to Selwyn’s council, has been instrumental in the implementation of a peer support program. He has also contributed much to the fire service through his work as a psychotherapist and through his organization After the Call. Cherry Creek Fire Department in B.C. promoted WES KOVACS to deputy fire chief, filling the position previously held by Shane Wangler, who retired in 2024 after 30 years of service. Kovacs joined the department nearly 10 years ago and has since completed advanced fire officer training, served as an instructor and was deployed on a month-long wildland fire assignment this summer. The Municipality of Temagami appointed KATE-LYN RITZ as deputy fire chief of the Temagami Fire Department in Ontario following a council vote on Aug. 13. Ritz has served as the department’s training officer for the past several years and is qualified as an NFPA Fire Instructor Level I. She also brings leadership and training experience from the Canadian Armed Forces, where she worked with the cadet instructor cadre. Colwood Fire Rescue in B.C. named SCOTT

ABRAHAMSON as fire chief and JOSH PETTIGREW as deputy fire chief following the departure of longtime Chief Bryan Erwin. Abrahamson joined Colwood Fire in 2005 and became a career firefighter in 2012, working his way through the ranks from fire prevention officer to fire chief. Pettigrew joined the department as a volunteer firefighter in 2011, became a career member in 2016, and most recently served as assistant chief. BRIAN ARNOLD is now the interim executive director of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) following the departure of Mark MacDonald, who has returned to the municipal fire service. Arnold, who is the former fire chief for the Guelph Fire Department, is a former OAFC board member and brings years of fire service experience to the role. The Town of Caledon, Ont., appointed SCOTT DALZELL (right) and ROCKY MINO (left) as deputy fire chiefs with Caledon Fire and Emergency Services, effective Sept. 9. Dalzell, who brings 19 years of experience with Toronto and Mississauga fire services, will oversee community risk reduction and administration, while Mino, a 21-year veteran of Markham Fire and Emergency Services, will oversee training, fleet and emergency management. Fire service veteran DAVE WOOD has been tapped to be the City of Delta’s new fire chief. Chief Wood has dedicated more than 25 years of service to the people of Delta and has held numerous leadership roles throughout his time with Delta Fire. Most recently, he has held the role of acting fire chief since the retirement of former chief Guy McKintuck earlier this year. The Town of Saugeen Shores has appointed ANTHONY WOODRUFF as its new deputy fire chief. Woodruff brings more than 18 years of fire service experience in suppression, prevention, investigation, training, and serves as an adjunct instructor and lead

10 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

evaluator with the Ontario Fire College. He holds several fire service and municipal qualifications, including NFPA 1021 Fire Officer IV certification, and is a certified fire investigator and inspector.

RETIREMENTS In B.C., North Fraser Fire Department Deputy Chief CURTIS STEVENS has retired after 39 years of service. During nearly four decades with the department, Stevens served in a variety of leadership roles and helped train and mentor generations of firefighters. The department credited his experience and leadership with helping shape its operations and development over the years. Lincoln Fire Rescue Service Fire Chief GREG HUDSON announced his retirement from the fire service after serving for 38 years. Lincoln’s fire chief for 15 years, Hudson said that serving with the town’s fire department was one of the greatest experiences of his life and that serving as its chief was the “honour and privilege of a lifetime.” Hudson’s last day was Sept. 30.

LAST ALARM The Langley, B.C., community is mourning the passing of its former fire chief and community leader, JIM MCGREGOR, who passed away on Aug. 20 at the age of 77. McGregor started with the Langley City Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in 1970 and impressed, stepping up to fire chief in 1983. He served as Langley’s fire chief until his retirement in 2006. McGregor was also known as a local historian and storyteller who went on to write over 600 columns for the Langley Times after retiring from the fire service. He was also a poet and author, including writer of Climb Higher, a tribute to the first responders who served and lost their lives during 9/11. Have a news story to share with the fire service? Reach out to laiken@annexbusinessmedia.com.

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LEADERSHIP FORUM

Rob Grimwood is the fire chief for the City of Greater Sudbury. He also serves on the board of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. Rob can be reached at Robert.Grimwood@greatersudbury.ca.

By Rob Grimwood, Fire Chief, Sudbury, Ontario

LIFE LESSONS Leadership is often portrayed through its successes. We celebrate the chief who guided an organization through a difficult transition, the company officer who made the right decision at a critical incident, or the leader who inspired a struggling team to perform at its best. We put those moments in presentations, articles and speeches. But there is another side of leadership that is discussed far less openly: failure. Every leader will fail at some point. We will make the wrong decision, communicate poorly, misjudge a situation, choose the wrong person for a task, fail to recognize a problem soon enough, or discover that something we believed was working simply wasn’t. In the fire service, where leadership decisions can affect people, organizations and communities, those failures can be particularly difficult to accept. The real measure of a leader is not whether they fail. It is what they do afterward.

Some of the most valuable leadership lessons come from the moments we would rather forget.

FAILURE IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF LEADERSHIP

There is a tendency to believe that good leaders should always have the answers. Those expectations can cause leaders to hide their mistakes, defend poor decisions, or shift blame when something goes wrong. None of those responses make an organization stronger. Leadership failure should not automatically be interpreted as leadership incompetence. Sometimes a decision is made with the best information available and simply doesn’t produce the expected result. Sometimes circumstances change. Sometimes we make genuine mistakes. The problem isn’t necessarily failure. The problem is failing to learn from it.

12 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

A leader who refuses to acknowledge mistakes creates an organization where people become afraid to speak honestly. Eventually, problems are hidden rather than solved. Bad news travels slowly. Employees learn to tell leaders what they want to hear. That is a dangerous culture for any organization, but especially for a fire department. One of the most powerful things a leader can say is, “I got that wrong.” When leaders accept responsibility, they establish an important standard for everyone else. If the chief can acknowledge a mistake, the deputy chief can. If the company officer can admit an error, the firefighter can learn to do the same. Accountability should never mean publicly humiliating people for mistakes. It means creating an environment where people are expected to recognize problems, take responsibility and improve. There is an enormous difference between asking, “Who is responsible for this?” and asking, “What can we learn from this?” The first question looks backward for someone to blame. The second looks forward to an opportunity to improve. The goal is to turn failure into a building block. A leadership failure becomes valuable when we deliberately examine it. What happened? What did we know at the time? What did we assume? What did we miss? Did we communicate effectively? Did our processes support the decision? Did organizational culture influence our actions? Most importantly, what will we do differently next time? This process requires more than conducting a quick review and moving on. If the lesson is important enough, it should produce change. Perhaps a

policy needs to be rewritten. Maybe training needs to be adjusted. Perhaps responsibilities need to be clarified. It may mean having a difficult conversation with someone, or with ourselves. The goal is to build something better from it. Another danger is allowing a leadership failure to become part of your identity. A bad decision does not make you a bad leader. A failed initiative does not mean you are incapable of leading. A difficult personnel decision that didn’t work out does not erase every good decision you have made. Leadership is cumulative. We learn through experience, and experience includes successes, failures, disappointments, and uncomfortable lessons. Some of the most valuable leadership lessons come from the moments we would rather forget. Strong organizations don’t try to eliminate every mistake. They build systems and cultures that learn from mistakes quickly. That starts with leaders. If leaders examine failure honestly and constructively, people become more willing to identify problems early. Lessons are shared. Training improves. Policies evolve. Expectations become clearer and the organization becomes more resilient. In the fire service, we already understand this concept operationally. After an incident, we conduct critiques, reviews, and debriefings. We examine tactics, communications, equipment, staffing and decision-making. We should bring that same discipline to leadership. Leadership failures can be much the same. The mistake may have consequences that cannot be undone. We cannot always change what happened, but we can decide what happens next. @fireincanada

Fort Garry Fire Trucks is delivering 11 fire trucks to its home city of Winnipeg over three years.

By Laura Aiken

BUILT TO LAST, GROWING FAST Fire truck manufacturers are facing challenges head on

14 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS

Named for its original location at the corner of Fort and Garry streets, Fort Garry Fire Trucks has a storied history in Winnipeg dating back to Fort Garry Industries in 1919. Now helmed by Rick Suche, Fort Garry manufactures apparatus for departments across North America, including a successful 2025 bid to deliver 11 engines to its home city of Winnipeg over three years. The company holds a Sourcewell contract and in January added 17,000 square feet of extra production and service space in the former Freightliner Trans Solutions facility down the street from their CentrePort address. This expansion will add 25 per cent to their production power, said Suche, as they add labour, the latter being the challenge. Fire trucks @fireincanada

PHOTO:FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS

In business, high customer demand is a good problem to have, so long as the company can keep up and keep the quality up with it. There is no shortage of demand for fire trucks, nor any 8-ball about to predict one. Fire truck makers are making short work of this good problem through investment in infrastructure, staff and processes, all while navigating the ongoing economic uncertainty. Emergency vehicles are exempt in the tariff trade rules, but what they are made of is not. Aluminum, a key metal in apparatus, has seen its manufacturer output price increase 16 per cent on average this year through October, reported RBC Insights. Aluminum goes up, costs go up. Diesel goes

up, costs go up. It’s a viral cost spiral, with American and Canadian truck manufacturing crocheted together tight as Grandma’s doilies; a glinty lace of aluminum, steel and copper wiring. The economic and political environment has become difficult to predict for North American apparatus manufacturers who were already beating back long delivery times leftover from COVID-era supply chain disruptions and working with customers who are budgeting for burgeoning prices. So, what’s a fire truck manufacturer to do? Let’s ask them.

are extremely labour-intensive hand-built products. Beyond the shop floor, the company is hiring in quality assurance, engineering and accounting. To help bolster staffing, Fort Garry is providing English classes to the large Ukrainian population that are mostly there on temporary visas, Suche said. “We’re working with consultants and the government to make sure everyone is following every step to make sure they don’t miss something. We invest hundreds of thousands of dollars training these people and we don’t want them to go to Ukraine. And they don’t either. They take overtime happily; they want to get established.” Fort Garry invests — to the tune of about $4 million for their recent expansion — and the government is in turn investing in them. They are receiving over $2.1 million in funding from the federal government as part of a $15.9 million funding package for Winnipeg’s advanced manufacturing sector to help offset U.S. tariffs. The new money will support increased tanker production in Canada and Fort Garry is examining what components might possibly be able to be made in Canada rather than the U.S., said Suche. This is a process — machinery must be procured and people trained to make parts that are typically U.S. produced. Once the supply chain moves, it isn’t likely to move back, unless there was a compelling economic reason, which means aspects of the current strife may alter the way some business is done long-term. ROSENBAUER AMERICA

Austria-based Rosenbauer is one of the largest apparatus makers in the world with sales in over 100 countries and additional interests in aerial ladders, pumps, digital tools and the like. In April, Rosenbauer announced that 2025 was the most successful in its 160-year history. Rosenbauer America, formed in 1995, is a relative youngster in its parent company’s pantheon. In 2021, Rosenbauer International bought out its General Safety Equipment of Minnesota and Central States Fire Apparatus of South Dakota partners to take full ownership of Rosenbauer America. The main U.S. manufacturing plant is in Minnesota, with sister campuses in Lyons, South Dakota, and aerial apparatus manufactured at the company’s Fremont, Neb., campus. The Minnesota

TEREX SPECIALTY VEHICLES

A Q&A with Philip Gerace, senior director of dealer development, specialty vehicles segment, for Terex. How will your growth and investment initiatives position the company for future demand? Terex SV brands are making substantial investments for both immediate reductions in lead times as well as to accommodate the future growth of the businesses. Today we’ve already got slots available for pumpers and aerials at around a year. Going forward into the future, it’s also our goal to align with past standard industry lead times of under a year for a pumper and about 18 months for an aerial. What do you think will be the key priorities for future customer demand? How has the merger changed your ability to meet customer demand? Future fire department strategies in the US and Canada may have different tactics, but the goals will be the same. Reasonable truck lead times that allow for planning and budgeting and safe trucks that perform reliably and are backed by a strong dealer network. As our brands further integrate into the Terex family, we are leveraging Terex’s strengths in utilizing AI for both customer-facing products and in business systems. We’re also looking at products, customer service platforms, and technologies used in the Environmental and Material Processing segments to minimize cost escalation, provide rapid responses for parts and service demands, and increase firefighter safety. What fire truck technologies are you most excited about? Why? Fire departments are continuing to be asked to do more with less, so many of our focus areas are around operational efficiency, keeping trucks in service, simplification, and increased safety. Some exciting initiatives include enhanced 360 camera systems, integration of AI, drones, and telematics that reduce downtime, provide real-time operational data, and allow for continual improvement for future responses. Has your current backlog or delivery timeline changed in the last 12 months, and why? We’ve made substantial progress in reducing backlogs on most of our products at most of our brands. This has been due to our investments at brands like E-ONE with a $23.5 million expansion at our aerial plant and at Spartan with a $20M expansion to increase our S-180 capacity. S-180 is one example of Terex fire brands’ commitment to reduced lead times, a simplified build process, but still with the ability to choose options for your pumper and aerial purchases. In addition, E-ONE has both a Select Series and VM-8 program with a similar modular strategy. Has your pricing structure changed in the past year beyond expected and do you foresee increases tied to trade policy? In the last year, our pricing changes have been made with constrained fire department budgets in mind. Increases have been minimized and based on real product input changes from suppliers, as well as changes to EPA and future NFPA standards. Terex has also launched an optimized procurement organization that aligns our resources to areas where we can create the most value for our customers. This is done by leveraging scale and strengthening supplier partnerships. That means we’re using the strength of the entire organization to minimize apparatus costs. While the vast majority of Fire Group products are purchased from North American suppliers, our product teams will also use our global scale to eliminate as many increases tied to trade policies as possible.

November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 15

Rosenbauer America is planning to build a new service, aftermarket support and training operation facility in Minnesota to the tune of $25 million. service component in company history, said Strunk. This new facility will provide factory-level support to supplement Rosenbauer America’s dealer service network, including Canada, meaning if a truck was out of warranty or needs a major upfit and dealer is at capacity, the Minnesota campus can support them. Hands-on training for the dealer network and mechanics on fire apparatus is another significant capability of the new build. While the majority of training is done on-site in Minnesota, they also train on location and ship props for their larger dealers and to support their Canadian dealers. The training facility is a first of its kind for Rosenbauer in North America, said Strunk, and is part of the international arm’s business model. Training is key, as Rosenbauer also see challenges on the hiring front. “It ebbs and flows,” said Strunk, who observed that younger generations are interested in becoming technicians but can struggle to adapt to the existing culture. They currently have technicians who don’t bat an eye at working through the weekend or until the wee

firefightingincanada.com 16 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

hours to get the job done or to travel commitments in the role that may be off-putting to newer mechanics. “That’s why we’re focused on ensuring our dealer network is getting supported with a robust training program where they can actually use their mechanics in-house to do majority of even the complex repairs on a fire truck,” said Strunk. Having trained techs is key to keeping engine downtime to a minimum and also helps with the long lead times that have plagued the apparatus industry for years. “Our backlog is coming down,” said Stien, who points to an increased output of almost 100 per cent in key production aspects over the last 18 months. At the time of the interview, the Minnesota facility was producing standard pumpers with lead times of approximately 14 months. Amidst progress lies interesting challenges. Rosenbauer America brings product in from European partners that needs to end up in Canada. Sometimes, it’s easier to move it directly from Europe to Canada, remarked Strunk, @fireincanada

PHOTO: ROSENBAUER AMERICA

campus is the site of a planned $25 million investment in a new facility focused on service, aftermarket support, and training operations. “That project is underway,” said Matt Stien, director of operations at Rosenbauer’s Minnesota Campus. The start of construction was recently delayed. Joe Strunk, director of service for Rosenbauer America, said the “most time-consuming portion of the process is envisioning what you’re doing daily in a new building that’s not there…you’re going to have growing pains once it’s built but we’re trying to be as prepared as possible to hit the ground running once the door is open.” The after sales organization will be housed in the new building alongside a training facility. The facility will include a dedicated service bay where the company’s Mod Squad can perform customer-requested upfits and modifications after final acceptance. Rosenbauer International’s full ownership means a focus on transferring its service and parts into the North American market, making this latest investment its largest in the

CHANGE YOUR THINKING 1800 WITH

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but the scenario is changing by the month. “We want to make sure we hit our deadlines when we’re promising our customers deliveries,” said Stien. Because things change quickly, months matter. Canada is an important market for Rosenbauer so the company has adapted and prioritized as needed through the uncertainty. Uncertainty hasn’t halted innovation, which Strunk points to as the biggest thing happening at Rosenbauer. The increased ties with their tech driven parent in Austria and strong dealer partnerships help bring unique, functional innovations to the market, he said. A European parent doesn’t mean a European child. “They realize the North American market is truly unique in comparison to Europe,” said Stien. “It’s a big part of their success.” SAFETEK PROFIRE, HUB FIRE ENGINES

Skilled labour remains the constraint, and Safetek president Wayne Stevens said the shortage is diverse across roles. “If we know what the rules of the game are, we can plan accordingly. The biggest challenge for us right now is the uncertainty. The goal posts keep moving.” And they keep moving in a game that shows no signs of slowing down. Fleets are aging and communities keep growing. At Safetek, wildfire has become a new and significant business driver, said Stevens. What was once a western problem is now a Canadian one, and many municipalities are first-time wildland apparatus buyers. The costs of apparatus keep being driven up by tariffs on the source metals, but Stevens said diversifying supply chains isn’t simple. A European chassis

18 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

doesn’t have the same requirements set out in Canada for emissions and crash tests, so buying European is no quick fix. Simple or not, Stevens sees diversifying as an answer to the current supply chain and is looking at what can be purchased in Canada or Europe, with the lesson being there is risk in having a lot of your trading eggs in one basket. Emotions are riding higher in purchasing, he said. Places like Ontario are putting a stronger focus on buying locally. But, this doesn’t mean there aren’t competitive bid processes going on or that HUB doesn’t have to earn the business, said Stevens, who is confident they can compete with American counterparts at the

@fireincanada

PHOTO: SAFETEK EMERGENCY VEHICLES

In 1993, John Witt founded Safetek Emergency Vehicles as the exclusive Canadian dealer for Smeal against a backdrop of federal political drama: Brian Mulroney resigned, Kim Campbell became the first female prime minister, and then Jean Chrétien’s Liberals won a majority government in a massive upset for the Conservatives in which they went from 156 seats to two. In further drama, the Blue Jays won the World Series and the Habs won the Stanley Cup, making it quite the year for Canada. Fast forward to 2026, post Safetek’s acquisition of Profire Emergency in 2009 and then HUB Fire Engines, its foray into manufacturing, in 2023, and the political climate is no less sassy. This time, the drama is due South and Safetek’s president Wayne Stevens captured the business sentiment succinctly:

table. The truck delivery is just the start of a 20-year relationship with the customer, and strong after sales support and service is all part of the story. But, in line with the challenges his counterparts face, building a factory “is the easy part.” Skilled labour remains the constraint. That labour shortage is diverse, said Stevens. The scope of skills includes electricians, fabricators, painters, plumbers, engineers, and supply chain staff. The government at all levels needs to prioritize investment and awareness of skilled trades, he said. The challenges are clear — but so is Safetek’s strategy to address them. Because it’s not just about building more trucks; it’s about growing capacity without compromising quality. People, engineering and systems all need to grow together. Stevens is very keen on advanced manufacturing practices like 3D modelling, CNC machining and laser-cut bodies that improve the overall finished quality. The leadership team had an upcoming visit to the nearby Boeing plant at the time of writing to gain insights into how they are rolling a plane out of their plant roughly every 60 to 90 days. Modus, HUB’s pre-engineered line, launched last year with tankers. Pre-engineered or stock trucks have always been common buys for small and midsize departments, said Stevens, but Safetek has big departments buying them now too. Almost all of the wildland trucks are pre-engineered and out west they are selling like lemonade in a summer swelter. Stevens sees strong long-term demand up against the tensions of skilled labour shortages, trade uncertainty, and the need to keep quality high while scaling up as Safetek’s journey through 2026.

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Metalfab lead times are hovering around 15 to 16 months for fully custom trucks. Meanwhile, in the last two-years, the company’s throughput has gone up 50 per cent.

METALFAB FIRE TRUCKS

20 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026 FFIC_Husky_Nov26_CSA.indd 1

luckier ducks in the labour department. This doesn’t mean any resting on the labour laurels. Metalfab works at attracting talent. They recruit directly out of high schools’ essential skills programs and relevant trade schools to bring young people in for hands-on training in working with aluminum, which isn’t necessarily the metal of choice in their education. Ten per cent of their workforce is under 25. They are vigilant in attending career fairs in all school districts of the province and building relationships with students throughout their post-secondary schooling in hopes that leads them back to Metalfab. “We’ve had really good success with that,” said Harvey.

@fireincanada 2026-09-23 10:05 AM

PHOTO: METALFAB

Metalfab has been custom building trucks in New Brunswick for over 50 years. TJ Harvey, president, has been there two years — and it’s been two years of transformation. Lead times for delivery are hovering around 15 to 16 months for fully custom trucks. In the last two-years, throughput has gone up 50 per cent. Harvey attributes this mainly to investments in people, then process, with physical infrastructure being the final piece in their vision for expansion. The company is in the manufacturing laden Saint John River Valley, which naturally fosters a number of welders and fabricators in the region, making them

Metalfab invested in an air quality upgrade this year that made 100 per cent of their facility climate controlled. Harvey said he received a lot of good feedback from staff on the floor, and attributes an increase in summer productivity to the cooler working environment. With a strong people program at its base, Metalfab is expanding on its already diverse range of products. They are building a mini pumper with a redesigned extruded aluminum body and a SAM module. The rescue style mini is expected to be a feature of the show circuit in 2027. They are also expanding their footprint in wildfire with a wildland truck built on an International CV chassis and Waterax rear mount pump. Metalfab isn’t known for their wildland trucks, but Harvey feels they can be competitive. Metalfab is dealing with the same trade scuffle as the rest of the industry. They have held pricing, for now, said Harvey. They have felt the impact notably in the price of parts which caused a significant overall increase in costs over the last 18 months. “We’re just happy to be doing what we’re doing. Happy to be part of the solution and to have the ability to work in this great industry building high-quality products for fire departments across the country and the northeastern United States. It’s certainly a cool business to be a part of.”

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Built to Last. Built Fast. Ferrara F-180 pumpers and aerials are custom apparatus engineered with modular design, allowing delivery in half the time or less.* • Provides flexible configurations to meet your department’s needs • Built on trusted Ferrara chassis platforms—now including the FC-94 on select models • Offers exceptional maneuverability, maximized storage and long-term durability To learn more, scan the code to locate your nearest Canadian Ferrara dealer. Pumper and aerial production slots available now.

By Marco Guidotti, Deputy Chief

FROM DIRTY TO CLEAN Is it time to rethink the fire station?

The building is guiding them through the process.

22 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

PHOTO: MARCO GUIDOTTI

We have changed how we operate on the fireground. We talk about gross decontamination, cleaning PPE, washing station wear, showering and keeping contaminated equipment away from clean areas. But have we changed the way we design our fire stations? On the fireground, we understand the concept of zones. We should apply that same philosophy to the fire station. The dirty or hot side should be where contaminated firefighters, PPE, tools and equipment first enter the building. The warm side should be the transition area where decontamination, changing and personal hygiene occur. The clean or cold side should be reserved for clean clothing, offices, training rooms, kitchens, living areas and other spaces where we want to minimize exposure to contaminants. This moves people and equipment from dirty to clean without allowing contamination to move backwards. Make the building part of the process. Firefighters are trained to perform specific actions after an incident, but station design can either support those actions or work against them. Imagine returning from a structure fire. Instead of walking directly from the apparatus floor into the locker room, firefighters follow a defined path. Contaminated PPE enters the dirty side. Gear is removed and processed through the appropriate cleaning and drying areas. Firefighters then move through the warm zone, where changing, showering and personal hygiene take place. Only after completing that process do they reach the clean side of the station. The building has now created a physical reminder. You don’t

take dirty gear into the clean gear room. The same principle can apply to station clothing. A firefighter returning from an incident enters the dirty side, removes contaminated station wear and places it directly into the laundry process. They then move through the shower area, change into clean clothing and continue toward the clean side. The firefighter isn’t simply being told what to do. The building is guiding them through the process. We shouldn’t have to rely on memory. The fire service uses checklists and procedures because we understand that good processes reduce mistakes. Why should contamination control be different? If we know contaminated PPE shouldn’t enter a clean locker room, why would we design a station where that is the easiest thing to do? If contaminated clothing needs to be washed, why shouldn’t the firefighter’s natural route take

@fireincanada

them directly past the laundry equipment? If clean bunker gear needs to remain clean, why not locate clean gear storage beyond the cleaning and drying process? Instead of relying entirely on memory, discipline and reminders, the station itself can reinforce the behavior we expect. The building becomes part of the safety system. WHAT ABOUT THE APPARATUS?

Firefighters aren’t the only source of contamination returning from an incident. The apparatus comes back dirty, too. A dedicated wash bay should be considered as part of the process. Rather than cleaning contaminated equipment beside other apparatus or allowing dirty tools and equipment to travel through the station, a dedicated wash area could be located at the dirty end of the building. With appropriate ventilation, drainage and other controls, equipment can be removed from the apparatus, cleaned and processed before being returned to service. The goal is to control the direction of movement: Dirty equipment enters. Cleaning happens. Clean equipment leaves. This isn’t about building bigger stations. Some departments may hear this and think, “That sounds great, but we don’t have the money or space for a new station.” This is an argument for smarter stations. Existing stations can be evaluated by asking a simple question: Where does contamination enter, and where does it go? Look at the path a firefighter takes after returning from a fire. Then ask: Does the layout actually support the process we expect firefighters to follow? We spend a tremendous amount of time training firefighters to do the right thing. Good station design can make that behaviour easier. Make the right thing easier. Make the wrong thing harder. And, when possible, make the wrong thing impossible. Instead of putting up another sign saying, “Do not take contaminated gear into the clean area,” design the station so the firefighter naturally passes through the decontamination process first. Instead of reminding firefighters to wash contaminated clothing, put the laundry equipment along the route. Instead of telling firefighters to keep clean gear clean, place clean gear beyond the cleaning and drying process. Instead of telling firefighters to clean equipment before returning it to service, provide a dedicated place to do it. Perhaps for tomorrow’s fire stations, we need to stop thinking of them as simply a place to park fire trucks. Perhaps it is time to think of it as a firefighter safety system. A system where the building reinforces our policies, training and expectations. The next time a fire department plans a new station or renovates an existing one, maybe the conversation should begin with: “Where does the contamination enter, and how are we going to control it?” We have spent years learning how to protect firefighters on the fireground. Maybe the next step is learning how to protect them when they come home from it. The safest fire station may not be the one with the most space. It may be the one that makes the safest process the easiest process to follow. Marco Guidotti is a deputy fire chief for Mapleton/Minto/Wellington North fire departments in Ontario. He is an industrial millwright by trade, and has been a volunteer firefighter for seven years and full-time for 10. He completed the Dalhousie Fire Service Leadership program and is currently enrolled in the Humber Fire Service Executive Management Certificate Program.

November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 23 FFIC_AIRTECH_NOV26_JLR.indd 1

2026-09-29 3:03 PM

The delivery of this truck in 1927 marked the end of an era for Ingersoll fire fighting — the department’s last team of horses was sold the next month.

By Jacob Munro

History RESTORED The story behind Ingersoll’s 1927 apparatus

24 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

@fireincanada

PHOTO: JACOB MUNRO

The sweet smell of gas fills the air as Ingersoll Fire Services fire prevention officer Chris St. Clair turns the ignition and fires up the 99-year-old engine. Late summer sunlight brilliantly catches the apparatus’ real gold leaf trim and shiny red paint as St. Clair manoeuvres the meticulously restored truck out of his department’s bay — without power steering. “It’s a real head turner, eh?” he said with a little chuckle. “People see it out and they love it, and they say, ‘Holy cow, you have this in your station?’ Then you tell them the history and that its almost 100-years old.” Built in 1927 in nearby Tillsonburg, Ont., by the Lorne Tractor Company (which shuttered its doors in the 1930s due to the Great Depression), the Town of Ingersoll took delivery of this fire truck on March 7, 1927. It signalled the end of an era, as the department sold its last team of horses the very next month for $300. Affectionately called “The Lorne”, it was the town’s first ever motorized pumper and cost a cool $4,500, which works out to about $84,900 today, according to the Bank of

Canada’s inflation calculator. Underneath the stunning exterior, the truck sits on a Stewart Chassis built in Buffalo, N.Y., which were manufactured between 1912 and 1939. The apparatus is powered by a 500-cubic-inch Waukesha inline-6 engine with dual ignition and is equipped with a Bickle rotary pump. It also houses two chemical tanks that produced an early type of fire fighting foam, making it pretty advanced for its era. One thing it doesn’t have? A cab. “I’ve heard stories of this truck heading to a fire in downtown Woodstock in either January or February. This was the only truck running that morning. All the other trucks had froze up and broke down, so they sent a crew over in this,” said St. Clair. “I couldn’t imagine driving from here to Woodstock and back in January with that open cab. I’ve had this in the Santa Claus parade in December, and that’s cold.” After reliably serving the community for over 30 years, the apparatus was retired in 1958. With that, the truck entered an interlude period of its life. “It just sat in the station downtown. It never left the town’s possession, so it just sat there and sat there,” said Deke Young, a fire captain in Ingersoll. After the apparatus sat through this sedentary life for almost four decades, previous Ingersoll Fire Chief Darell Parker saw an opportunity to restore the apparatus to its former glory. “They started the fundraising committee [to restore the vehicle] in 1996, then started the restoration in 2000. I think it worked out to about $100,000 that they fundraised to put into this truck,” said St. Clair. Once restoration was underway in 2000, Stan Uher of Classic Coach Works in Blenheim, Ont., poured over 1,200 labour hours and 15 months of work into the vehicle. All the pin striping was painted by hand, and they used real 24k gold leaf for the titles and golden accents.

Revived from its mechanical grave, the truck is now a pride and joy of the community. The engine fires right up and the Ingersoll firefighters said the maintenance isn’t too bad. “You can hop in that thing and go. And it has power. When you drive that and hit first, second, third gear, you’re going 55,” said St. Clair, who said he enjoys driving the truck. “And this thing wants to go more. You can put it in fourth gear then stomp on it, and it goes ‘vrrrrrr.’” “She’d make ‘er. Not sure the response time would be good, but she’d make it there,” said Young when asked if the truck could respond to a call. “It’s a good old machine and she’s really nice. Not too many around like that.” Now, the old truck is kept safe from the elements inside Ingersoll’s fire truck bay when it’s not being taken out to car shows, attending community events, or wowing guests at local firefighters’ weddings. “Actually, 15 years ago today it was sitting right here for my wedding photos,” said St.

The silver beaver atop the fire engine’s bell is one of many small and meticulously crafted details on the truck. Clair as he gestured to the grassy field we were standing in just 100 metres from the Ingersoll fire hall. “That’s a funny coincidence.” With its gleaming silver bell that features

a beaver on top, the wood finished dash, the numerous small and stunning details, and the roar of its engine, it’s easy to see why the Ingersoll department and community have rallied around the truck. “The Lorne” also has several awards to its name. Hanging in the Ingersoll fire hall are wooden plaques recognizing the apparatus as Best Restored in 2002, Best Canadian Rig in 2005 and first place in the 1900-1934 Best Commercial category in 2005, all from car shows hosted by the St. Thomas Professional Firefighters Association. After we finished admiring the old vehicle, St. Clair returned the truck to its parking spot, tucked into a corner of the department’s truck bay. He hopes to build a separate building for the truck someday, but right now it looks at home next to the department’s modern pumper and rescue. “She’s going back to bed now and we’ll next wake her up for the Christmas parade,” said St. Clair with a smile.

November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 25 FFIC_ToolMountsCanada_August26_CSA.indd 1

2026-06-11 3:33 PM

MY TWO CENTS

By Corey Brooks, Captain, Comox Fire Rescue

Return on contribution

The fire service has always asked a lot from its people. In return, each of us should ask a lot from ourselves.

WHY OFFICERS MUST LEAD THE CONVERSATION

Officers carry a special responsibility because their return on contribution

26 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

is multiplied through the people, systems, and standards they influence. When officers set clear expectations, coach performance early, document progress, and connect daily work to department priorities, they help firefighters understand that contribution is intentional, visible, and tied directly to the department’s readiness and culture. Officers should be able to explain why training matters beyond checking a box. We should be able to show how pre-planning improves response, how mentorship supports retention, how after-action learning reduces repeated mistakes, and how prevention work protects citizens before they ever dial 911. Leadership is not only about command at an incident; it is also about proving that our everyday habits build a stronger organization. Firefighters do not need rank to create meaningful return on contribution. Their influence is earned through readiness, initiative, reliability, crew support, and the willingness to take ownership before being asked. A firefighter who knows the district, maintains fitness, asks good questions, looks after equipment, supports crew morale, and helps newer members learn is strengthening the crew before the next call ever comes in. That value shows up in safer operations, better teamwork, fewer preventable errors, and stronger public confidence. Owning our impact also means being honest about the areas where we are not contributing enough. That is not an attack on character; it is an opportunity to reset the standard and recommit to the mission.

Our communities invest in us through taxes, donations, political support, public trust, and patience when we ask for resources. In return, they deserve more than a promise that we will be there when something goes wrong. They deserve to know how we are working to prevent emergencies, reduce risk, improve response capability, and protect the long-term safety and quality of life in the community. That means telling our story with more than heroics. It means sharing meaningful outcomes: training completed, inspections performed, hydrants checked, smoke alarms installed, vulnerable residents reached, near misses reviewed, lessons learned, and operational improvements made. When we can show these results, we strengthen trust and make it easier for decision-makers to understand why the fire department is not just an expense. It is an investment in community resilience. A department that values contribution develops a healthier culture. People know what right looks like. Members understand that effort, preparation, teamwork, and accountability matter. Officers become coaches instead of titleholders. Firefighters become builders instead of passengers. Problems are addressed earlier because standards are clear and shared. This kind of culture does not happen by repeatedly asking better questions. For me, return on contribution is personal. At the end of a call, a training night, a committee meeting, or a season of leadership, I want to be able to say that my involvement made the department better in some measurable or meaningful way. Not every contribution is dramatic, but every sincere contribution matters. If officers and firefighters can clearly show their return on contribution, the department becomes stronger, the community becomes safer, and the badge means more. That is the standard we should be working toward every day. And that’s my two cents for this month. Until next time, friends. @fireincanada

PHOTO: COREY BROOKS

I have always believed that the fire service is built on contribution. We contribute when we answer the alarm, train after a long shift, mentor a new member, clean equipment no one else notices, and when we choose to leave the department better than we found it. But, contribution cannot simply be assumed because we wear the badge. We must be able to show it. That is why officers and firefighters need to understand the idea of return on contribution. It is not about reducing our work to numbers on a spreadsheet. It is about being able to explain, with honesty and confidence, how our time, training, leadership, decisions, and daily effort create value for the department, the municipality, and the people we serve. Showing up matters. In a volunteer, composite, paid-on-call, or career department, attendance is important because the community depends on us. Attendance alone is not the same as contribution. A firefighter can be present without being prepared. An officer can hold rank without building up their people. A department can look busy without becoming better. Return on contribution asks a deeper question: what changed because I was here? Did I improve readiness? Did I help someone become safer, sharper, or more confident? Did I reduce risk for the public? Did I solve a problem, strengthen a system, or add to the trust our community places in us?

Corey Brooks has 30 years in the fire service. He is currently working for Comox Fire Rescue as a platoon captain and is the lead instructor for the Comox Fire Training Centre.

By Jacob Munro

PIERCE EYES THE FUTURE Pierce’s $150 million investment in meeting future demand

One of the many soon-to-be Canadian apparatus being assembled at the company’s Appleton facilities on Sept. 10.

FORGING FLEXIBILITY

Improving safety, cleanliness, quality and speed are all Pierce’s stated goals with its new high-

28 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

flow line. But it can also be explained like this: innovation to achieve more production and flexibility. And the company is working quickly to achieve this. A fellow journalist remarked at how much had changed in the two years since he had last visited Pierce. Through the new line, Pierce is working to eliminate waste in its truck pipeline in order to maintain a constant flow while also retaining the ability to scale up and scale down production based on demand. Whenever a process is brought over from a different facility to be set up in the highflow line, the company works hard to find any efficiency they can. For chassis supervisor Eric Willes, this flexibility is up close and personal. He looks at the schedule every day and makes any adjustments that are needed to keep production flowing. He said this new approach is paying dividends as well. “Sixteen [trucks] go through per week now, which is already an improvement,” Willes said when asked how the new line has improved production capacity. “Twenty-eight per week is our goal.” The company is gradually moving everything into this facility. Chassis was just the beginning, and Straka and Kittuswamy said that final assembly is expected to be installed in the next business quarter. Currently, every apparatus is assembled on the high-flow line except for rescues and tillers. @fireincanada

PHOTO: PIERCE MANUFACTURING

As I strolled through the massive building that holds Pierce Manufacturing’s newand-still-being-assembled high-flow line on my recent media visit, the scale of this project came into sharp focus. Shiny red and black chassis move down one of the production lines, and a gleaming apparatus that looks about finished is driven off by an employee as Pierce’s Vijay Kittuswamy, senior director of engineering operations, and Shena Straka, director of aerial products, explain what this new facility means for Pierce’s operations. “The new high-flow line consolidates the assembly process and makes it more disciplined,” explained Kittuswamy, who helped lead the set-up of the McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, a fellow Oshkosh subsidiary, high-flow line in Tennessee before bringing his talents to Appleton, Wis. Housed in a building that is new to the company’s Appleton manufacturing campus, the high-flow production line is the crown jewel of Pierce’s multi-year, $150 million initiative to expand production capacity, improve quality, and most importantly, reduce fire apparatus lead times. That is the company’s mantra from the top down, and its employees have spent the last few years turning over every stone to find more efficiency.

DESTINED FOR CANADA

While walking through the ASY facility, where individual components are brought together and assembled into fully fledged apparatus, Pierce’s connection to its northern neighbours was on full display. “Notice anything?” said Dan Meyer, vice president of sales, with a grin as I scanned around me but not up at the rafters. “Whenever a bay is working on an apparatus for Canada, the crews throw the flag up.” I spied two Canadian flags up in the rafters, plus a couple more painted onto the grilles of trucks further into the facility. With the Canada-US trade spat constantly evolving, those at Pierce said it’s something they’re taking day by day. CEO Marty Bass expressed his hope that it will soon be in the past. INNOVATING THE BASICS

Innovation was also apparent at Pierce’s IPP facility, an older piece of the company’s manufacturing program where metal gets bent into shape and cabs are welded together. Plant manager Phil Brown was happy to take the group for a tour of the hardworking facility. Pierce has added two large laser cutting machines to this facility: a Penta 30K laser and a Cutlite Penta Fiber Plus Bevel 30 kW laser. The Penta 30K, one of only two in the U.S., can cut steel up to two inches thick and bevel the edges, eliminating the need for manual sanding. “It helps with efficiency and has really opened up capacity to move [steel and aluminum] plates through quicker,” said Brown. “It makes the employees’ jobs easier. They don’t have to clean the parts after so they can get out the door quicker.” Other examples of investment into the IPP facility include a Schroeder folding machine that forms large aluminum and steel parts, as well as two press brakes that achieve higher consistency thanks to 3D programming. Additional aluminum laser cutters will be added later this year as well. The facility also makes many of the parts used in Pierce fire apparatus. The company is working to ship complete parts kits to final assembly so workers have everything they need to build each vehicle – another area where the company has extracted efficiency. STOCK AND BUILD MY PIERCE PROGRAMS

Back in the Pierce boardroom after logging what felt like a 10,000step morning, Carley Reiter, senior sales manager, and Nick Peppler, “Build My Pierce” manager, explained the company’s stock and Build My Pierce programs that are ideal for municipalities and agencies that don’t require completely custom vehicles. Stock customers have access to immediate or near-term delivery, said Reiter. “We’re seeing strong demand for stock rigs right now,” said Reiter, noting that their midmount aerials, PUC pumpers, side control body configurations and 107-foot single-axle aerials are particularly in demand. Build My Pierce slots in above stock on the customization scale, but not by much. Basically, customers have their pick from a variety of company models and can then customize from there. Lead times for a Build My Pierce vehicle ranges from a year to a year and a half, much lower than the average four year wait it takes for a custom-made to be delivered. Pierce’s pursuit of innovation and shorter lead times is clear. The additions and construction of the high-flow line are designed to translate to more apparatus driving over the 49th parallel — and quickly.

November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 29 FFIC_Haix_Nov26_CSA.indd 1

2026-09-28 1:19 PM

TECH TALK

Chris Dennis spent 23 years as the chief mechanical officer for Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service. Chris retired in March 2025 and is now the operations manager for BKC Inc. Mobile Emergency Vehicle Repair in Barrie, Ont

By Chris Dennis, Operations Manager

OVER-engineering

lack dedicated custom chassis builders, and aerial devices remain limited to the U.S. and Europe. Furthermore, while raw materials may originate in Canada, many finished parts are manufactured in the U.S. or overseas. This brings me to the core issue: technology and over-engineering. Having worked in fire apparatus repair for over 30 years and as a technician for over 40 years, I believe in building what works and keeping it simple. Today’s apparatus are often overengineered. Many departments form purchasing committees of talented firefighters, chiefs, and mechanics, but they often lack insight into the longterm maintenance impact of advanced proprietary technology. While builders feature advanced engineering, ongoing support, service, and parts generate significant longterm costs. When choosing a vendor, consider these critical questions. Warranty and service response: How quickly can a technician respond on-site? If the truck must go to a shop hours away, your department absorbs the transport and staffing costs. Proprietary versus off-the-shelf parts: Many custom builders rely on proprietary components sourced from low-bid third-party vendors. If that vendor goes out of business or discon-

30 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

Keeping builds simple, practical and serviceable ensures longterm reliability and fiscal responsibility

@fireincanada

PHOTO:A-CREDIT/GETTY IMAGES

As we get older, it is important to share our experience and mentor the upcoming generation. However, everyone is busy, and “next time” rarely arrives as the weeks slip by. With this edition being Fire Fighting in Canada’s annual apparatus themed issue, I wanted to share my thoughts on rig builds and offer insights to help your decision-making process. Given the current economic and trade landscape between Canada and the U.S., purchasing trucks has become increasingly complex. In my role at BKC Fire Inc. in Ontario, as an EVT and trainer, I see the current reality firsthand: a shortage of technicians, persistent parts supply issues, and continuously rising purchase prices. I frequently assist fire departments with the reports needed to justify new apparatus to their local council. Today’s procurement departments, auditors, and clerks actively scrutinize tax dollar spending and question why a truck today costs three to four times what it did 20 years ago. You must be prepared with clear answers. One consideration that has come into play today is comparing Americanbuilt versus Canadian-built trucks. Relying less on cross-border builds reduces tariff concerns. While Canada has apparatus and body builders, we

tinues a limited-run item (such as a custom windshield, instrument cluster, or aluminum expansion tank), you may face months of lead time and inflated replacement costs. Technical training access: Some major custom builders restrict EVT training exclusively to their dealers or direct fire department personnel, excluding independent and private sector repair technicians. Departments that own these custom rigs should be able to choose who repairs them— whether internal staff or outside shops. (Note that for vocational builds, service departments often offer training for a small fee). When custom builds utilize proprietary components instead of standard off-the-shelf parts, departments run a high risk of delayed repairs and substantial budget overruns as the rig ages. Keeping builds simple, practical, and serviceable ensures long-term reliability and fiscal responsibility. I recently spoke with the fire chief of a small volunteer department where budgets are exceptionally tight, making transparency and sole-sourcing key considerations. This raises an important question: why do we need to buy a custom fire truck? Is it tradition, or because it looks impressive? For years, departments successfully operated commercial chassis like International, Freightliner, and Mack. They transported crews safely and performed as designed. However, evolving NFPA guidelines have shifted the market, effectively positioning custom truck builders as the primary option to meet full compliance. Vocational and commercial options have become increasingly expensive to adapt, with limited stock often failing to meet all benchmarks. Does this stop you from considering

commercial options? No, but it requires careful legal and compliance evaluation. If a department moves from a non-compliant rig to a fully compliant custom rig, reverting to a non-compliant commercial build may create liability concerns. Simply stating that a commercial chassis is less expensive to purchase, easier to maintain, and has readily available parts may not protect you legally if an issue arises. Be sure to thoroughly research these factors before deciding. Custom builds are not inherently wrong, nor are vocational builds the only option. However, we must ask the right questions: Will the builder keep stock of these proprietary parts for 20 years? Simple components can and will fail. We need to build trucks that can survive a Canadian winter. Engineers and designers must work closely with technicians who understand the operating environment. For instance, placing key electrical components behind the front outrigger leaves them completely exposed to road salt, brine, and the elements, drastically shortening component lifespan. Furthermore, OEM wire looms sometimes fail to repel moisture, leaving technicians to trace open shorts through complex wiring for issues that should not occur. Selling specialized tracing tools is not the solution—building a sensible truck is. Custom builders charge a premium, and fire departments deserve a reliable, welldesigned product. Whether built in Canada or internationally, components come from various sources, so evaluate the full supply chain. Aim to build a simple, reliable truck—whether commercial, vocational, or custom. Avoid unnecessarily complex systems. While health and safety are paramount, traditional mechanical levers, direct gauges, and wired sensors are often far more reliable than computer-operated pump panels or complex electronic sensors. Don’t get me wrong, these advanced systems have their place, but perhaps not in the brineand-salt-filled regions of Canada. Having spent decades on the bench seeing what works and what fails, I believe sharing these practical lessons is essential for the future of our service. As was said over many issues of this fine magazine, I’ll say again as a retired chief mechanical officer of Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service in Ontario: “Rubber side down, my friends.”

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November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 31 FFIC_Kussmaul_Aiug25_CSA.indd 1 FFIC_Kussmaul_Sept25_CSA.indd

2025-06-13 10:11 8:18 AM 2025-07-23 AM

By Chris Davison-Vanderburg, Chief Training Officer

THE PROCESS OF COMMAND Preparing your people for high consequence choices

32 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

and perhaps even assign the specific tasks to be completed. First-in apparatus would initiate attack, second-in apparatus would establish water supply, third-in apparatus would establish RIT, etc. In one department that I worked for it even spelled out the individual actions, for example, “driver to get the ladders ready, backup firefighter to bring the fan to the front door.” These pre-planned actions can be helpful when the incident is routine and falls within scope of the document. New officers can learn and master the expectations and run on auto-pilot. The challenge with the prescribed process is that it teaches officers to memorize a script instead of thinking through the problem that they are faced with. When the script fits the situation, things work, but as soon as a variable gets introduced it can throw the officer off and they might freeze and not know what to do. Indecision will result in the incident getting worse. How then do we develop our officers? We need to develop incident commanders that can think on their feet and problem solve in real time. The limited face-to-face instructional time that we have with new officers should be used to provide a scaffolding system or process that can be applied to any given situation. The decision-making process that we teach isn’t something that is ground breaking or new. It has been taught long before I started in the fire service and has stood the test of time. What has evolved is our understanding of the details within each of the steps. The decision-making framework is essentially a four-step process that runs in a continuous loop: 1. Observe how the critical incident factors interplay with each other 2. Determine the level of acceptable risk 3. Decide on an overall strategy 4. Make tactical decisions to support the strategy @fireincanada

PHOTO: CHRIS DAVISON-VANDERBURG

On arrival at an emergency, officers need to quickly sizeup, observe and gather information, weigh the risks and make strategic and tactical decisions. Those decisions are made in a time-compressed, high-stress environment with an incomplete understanding of the details. They may also have life or death consequences attached to them. As you know, the incident command decision-making process is complex and highly situational. If you are responsible for getting people ready to be incident commanders, where do you even start to develop this skill? How do you take a person who might be a fantastic firefighter and task level master and teach them to make these high-consequence decisions? Certainly, putting the most experienced person that you can into these roles will help, but that isn’t always possible. Training plays a real role. Officer development is a cornerstone of your fire department’s training program. It needs to be prioritized and run as regularly as your recruit and driver training programs. I believe that we need to develop officers in a way that allows them to make appropriate strategic and tactical decisions when faced with a unique set of circumstances. This is a more complex training task than it appears and requires a systematic approach that can also be flexible enough to adapt to a given situation. I have learned and used two distinct methods of running command, each with their own merits: One, an SOG based or prescribed step by step process and two, a decision-making framework or scaffold. Playbooks and SOGs are great when the incident falls within the exact parameters identified in those documents. They can also help formalize some of the routine functions of your incident response. If your department has a standard resource deployment model, officers should know it and use it, but recognize the limitations. As an example of an SOG-based model for a house fire in an area serviced with hydrants, the SOG would dictate the actions of the first few fire apparatus

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This process has been documented in different ways by different training programs, but the essence of those four steps always seems to be present in some way, shape or form. I have been using and tweaking a visual graphic to help new officers understand the process. It works by starting on the outside and moving to the middle. Teaching and drilling some form of this model will allow officers to make sense of incident chaos and give them the scaffolding they need to make decisions. We will dive into the details of each of these at some other time. For now, let me provide an overview of the initial process and why it’s relevant. OBSERVE THE INTERPLAY OF CRITICAL FACTORS

I break them into five categories: • Information gathered • Construction and occupancy • Fire conditions/behaviour • Resources available • Occupants or life safety profile There are plenty of other models out there that provide greater detail. I try to keep it simple, but the specifics aren’t important for the point I would like to make here. It’s the interplay of the critical factors that is the most important concept to teach and is the foundation of the risk assessment and strategic and tactical decision making that follow. The size up and information

gathering job of the officer is a vital skill that needs to be developed. There is a lot of detail that we tend to cover and this takes days to unpack and a lifetime of study to truly master. An officer needs to immediately observe things such as fire conditions, building construction, occupancy or use of the building, weather impact, ventilation profile, location, and the life safety profile and then balance the risk that they are willing to take against the resources they have at their disposal. This complex decision-making task is compounded by the high-stress and time-compressed environment that we work within. I believe that what really needs to be conveyed is that it is the interplay of these factors that will dictate the level of risk and the selection of a strategy. Think of them as ingredients in a recipe with the outcome of the meal depending on the type and amounts of the ingredients. You can make a lot of different types of food with eggs, flour, water and baking soda. It really depends on how you use those ingredients and the amount that you have of each one. Change one small thing or add a new ingredient and the outcome of the recipe can be vastly different. It’s exactly the same thing with our critical factors. As an example, you can have a single-family home of Type V – wood frame construction, with fire on the main floor, with all occupants out of the building. If you have adequate water supply, equipment and staffing, this is an offensive attack every time. But how would it change if one of those items was different? Let’s say the fire is in the basement of a balloon frame house. Or perhaps your truck is the only one that will be on scene and backup is a long way away. Or what if this was in a rural area and you needed to set up a water shuttle operation? The IC might then decide that an aggressive interior attack isn’t worth the risk because the insurance company will be there on Monday with a bulldozer anyway. Remember, everybody was out, so there is minimal life safety risk. One slight change to the ingredients means that the recipe outcome is different. But now, take that new recipe and change another ingredient – someone is in a bedroom upstairs. Now the risk might be worth putting firefighters in the building! My preference is to lump the critical fireground factors into those five categories which I will expand on further in another article. But the primary concept to teach is that how those five categories exchange and interact with each other will dictate the level of risk and thus the strategy and supporting tactics of the operation. It’s a far cry from an SOG or prescribed system, but done well, it offers the officer the flexibility to deal with unique incidents but scaffolds their decision-making within a time-tested framework. The real challenge for training staff is to provide enough sets and reps that the skill gets practiced and rehearsed. A slick presentation or one-day officer training seminar isn’t enough time to practice this skill. It requires that you put candidates in front of all sorts of scenarios so that they can embed the four steps into their routine. If your department makes this investment, then you will have officers that can make the right decisions in complex and highly situational emergencies. Chris Davison-Vanderburg has served in the fire service for over 20 years. He has worked in both rural and urban fire departments, working his way through various firefighter, officer, and training positions. He has worked in B.C. and Ontario and has held various instructional and executive roles over the years. Currently, Chris works as the chief training officer in Clarington, Ont., and sits on the executive for the Ontario Training Officers Association. Chris is known for his passion and advocacy for training, specifically for officer development. He can be reached at chrisdvanderburg@gmail.com.

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@fireincanada 2026-10-02 8:57 AM

DIRECTORY & SHOWCASE 2027 FIREFightingInCanada.com

APPARATUSDIRECTORY AN ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF MANUFACTURERS, SUPPLIERS AND DEALERS OF APPARATUS AND COMPONENTS TO THE CANADIAN FIRE SERVICE.

1200 DEGREES ONTARIO

356 Bishopsgate Road Burford ON N0E 1A0 Tel: 800-254-2049 Toll free: 800-254-2049 Company Email: jclimie@1200-degrees.com Web: www.1200-degrees.com Ontario’s exclusive E-ONE fire apparatus dealer, 1200 Degrees Ontario provides new and used apparatus sales, refurbishments, accident repair, maintenance, and parts support for all makes and models across the province. We represent leading fire equipment manufacturers including Holmatro Extrication/Shoring Tools, Dräger SCBA and Gas Detection, FLIR Thermal Imaging Cameras, Niedner Hose, F500 Encapsulator, Blowhard Fans, Haix Boots, Bridgehill Fire Blankets, and FireDex PPE. We are the Akron Brass master dealer for Ontario, the Hale pump factory-authorized service team, DriveOn authorized, and more. 1200 Degrees Ontario is an industry leader in Annual NFPA testing, servicing all makes and models with expert mobile and in-shop service. Following a $6 million investment, 1200 Degrees Ontario now operates from a new, purpose-built facility at 356 Bishopsgate Road, Burford (Brant County), expanding service capacity, parts inventory, and sales to support fire departments across Ontario.

AIR VACUUM CORPORATION

PO Box 517 Dover NH 03821 Tel: 603-743-4332 Toll free: 800-540-7264 Fax: 603-743-3111 Company Email: sales@airvacuumcorporation.com Web: www.airvac911.com Breathe Clean Air with AIRVAC 911® Air Vacuum Corp.’s AIRVAC 911 engine exhaust removal system protects 100 percent of an apparatus bay area by automatically monitoring the station 24/7 to constantly remove hazardous contaminants. No hoses, vehicle attachments or tail pipe connections are required. The system’s 360-degree airflow design continuously eliminates exhaust dead spots and captures toxins. The four-stage filtration system features chemically treated carbon and activated carbon filters. A MERV-16-rated filter removes contaminant particles that are as small as 0.3 microns. No building modifications, ducting or external exhaust fans are required, and there’s no interference with daily operations or response time. sales@airvacuumcorporation.com Phone 603-743-4332 Toll Free 1-800-540-7264 Fax 603-743-3111 www.airvac911.com

BATTLESHIELD INDUSTRIES LIMITED

333 Corduroy Road Vars ON K0A 3H0 Tel: 613-443-1911 Toll free: 855-539-1911 Web: www.battleshield.ca Battleshield Industries Limited is proud Canadian, family-owned and operated manufacturer, providing solutions for those who serve and protect and has become a leader in the industry. Battleshield specializes in manufacturing pumpers, tankers, pumper tankers, pumper rescues, rescue units and refurbishments of any apparatus. It is equipped to provide on-site laser cutting and bending services to meet customers’ individual needs. It is a onestop shop for part sales, annual mobile pump testing, repairs, and preventative maintenance of all makes and models. Established in 2012 by a dedicated firefighter and with its highly specialized technicians (310T, 310S, EVT, CWB, CAN/ULC, pump and electrical technicians), fulltime engineers, and 24/7 emergency service, you can trust Battleshield to provide the vehicles and support you need to perform your duties safely and effectively. Serving All of Eastern Canada

AIR TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CANADA INC.

251 Queen St. S., Ste. 512 Mississauga ON L5M 1L7 Tel: 905-826-6682 Toll free: 866-735-1480 Fax: 866-511-6904 Company Email: info@airmation.ca Web: www.airmation.ca Air Technology Solutions is dedicated to our Clients, offering updated, timely, full service Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) solutions. Air quality concerns are mitigated using a unique combination of professional indoor air quality assessment coupled with solutions. Off the shelf or customized site specific air cleaning equipment is available to resolve IAQ issues. Our technical experts review client requirements and budgetary availability. The finest appropriate air cleaning systems are provided. Air Technology Solutions is a leader in Diesel Exhaust Remediation and is the ONLY environmental tested and proven filtration system to exceed standards: NFPA, NIOSH, OSHA and ASHRAE. Building and facility managers, business owners, contractors, architects, and engineers have been working with Air Technology Solutions since 1986 to resolve IAQ needs. Employee and personnel safety and health are key issues. Breathing safe air in the workplace is of utmost importance. We provide global customized solutions to control contaminants, pollutants and odours in your facility. We look forward to servicing your requirements.

ARÉO-FEU

5205, J.-Armand Bombardier Longueuil QC J3Z 1G4 Tel: 450-651-2240 Toll free: 800-469-1963 Fax: 450-651-1970 Company Email: info@areo-feu.com Web: www.areo-feu.com/en Aréo-Feu – Where Equipment Matches Courage For more than 60 years, three generations of knowledge have succeeded to make Aréo-Feu the number one reference for the supply and service of equipment in the fire industry, in public safety or in civil protection. Our favourable purchasing power allows us to maintain an important inventory of products that have state-of-the-art technology. Committed to building very good business relationships with our partners, we encourage the constant update and development of our team’s expertise. Our daily goal is the complete satisfaction of our customers! Multiple suppliers with whom we have a durable relationship for the benefit of our customers. Official distributor of: MSA, Innotex, Rosenbauer, Genesis Rescue Systems, Meiko, Coltri, Streamlight, Res-Q-Jack, Petzl, Husky, Solberg, Protek, Elkhart Brass, TechTrade, CET Fire pump, OHD, Harrington Inc., Kochek CO. Inc, Rescom, Lakeland, Tohatsu, Waterous, etc.

36 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

BEARSPAW PROTECTAPUMP SEPARATORS

927 Goldstream Ave Victoria British Columbia V9B 2Y2 Tel: 778-404-7385 Company Email: info@protectapump.com Web: protectapump.com Since 2016, BearsPaw SEPARATORS® have empowered rural firefighters to draft anywhere, even in shallow & ugly water. Our patented technology separates water from debris at the source, allowing you to ignore normal drafting rules. Draft from as low as 6 inches without cavitation, vortex, or pump-destroying grit. Get consistent, clean flow from sources you used to bypass. Finally shallow water works! Info, Testimonials, & Quotes: ProtectaPump.com

@fireincanada

APPARATUSSHOWCASE 125’ AERIAL

MINI-PUMPER

Collingwood welcomed a Rosenbauer 125’ aerial that was assembled on a Commander 6000 cab, is powered by a Cummins X15 565 HP engine and has a Rosenbauer EXT aluminum body. The truck is outfitted with a Hale QMax-XS pump, Class 1 TPG+ and ITLF gauges, FoamPro 2001, 300 G water tank, Whelen M-Series lights, TFT monitor and Rosenbauer’s intuitive Smart Aerial controls. Department: Collingwood Fire Department, Ontario

Built on a Ford F-550 cab ideal for Argyle’s rural environment, this mini-pumper features a Hale DSD pump, FRC PumpBoss governor and Class 1 gauges, a Rosenbauer FX 1/8” aluminum body with ROM doors, 300 G water tank, enclosed ladder storage and Whelen warning and scene lights. Department: Argyle Fire Department, Ontario

CITY VIEW SPECIALTY VEHICLES AND ROSENBAUER

November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 37 FFIC_MetalFab_August26_CSA.indd 1

2026-06-16 1:45 PM

APPARATUSDIRECTORY

CANADIAN SAFETY EQUIPMENT INC.

#3 – 2865 Argentia Rd. Mississauga ON L5N 8G6 Tel: 905-826-2740 Toll free: 800-265-0182 Fax: 905-272-1866 Company Email: info@cdnsafety.com Web: www.cdnsafety.com We supply Industrial and Fire SCBA’s, SCBA Decon Washer, Thermal Cameras, CAF Systems, Fall Protection, Bunker Gear, Fire and Rescue and Ballistic helmets, Fire Hose, Communications Equipment, Nozzles, Fittings, Hazmat Suits, Ventilation Fans, Gas Detectors, Confined Space Rescue Equipment, Water and Ice Rescue equipment, Industrial and Municipal Safety and Lone Worker Protection systems.

CET FIRE PUMPS MFG LTD

2 Industrielle St Pierreville QC J0G1J0 Tel: 450-568-2719 Toll free: 888-844-2285 Fax: 450-568-2613 Company Email: sthibault@fire-pump.com Web: www.fire-pump.com We are a portable fire pumps, firefighting skid unit, foam trailer, brush truck and mini-pumpers manufacturer

CITY VIEW SPECIALTY VEHICLES

5945 Ambler Dr. Mississauga ON L4W 2K2 Tel: 416-249-4500 Toll free: 866-739-3956 Fax: 416-614-8740 Company Email: inquiries@cityviewvehicles.com Web: cityviewvehicles.com Founded in 1996, City View Specialty vehicles serves the private and public sectors across Canada and the US, with a core focus on delivering innovative vehicle solutions for municipalities and government agencies. Since our inception, we have expanded and diversified our products and services to meet our customers’ evolving and specialized needs. City View continues to be the leading provider of specialty vehicles in Eastern Canada and offers the widest array of products ranging from fire trucks, refuse trucks, transit buses, hydro-vacs, and street sweepers in Canada.

COMMERCIAL EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

591 Chester Road Delta BC V3M 6G7 Tel: 877-443-2626 Toll free: 800-665-6126 Company Email: info@comemerg.ca Web: www.comemerg.ca Commercial Emergency Equipment is Canada’s expert supplier of emergency equipment. Commercial is the authorized dealer for Pierce, BME Fire Trucks, MAXIMETAL, Frontline Communications, and Oshkosh Airport Products apparatus from Ontario to BC including all Canadian Territories. Commercial is also the manufacturer of the FireLine Quick Attack series of Vehicles. With a 75-year history, 350+ employees across Canada in six main branches, and 270,000+ sq. ft. of combined production and service space, Commercial has an unmatched parts, service, training, testing, and support network for emergency apparatus. Commercial provides its customers access to industry-leading service and support including mobile EVT’s, pump testing, annual inspections and maintenance, a significant stock of on-theshelf parts, 24/7 emergency service and more. We warehouse an extensive inventory of OEM and aftermarket parts, tools, and equipment ensuring quick delivery and reduced downtime to our customers.

CSE INCENDIE ET SÉCURITÉ INC.

5651 Chemin St-Francois St. Laurent QC H4S 1W6 Tel: 514-737-2280 Toll free: 866-737-2280 Fax: 514-737-2751 Company Email: info@cseis.com Web: www.cseis.com We supply Industrial and Fire, SCBA’S, SCBA Decon Washers, Gear Extractors and Dryers, Thermal Cameras, CAF Systems, Fall Protection, Bunker Gear, Fire, Rescue and Ballistic Helmets, Fire Hose, Communications Equipment, Nozzles, Fittings, Hazmat Suits, Ventilation Fans, Gas Detectors, Confined Space Rescue Equipment, High Angle Rescue Equipment, Ice and Water rescue equipment, Boots and Gloves. Everything for Fire Fighting, EMS, Law Enforcement, Industrial and Municipal Safety and Lone Worker Protection Systems.

38 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

DARLEY

325 Spring Lake Drive, Itasca IL 60143 Tel: 630-735-3500 Toll free: 800-323-0244 Company Email: jimdarley@darley.com Web: www.darley.com You serve others. We serve you.™ Founded in 1908, Darley provides the highest quality pump, technology, and equipment solutions for first responders around the world. With origins in Midwest manufacturing, Darley offers a complete line of unmanned systems, immersive training technology, equipment and pumps. More information is available at www.darley.com.

DEPENDABLE EMERGENCY VEHICLES

250 Clarence Street Brampton ON L6W 1T4 Tel: 906-453-3473 Company Email: pino@dependable.ca Web: dependableemergencyvehicles.ca/ Designed to Perform, Built to Last At Dependable Emergency Vehicles, we build fire trucks that exceed expectations. Our innovative designs and custom solutions ensure unmatched performance and durability, because when every second counts, reliability matters. From our extensive In-Stock lineup, to completely custom builds. We are equipped to help your organization’s fleet match the highest levels of service that your members offer. Contact us today to discuss your next Fire Apparatus.

DRAEGER SAFETY CANADA LTD.

2425 Skymark Ave., Unit 1 Mississauga ON L4W 4Y6 Tel: 905-212-6600 Toll free: 877-372-4371 Fax: 905-212-6602 Company Email: susan.yu@draeger.com Web: draeger.com/en-us_ca/Safety/Firefighting With over 130 years of experience, Dräger is a trusted leader in firefighting safety equipment. Our portfolio includes SCBA, live fire training systems, fixed and mobile gas detectors, flame detectors, thermal imaging cameras, and drugs and alcohol testing equipment—all designed to keep first responders safe in the most challenging environments. Contact us at +1 877-372-4371 or visit draeger.com to learn more. Our product services and technical training courses are available year-round at our Mississauga, Ontario, and Edmonton, Alberta locations. Schedule your SCBA and gas detector service today, and experience the quality and reliability that has been safeguarding firefighters worldwide for generations. @fireincanada

APPARATUSSHOWCASE PIERCE® 100’ AERIAL ASCENDANT® TOWER

PIERCE® ENFORCER™ VOLTERRA™ PUMPER

Vancouver’s new 100-ft aerial tower is built on a Pierce® Enforcer™ custom chassis and powered by a 510 HP PACCAR MX-13 producing 1,850 lb-ft of torque. It is equipped with a Waterous CMU 2,000 GPM two-stage pump and 300 USG tank, with Oshkosh TAK-4® independent front and rear suspension, and rear steering via Pierce TAK-4 T3™ Tight Turning Technology. Department: Vancouver Fire Department, British Columbia

This pumper features a parallel-electric Pierce® EMIVT with a 700 VDC highvoltage battery system. Hamilton’s newest apparatus is also fitted with a Waterous CSU 1,500 GPM pump, 750 USG water tank, Pierce Husky™ 3 foam system and a 360 HP Cummins B6.7 backup engine. Department: Hamilton Fire Department, Ontario

OSHKOSH AIRPORT PRODUCTS STRIKER® 6X6 ARFF VEHICLE

OSHKOSH AIRPORT PRODUCTS STRIKER® 4X4 ARFF VEHICLE

Edmonton International Airport’s new Oshkosh Striker® 6x6 is powered by a 670 HP Scania DC16 16.4L engine producing 1,950 lb-ft of torque. It carries 11,350 L of water, 1,360 L of AFFF and 550 lb. of dry chemical with a Waterous CRQB 2,000 GPM pump. Other features include a 65’ Snozzle® HRET and adjustable-height low-attack bumper turret. Department: Edmonton International Airport, Alberta

This new Oshkosh Striker® 4x4 powered by a 670 HP Scania DC16 V8 and equipped with a Waterous CRQB 2,000 GPM pump now calls Canadian Forces base Borden home. The apparatus carries 6,000 L of water and 275 L of foam. Other features include a high-volume roof turret and 10 kW Harrison generator. Department: Department of National Defence - CFB Borden, Ontario

BME FIRE TRUCKS XTREME TACTICAL TENDER

FIRELINE QUICK ATTACK PRO TYPE 5

Saugeen First Nation Fire Department expanded their lineup of apparatus with a new BME Xtreme tactical tender, built on an International HV507 four-door 4x4 chassis and powered by a 360 HP Cummins L9. This tender carries 1,250 USG of water and includes a Darley JMP 500 GPM pump and FoamPro 1601 directinjection foam system with a 30 G foam cell. Department: Saugeen First Nation Fire Department, Ontario

Assembled on a Ford F-450 chassis, this new FireLine Quick Attack Pro Type 5 wildland unit features a CET 2.5” pump, 400 USG tank, 150’ electric-return booster reel, and 78.8 cu. ft. of aluminum compartment storage. Added capabilities include a heavy-duty front bumper, Akron bumper monitor, WARN 16,500 lb winch, and full lighting package. Department: Mathias Colomb Cree Nation Fire Department, Manitoba

MAXIMETAL MAXISABER PUMPER

PIERCE® HDR COMBINATION RESCUE

Shawanaga First Nation Fire Department’s new MAXIMETAL MaxiSaber pumper rides on a Pierce® Saber® FR 7010 chassis and is driven by a 380 HP Cummins L9 engine. The truck is also outfitted with a Waterous 1,500 GPM pump, 1,000 USG tank, Pierce Husky™ 3 foam system, PARAGON optimized pumphouse configuration, and a FireTech by HiViz scene light package. Department: Shawanaga First Nation Fire Department, Ontario

Delivered to Winnipeg, this new Pierce® HDR combination rescue is built on a Freightliner M2-106 chassis and powered by a 360 HP Cummins B6.7 engine. It is fitted with a 20’ all-aluminum combination walk-in/walk-around heavy-duty rescue body with 78.25” interior height, an Incinolet onboard toilet, a two-door flat-roof cab and 16,000-lb front and 23,000-lb rear axle ratings. Department: Winnipeg Fire Department, Manitoba

COMMERCIAL EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 39

APPARATUSDIRECTORY

E-ONE

1601 S.W. 37th Ave., Ocala FL 34474 Tel: 352-237-1122 Fax: 352-237-1151 Company Email: info@e-one.com Web: www.e-one.com E-ONE. STRENGTH THROUGH EXCELLENCE. E-ONE, a full spectrum builder of fire apparatus, is the pioneer and recognized leader in extruded aluminum and stainless-steel construction. With their advanced engineering, fully integrated manufacturing and highly engaged dealer network, the proud customer focused E-ONE team delivers strength through excellence. E-ONE is recognized in the fire industry as the cutting-edge builder of: • Aerial ladders and platforms • Custom and commercial pumpers and tankers • Rescues of all sizes • Industrial trucks • Aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles 50 YEARS OF INNOVATION: Founded in 1974, E-ONE celebrated a half century of designing and manufacturing fire apparatus in 2024. E-ONE introduced the first modular extruded aluminum fire truck body, launching the company’s reputation in the fire industry for pioneering innovation, still evidenced 50 years later in the fire apparatus it produces for fire departments around the world. From its first aerial in 1981 and platform in 1983 to the DND Air Transportable ARFF in 2020 and the all-electric Vector fire truck in 2022, E-ONE continues to lead the way with advanced engineering and innovative design. E-ONE’S SUPERIOR AERIAL DNA: The DNA of E-ONE aerials consists of a unique design that gives E-ONE the advantage of stability and brute strength. The welded extruded aluminum construction will never rust or need repainting, resulting in a lower cost of ownership. Key design features include a 2.5 to 1 structural safety factor, crisscross under-slung jacks, integral torque box chassis, and the strongest cab in the industry. SAFEST CAB IN THE INDUSTRY: Keep your crew safe with the cab that withstands over 5 times the static roof load and over twice the frontal impact required by NFPA 1901. The structural roll cage type design provides maximum protection and comfort for firefighters. INTEGRAL TORQUE BOX CHASSIS: The integral torque box chassis is a unique design that provides a solid foundation and low center of gravity for the truck. This provides outstanding stability and strength, with the same 2.5 to 1 structural safety factor as the aerial device. For further information on E-ONE apparatus or to find an E-ONE dealer near you, visit e-one.com Darch Fire (Member of 1200 Degrees) 9-402 Harmony Road, Ayr, Ontario N0B 1E0 800-254-2049 Territory: Ontario SAFETEK EMERGENCY VEHICLES 2122 Peardonville Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6J8 Territories: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, British Columbia, Northwest Territories www.firetrucks.ca Keewatin Truck Service 610 Keewatin St., Winnipeg, MB R2X 2R9 Phone 204-633-2700 Territory: Manitoba

FERRARA FIRE APPARATUS, INC.

27855 James Chapel Rd., PO Box 249 Holden LA 70744 Tel: 225-567-7100 Toll free: 800-443-9006 Fax: 225-567-7675 Company Email: info@ferrarafire.com Web: www.ferrarafire.com Take Command with Ferrara Ferrara Fire Apparatus is a premier manufacturer of fire trucks and emergency response vehicles offering a full line of pumpers, aerials, industrial, wildland, and rescue apparatus. Working handson with both municipal and industrial fire departments, the Ferrara team thrives on understanding response needs to custom design fire apparatus that will stand the test of time. Taking crew safety and apparatus durability very seriously, Ferrara uses a fine-tuned construction process and heavy-duty materials to build the strongest fire trucks in the industry. We offer a custom chassis product line that exceeds minimum requirements, making them the safest available. With its extra-heavy-duty construction, you can take command with Ferrara. For more information on Ferrara apparatus or to find a Ferrara dealer near you, visit ferrarafire. com

HUB FIRE ENGINES

Dependable Emergency Vehicles 250 Clarence Street #2 Brampton, ON L6W 1T4 INFO@DEPENDABLEEMERGENCYVEHICLES.CA 905-453-3473

7202 SE International Ct. Bartlesville OK 74006 Tel: 918-798-4415 Toll free: 800-260-9950 Fax: 918-333-2004 Company Email: jay@huskyportable.com Web: www.huskyportable.com Husky Portable Containment offers robust solutions for firefighting and environmental safety products. Our product line features portable water tanks, secondary containment berms, durable bladder tanks, and efficient wash bays, all designed to enhance safety and efficiency. Ideal for managing water and liquid containment needs, Husky’s high-quality, portable solutions ensure reliability in critical situations, providing essential support for both environmental and emergency response operations.

HOLMATRO, INC.

505 McCormick Dr. Glen Burnie MD 21061 Tel: 410-768-9662 Fax: 410-768-4878 Company Email: info-usa@holmatro.com Web: www.holmatro.com Holmatro is the world’s leading rescue equipment supplier. Our equipment is used by first responders around the world in rescue, special tactics and industrial applications. With two high-tech production plants in North America and Netherlands, we maintain the strictest quality, safety and performance standards in the market. At Holmatro, we are dedicated to developing innovative tools using leading technology. Our Pentheon Series is the newest line of battery powered equipment that offers users the unrestrained performance, unparalleled speed and ultimate control you have never experienced before. And with battery management made easy, you are always rescue ready! To see our newest products, schedule a demo and request more information, visit holmatro. com. You can count on us, for life.

40 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

3175 McCallum Rd. Abbotsford BC V2S 7W5 Tel: 604-859-3124 Toll free: 888-611-2896 Fax: 604-859-5821 Company Email: office@hubfire.com Web: hubfire.com Our ongoing mission is to build quality and drive trust. Since 1959, our commitment to delivering the highest performing fire-rescue vehicles in Canada is guided by our pursuit of firefighter safety and efficiency. Our renowned customercentric focus is provided through an experienced and dedicated team of in-house designers, fabricators, and finishers. Everything that bears the Hub name is purpose-built to achieve the highest possible standards and deliver maximum lifecycle value.

HUSKY PORTABLE CONTAINMENT

INDUSTRIES LAFLEUR INC.

2359 Fiset Blvd Sorel-Tracy QC J3P 5K2 Tel: 450-743-3918 Fax: 450-743-3906 Company Email: pierrethibault@industrieslafleur. com Web: www.industrieslafleur.com Fire rescue trucks (walk-in and non walk-in rescue trucks) Custom truck bodies High quality since 1969 ISO 9001 CWB 47.1 & 47.2

@fireincanada

APPARATUSSHOWCASE MAXIMETAL MAXISABER PUMPER

PIERCE® HEAVY DUTY RESCUE PUMPER

Manufactured on a Pierce® Saber® FR 7010 chassis and powered by a 380 HP Cummins L9 engine, Langley Fire’s new MAXIMETAL MaxiSaber pumper is also equipped with a Waterous 1,750 GPM pump, 1,000 USG water tank, and Pierce Husky™ 3 foam system. Department: Township of Langley Fire Department, British Columbia

Built on a Pierce® Enforcer™ custom chassis, Collingwood Fire Department’s new heavy duty rescue pumper is powered by a 400 HP Cummins L9 producing 1,250 lb-ft of torque. It is outfitted with a Waterous CX 1,250 GPM pump, 750 USG tank, and Pierce Husky™ 3 foam system. Department: Collingwood Fire Department, Ontario

FIRELINE QUICK ATTACK PRO TYPE 5

MAXIMETAL MAXISABER PARAGON PUMPER

Weyburn Fire Department’s FireLine Quick Attack Pro Type 5 sits on a Ford F-450 crew cab 4x4 chassis. The truck features a CET 2.5” pump, 400 USG water tank, integral 10 G foam cell, Scotty around-the-pump foam system and an aluminum deck. Department: Weyburn Fire Department, Saskatchewan

Assembled on a Pierce® Saber® FR 6010 chassis and powered by a 380 HP Cummins L9 engine, this MAXIMETAL MaxiSaber Paragon pumper is the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service’s newest fleet addition. It carries 1,000 USG of water, is equipped with a Hale 1,500 GPM pump, Pierce Husky™ 3 foam system and a Paragon optimized pumphouse configuration. Department: County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service, Alberta

OSHKOSH AIRPORT PRODUCTS STRIKER® 6X6 ARFF VEHICLE

MAXIMETAL MINI PUMPER

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited’s new Oshkosh Striker® 6x6 is powered by a 670 HP Scania DC16 15.9L engine producing 1,950 lb-ft of torque. It carries 12,000 L of water, 1,680 L of foam concentrate and 550 lb. of dry chemical, with a Waterous CRQB 2,000 GPM pump. Other features include a 50’ Snozzle® HRET, high-volume low-attack bumper turret, and FLIR 360-degree camera system. Department: Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Ontario

White Rock Fire Rescue added a MAXIMETAL mini pumper built on a Ford F-550 chassis and powered by a 330 HP Ford diesel engine. The mini pumper is equipped with a Hale 276 GPM pump, Whelen warning and scene light packages, and an electrical inverter system. Department: White Rock Fire Rescue, British Columbia

PIERCE® BXP PUMPER

(2) PIERCE® ENFORCER™ ASCENDANT® 107’ TANDEM AERIALS

This new Pierce® BXP pumper is built on a Freightliner M2-106 four-door crew cab chassis and propelled by a 375 HP DD8 engine. The truck features a Waterous CXPA3 1250 GPM pump, 1,000 G tank, and Husky™ 3 foam system with a 30 G foam cell. Department: Comox Valley Regional District - Union Bay Fire Department, British Columbia

The City of Calgary expanded its fleet with two Pierce® Enforcer™ Ascendant® 107’ tandem aerial ladders, each powered by a 500 HP Cummins X12 producing 1,700 lb-ft of torque. Both are configured in no-pump no-tank configurations and feature high-flow aerial waterways rated at 1,500 GPM, with four-door cabs, and aluminum aerial bodies with torque-box ladder storage. Department: Calgary Fire Department, Alberta

COMMERCIAL EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 41

APPARATUSDIRECTORY INFINIT DRONES CORP.

610 Hanlan Road, Unit B Woodbridge ON L4L 4Y1 Tel: 416-499-9825 Toll free: 416-499-9825 Company Email: info@infinitdrones.com Web: www.infinitdrones.com Infinit Drones provides enterprise drone and robotics solutions for public safety, emergency response and critical operations. We supply and integrate UAV platforms, thermal imaging systems, payloads, autonomous solutions and software to support fire departments and emergency response teams. Applications include fire scene size-up, thermal hotspot detection, structure fire monitoring, wildfire support, Hazmat response, search and rescue, incident command support and post-incident assessment. Infinit Drones also provides training, consulting and program support to help organizations deploy safe and effective RPAS operations.

Your KME authorized dealers include: METZ FIRE & RESCUE 3-304 Stone Road W. #325 Guelph, Ontario N1G4W4 519-763-9955 Territory: Ontario SAFETEK EMERGENCY VEHICLES 2122 Peardonville Road Abbotsford BC V2T6J8 T. 1.604.504.4590 www.firetrucks.ca Territory:British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut 1200 Degrees 105, route Marine-Victorin St-Francois-du-Lac, Quebec J0G 1MO 888-568-2777 Territory: Quebec and Maritimes DEPENDABLE EMERGENCY VEHICLES 275 Clarence St. Brampton, ON L8W 3R3 1-800-268-0871 Territory: ONTARIO: All areas except Haldimand, Halton, Waterloo, and Wellington regions.

MAXIMETAL INC.

9345, 25e Ave Saint-Georges, QC G6A 1L1 Tel: 418-228-6637 Toll free: 800-510-6337 Fax: 418-228-0493 Company Email: maximetal@maximetal.ca Web: www.maximetal.com MAXIMETAL, an Oshkosh Corporation company, is a dynamic, innovative company with 40 years’ experience designing and building optimized intervention vehicles for Fire & Emergency as well as Power & Utility customers. OUR MISSION: To support those who keep our families safe and comfortable by designing and building vehicles that stand out for their quality and ingenuity. MAXIMETAL is represented by Canada’s most robust apparatus dealer network, coast-to-coast. Find your dealer here: www.maximetal.com/finda-dealer

MERCEDES TEXTILES LTD. JORDAIR COMPRESSORS INC.

205-6901 72 St. Delta BC V4G 0A2 Tel: 604-940-8101 Toll free: 800-940-8101 Fax: 604-940-8101 Company Email: sales@jordair.ca Web: www.jordair.ca Jordair offers a wide range of high pressure breathing air products for the filling of SCBA cylinders. Our products set the industry standard in safety and reliability, backed by over 40 years of compressor expertise. That is why JordairBauer compressor systems are the number one choice for the Fire Departments, Diving, and the Military in Canada. Jordair is CSA certified and CRN registered in all provinces across Canada.

KME

One Industrial Complex Nesquehoning PA 18240-1499 Toll free: 800-235-3928 Company Email: kme@kmefire.com Web: www.kmefire.com KME is Engineered to Serve! KME is a manufacturer of high quality, custom fire apparatus serving communities across the country. Choose from a wide range of products that includes Aerials, Pumpers, Tankers, Rescues, and Wildland vehicles. Our nationwide network of sales and service centers supports you long after the sale with the parts and service you need to continue your life-saving missions. For more information on KME Fire Apparatus or to find a KME dealer near you, visit kmefire.com

KOCHEK CANADA

62 Bradwick Dr., Vaughan ON L4K 1K8 Tel: 416-602-0404 Company Email: sales@kochekcanada.com Web: www.kochek.com sales@kochekcanada.com Robin Lewis, Customer Service laura@kochekcanada.com Laura Kenyon, Regional Director

KURI TEC

140 Roy Blvd Brantford ON N3R 7K2 Tel: 519-753-6717 Company Email: sales@kuritec.com Web: kuritec.com Kuri Tec, located in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, is part of the Kuriyama Group of Companies founded in 1939. Since 1984, Kuri Tec has provided quality hoses and accessories through a strong distributor network across the Canadian market. Kuriyama Fire Products, a division of the Kuriyama Group, has been a trusted supplier of fire hose, fire nozzles, and fire accessories to firefighters worldwide for over 50 years. We offer equipment tailored to Municipal, Industrial, and Forestry firefighting needs, all designed to meet the highest standards of safety and reliability through NFPA and ULC. With an extensive product line that includes fire hoses, nozzles, and accessories like fire backpacks, we strive to deliver the best solutions for every firefighting situation. Whether it’s industrial, specialty, or firefighting applications, Kuri Tec provides top-quality products and exceptional service.

42 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

Montreal QC Tel: 514-335-4337 Fax: 514-335-9633 Company Email: sales@mercedestextiles.com Web: www.mercedestextiles.com For over 45 years, Mercedes Textiles has proudly delivered the most innovative and reliable water delivery systems to the firefighting community. From hoses & couplings to portable pumps, municipal to forestry, we put our technology where your courage is. FIRE HOSE & COUPLINGS: • KrakenEXO® – The most advanced UL-listed attack fire hose on the market – weighs less, kinks less, flows more water, beats the heat • MegaFlo® Breather – Large volume attack & supply hose designed for fastest deployment, easiest recovery & best packability • Highwater Hose Inc. – We offer a wide range of rubber-covered lightweight, lay-flat & industrial hoses via our partner brand • Many hoses available with iReflect® & WAYOUT® couplings and iDentify® Coding System – all manufactured under one roof, customized to your specifications, & NFPA 1961 compliant • Best warranty on the market: 2-year All Hazards, 10-year manufacturing defects & Lifetime against delamination (2-10-L) POWERFUL FIRE PUMPS: We are a leading manufacturer of high pressure, lightweight, portable fire pumps for forestry & municipal fire applications. When you need water, we deliver. OUR DISTRIBUTORS: • www.indsales.ca – Labrador • www.cumings.ca – NB, NL (MINUS LABRADOR), NS, PE • www.larsenal.ca – QC • www.municipalequipment.ca – S/S.E. ONT • www.transcanadasafety.ca – N/N.C. ONT • www.soucisalosafety.com – N/N.C. ONT • www.realsafety.ca – MB • www.wfrfire.com – BC,AB,SK,YT,NWT @fireincanada

APPARATUSSHOWCASE TANKER 615

TAK18

Dependable Emergency Vehicles manufactured this custom-built tanker for Wilmot Fire Rescue. Featuring a tandem rear axle configuration, an integrated pump control panel, Federal Signal emergency lighting, and Amdor roll-up compartment doors. Department: Wilmot Fire Rescue, Ontario

Built by Dependable Emergency Vehicles, this custom fire apparatus for Thorburn Fire Department features a Ford crew cab chassis, integrated pump controls, Amdor roll-up doors, Federal Signal emergency lighting, and a compact body configuration. Designed for versatility and accessibility. Made In Canada. Department: Thorburn Fire Department, Nova Scotia

PUMPER 310

SUPPORT VEHICLE

Manufactured by Dependable Emergency Vehicles, this custom pumper for Caledon Fire & Emergency Services features a crew cab chassis, integrated pump controls, Amdor roll-up doors, and Whelen emergency lighting. Made In Canada. Department: Caledon Fire & Emergency Services, Ontario

Dependable Emergency Vehicles manufactured this specialized support vehicle for the Hamilton Fire Department’s Mechanical Division. Featuring a commercial truck chassis, a custom service body, the unit is designed to support maintenance, equipment transportation, and fleet service operations, helping keep emergency apparatus operational and ready for service. Made In Canada. Department: Hamilton Fire Department, Ontario

CUSTOM PUMPER

EMERGENCY RESPONSE UNIT A/L111

This custom-built pumper for Lambton Shores Fire & Emergency Services, manufactured in Canada by Dependable Emergency Vehicles, features a Spartan chassis, Hale pump, Federal Signal emergency lighting, Amdor roll-up doors, spacious equipment compartments, and a heavy-duty body construction designed for durability and reliable performance. Made In Canada. Department: Lambton Shores Fire & Emergency Services, Ontario

Dependable Emergency Vehicles manufactured this specialized emergency response unit for Toronto Fire Services. Featuring a commercial truck chassis, custom enclosed body, multiple equipment storage compartments with Amdor roll-up doors, and Whelen emergency lighting, A/L111 is configured to support specialized emergency response activities. Made In Canada. Department: Toronto Fire Services, Ontario

DEPENDABLE EMERGENCY VEHICLES

4,000 G TANKER

DEPENDABLE EMERGENCY VEHICLES

Dependable Emergency Vehicles manufactured this heavy-duty 4,000-gallon tanker for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ Whiteshell Fire & Rescue. Featuring an integrated Hale pump, enclosed equipment compartments with Amdor roll-up doors, and Whelen emergency lighting, this custom-built tanker is designed for dependable performance. Made In Canada. Department: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ Whiteshell Fire & Rescue, Manitoba

November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 43

APPARATUSDIRECTORY

METALFAB LTD.

847 Central St. Centreville NB E7K 2E8 Tel: 506-276-1024 Toll free: 800-561-0012 Fax: 506-276-3648 Company Email: info@metalfabfiretrucks.com Web: www.metalfabfiretrucks.com For over 50 years, owners of Metalfab Fire Trucks know that each purchase is a 20 year partnership of protection for themselves and their communities. Metalfab is an Atlantic Canadian manufacturer of custom engineered Fire Trucks built to the requirements of each customer. Metalfab serves fire departments across Canada and the Eastern US.

OCEANID™

1801 Chuckanut Ridge Drive Bow WA 98232 Tel: 208-322-3600 Fax: 208-322-3600 Company Email: kris@oceanid.com Web: www.oceanid.com Oceanid is a water rescue equipment design company. We take pride in our boats and design them to take the kind of punishment that many years of rescue and commercial usage will incur. We work closely with Fire, Sheriff and Search and Rescue organizations for ideas and prototype testing.

NEDERMAN CANADA

5865 McLaughlin Road Unit 1 Mississauga ON L5R 1B8 Tel: 289-497-9700 Toll free: 855-925-1609 Company Email: customerservice.ca@nederman. com Web: www.nederman.com With over 80 years of experience and well over 100,000 installations, Nederman offers diesel exhaust extraction systems designed specifically for emergency and fire vehicles. From the planning and design stage to installation, commissioning and maintenance support Nederman is your clean air partner. Nederman Magna Systems reliably capture 100% of dangerous diesel exhaust emissions with source capture technology that prevents fumes from traveling throughout the station. Exhaust fumes are removed right at the tailpipe – the most efficient method. Our system design supports ergonomic attachments and quickrelease when speed is required for fast station exits. Magna Systems have no coiled hoses or loops and saves space between trucks. Nederman’s wide variety of product solutions are trusted at thousands of fire stations around the world with high quality construction and exceptional performance that maximizes protection.

ONTARIO FIRE TRUCK INC.

1397 Old Hwy. 99 Dundas ON L9H 5E3 Tel: 905-628-3324 Toll free: 800-474-6698 Company Email: sales@ontariofiretruck.com Web: www.ontariofiretruck.com Ontario Fire Truck Inc. is Ontario’s first choice for Fire Apparatus Service & Sales. We are your first and only call for Fire Apparatus Service, Sales & Testing! We offer you the finest repairs in the industry; we offer a 24 hour, 7 days a week service. All of our service staff is fully licensed Class “A” & “T” both provincially and EVT certified. We are fully insured and have over 30 years experience combined to provide the best service at your location. Our fully stocked mobile service trucks travel all over Ontario! Why take your truck anywhere, we come to you for both Service and Testing! Our Sales staff has over 70 years combined experience in the fire industry, we offer only the finest Seagrave fire apparatus, and Our Company believes only the best will do! We are the authorized sales and Service Company for Seagrave fire apparatus and equipment companies. “The bitterness of poor quality remains, long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”

NFPA

c/o Firehall Bookstore, PO Box 530, 105 Donly Dr. S. Simcoe ON N3Y 4N5 Tel: 877-267-3473 Fax: 877-624-1940 Company Email: info@firehallbookstore.com Web: www.firehallbookstore.com Canadian distributor for NFPA standards, Fire Prevention Week™, Sparky the Fire Dog® and other NFPA public education items.

44 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

PIERCE MANUFACTURING INC.

PO Box 2017 Appleton WI 54912-2017 Tel: 920-832-3000 Web: www.piercemfg.com Pierce Manufacturing: Perform. Like No Other. It’s more than a tagline. It’s a lifeline extended to every firefighter served, and the expectation of every person and product at Pierce Manufacturing Inc. Behind the design of every highly customized and engineered pumper, aerial, tanker and rescue unit is a team of professionals whose mission is to build a truck, exactly how it’s ordered. The Pierce team is committed to making sure every fire truck built is ready to perform. Pierce heavily invests in product development and programs to advance firefighter safety, education and performance. Performance-driven design means Pierce is continually evolving to provide firefighters with industry-leading advancements and unmatched innovation. As a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), the experienced team has access to an arsenal of cutting-edge technologies and revolutionary processes which have contributed to the development of four custom chassis and best-in-class innovation.

PLYMOVENT

5655 Kennedy Road, Unit 1 Mississauga ON L4Z 3E1 Tel: 800-465-0327 Company Email: david.k@plymovent.com Web: www.plymovent.com Plymovent has been helping protect firefighters from hazardous diesel exhaust exposure for more than 50 years. Specializing in vehicle exhaust extraction systems for Fire & EMS facilities, Plymovent designs solutions that capture and remove diesel exhaust fumes directly from the source before contaminants enter the station environment. From single-bay volunteer halls, to large municipal fire departments, Plymovent provides customized solutions for both new construction and retrofit projects. Backed by a distribution and service network, Plymovent offers expert system design, installation support, preventative maintenance, and ongoing technical service to help departments maintain cleaner, healthier fire stations. Through its “Hook Up The Hose” campaign, Plymovent continues to raise awareness about firefighter cancer risks associated with diesel exhaust exposure.

@fireincanada

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TOUGH GLOVES FOR ANY JOB

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APPARATUSDIRECTORY

ROLLNRACK RESCUE INTELLITECH INC.

7215 Gateway Court Manassas VA 20109 Tel: 346-464-8050 Toll free: 571-650-2500 Company Email: sales@rescueintellitech.com Web: www.rescueintellitech.com/en-us Rescue Intellitech, part of Sandberg Development Group founded in the 1960s, is dedicated to protecting firefighters by reducing exposure to harmful contaminants. Our integrated decontamination solutions— including the Solo Rescue® decon washer, DeconFilter™ Pro S, Puro® C87 detergent, and drying cabinets—help departments clean critical equipment effectively, reducing cancer risk and enhancing operational readiness. Developed and tested in collaboration with firefighters, our solutions are built for real-world conditions. Both the Solo Rescue® and Puro® C87 are third-party tested to meet NFPA 1850 standards, reinforcing our commitment to safety, performance, and compliance. With precision manufacturing and rigorous quality control, we deliver reliable solutions trusted by departments worldwide. Other innovative companies in the group include AIMPOINT®, GAIM®, NORDISK® and Camurus®.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PHOENIX

Head Office: 6415 Golden West Ave. Red Deer AB T4P 3X2 Tel: 403-347-7045 Toll free: 800-494-4210 Fax: 403-347-7049 Company Email: info@rockymountainphoenix.com Web: www.rockymountainphoenix.com Rocky Mountain Phoenix is your one-stop-shop for top-of-the-line innovative fire truck and fire equipment products and services. We offer a comprehensive line of emergency apparatus and emergency equipment, brands you know and trust; Rosenbauer, MSA, Innotex, CET Fire Pumps, HURST Jaws of Life, Akron Brass, Haix, Key Hose, MSA Cairns, Task Force Tips, Ready Rack, Firecraft and many more. We service what we sell. We provide 24/7 service for all your emergency fire apparatus and fire equipment through our Shop Service and Mobile Service. Annual fire pump testing, fire truck and fire equipment service and repairs for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, PEI and all of Canada’s Arctic. Visit Us: www.rockymountainphoenix.com BRANCHES: 103-2285 Queen St. Abbotsford, BC V2T 6T3 Tel: 604-864-7303 | Fax: 604-864-4938 | Toll Free: 1-888-815-0500 200 Logan Rd, Unit 3 Bridgewater, NS B4V 3J8 Tel: 1-844-530-4003 |

PO Box 328 Mukwonago WI 53149 Tel: 262-363-2030 Company Email: info@rollnrack.com Web: www.rollnrack.com THE ROLLNRACK HOSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM will streamline your hose management operations with a priority on safety and efficiency. The Power Roller can drain and roll a 100’ length of LDH in under 30 seconds and can be used on ALL hose. Heavy LDH rolls are rocked into or out of the unit. All hose is loaded with just two firefighters onto stationary rigs. Our Efficiency Package saves you money. The new Power Roller EXPRESS drains and rolls 3” diameter hose and smaller. The FASTBACK is a manual roller for attack line. The ROLLNRACK SYSTEM improves a firefighter’s quality of life immediately. MADE IN THE USA

ROSENBAUER AMERICA

5240 257th Street Wyoming MN 55092 Tel: 651-462-1000 Company Email: info@rosenbaueramerica.com Web: www.rosenbaueramerica.com With over 150 years of manufacturing experience, Rosenbauer is the largest manufacturer of fire equipment worldwide. A family-owned business founded in 1866, Rosenbauer’s global partnerships and access to new technologies has enabled the company to develop the most innovative and safest firetrucks on the market (Aerials, Pumpers, Tankers, Rescues, ARFF, Wildland, Custom Chassis & the all-electric RTX). Let us partner with you and build your communities next fire apparatus. Want to learn more! Contact your local Rosenbauer Canadian dealer. • Areo-Feu 5205 J. Armand Bombardier, Longueuil, QC J3Z 1G4 Tel: 800-469-1963 - Quebec - New Brunswick - Newfoundland and Labrador • City View Specialty Vehicles 5945 Ambler Dr., Mississauga, ON L4W 2K2 Tel: 416-249-4500 - Ontario • Rocky Mountain Phoenix 6415 Golden West Ave., Red Deer, AB T4P 3X2 Tel: 800-494-4210

SAFETEK PROFIRE

1775 Meyerside Drive, Unit 11-12 Mississauga ON L5T 1E2 Tel: 905-564-7900 Toll free: 877-572-0040 Company Email: sales@firetrucks.ca | parts@ firetrucks.ca | service@firetrucks.ca Web: www.firetrucks.ca From our beginning in 1993, Safetek Profire set out to be a different kind of company. One that honoured and celebrated our customers. Get to know us and you’ll soon discover that our passion is to serve. We are proud to represent some of the most recognized fire-rescue vehicle brands including: E-ONE, EVI, Hub Fire Engines, Iturri, KME, Ladder Tower, Smeal, Spartan, and SVI. OUR MISSION: Serving Those Who Keep Our Communities Safe. * Not all brands are available in all regions.

SANI GEAR INC.

545 Trillium Dr, Unit 4 Kitchener ON N2R 1J4 Tel: 519-893-1235 Toll free: 888-660-1840 Company Email: firesafe@sanigear.ca Web: www.sanigear.ca Established in 2003, Sani Gear Inc. is a verified Independent Service Provider (ISP) with locations in Kitchener ON and Gatineau QC. Sani Gear specializes in advanced cleaning, hydrostatic testing, advanced inspections, and full repair services for firefighter protective equipment, using NFPA-compliant materials and procedures. All services are performed in accordance with NFPA 1851 (2020 Edition) standards and are transitioning into compliance with the new NFPA 1850 standard. Sani Gear is also recognized by leading manufacturers across Canada for warranty-approved service work. Trusted by fire departments of every size — from volunteer stations to large full-time services — Sani Gear is committed to delivering dependable, high-quality service and support to every customer, regardless of department size.

#103 – 2285 Queen St., Abbotsford, BC V2T 6J3 888-815-0500 320 Logan Rd., Bridgewater, NS B4V 3J8 Tel: 844-530-4003 - Alberta - British Columbia - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Nova Scotia - Prince Edward Island - Yukon - Northwest Territories Nunavut

46 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

@fireincanada

DRIVING THE FUTURE OF PERFORMANCE.

Because performance under pressure demands reliability. Excellence isn’t a moment – it’s a commitment that lasts the life of the apparatus. Every Pierce apparatus reflects rigorous engineering, validation, uncompromising quality standards, and lifecycle support so departments can rely on their apparatus today and into the future. Ensuring performance when seconds matter.

LEARN MORE:

piercemfg.com/expansion

The Pierce name and Pierce logo are registered trademarks; and Perform. Like No Other is a service mark of Pierce Manufacturing Inc., Appleton, Wisconsin. ©2026 PIERCE MANUFACTURING INC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

WEST & ONTARIO Commercial Emergency Equipment Co. 1.800.665.6126 comemerg.ca

QUEBEC L’Arsenal 1.800.266.7610 larsenal.ca

EAST Safety Source Fire Inc. 1.800.667.3030 safetysourcefire.ca

APPARATUSDIRECTORY

SPARTAN WELLNESS INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE CLINIC SPARTAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE

907 7th Ave. North Brandon SD 57005 Tel: 605-582-4000 Company Email: info@spartaner.com Web: www.spartaner.com Spartan Emergency Response (Spartan ER) is a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of custom emergency response vehicles, cabs, and chassis. Committed to excellence in quality and innovation, Spartan, along with its trusted brands Spartan Fire Chassis, Smeal, and Ladder Tower (LT), offers a comprehensive range of apparatus tailored to meet your department’s unique needs. With over 250 years of combined experience in fire apparatus manufacturing, Spartan has built a legacy of exceptional design, development, and after-sale support. Fire truck design and manufacturing are at the core of what we do, and this dedication continues to drive us forward. At Spartan, we collaborate with you from the outset to transform your truck specifications into a design that delivers the perfect balance of safety, speed, agility, ergonomics, and serviceability—ensuring longevity and performance. Our S-180 product line exemplifies this commitment, offering a versatile and cost-effective solution that provides high-quality features and rapid delivery without compromising on the durability and reliability Spartan is known for. SAFETEK EMERGENCY VEHICLES 2122 Peardonville Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6J8 T. 1.604.504.4590 www.firetrucks.ca

STARFIELD LION

23 Benton Road Toronto ON M6M 3G2 Tel: 416-789-4354 Toll free: 800-473-5553 Fax: 416-789-5475 Company Email: starfieldcustomersupport@ lionprotects.com Web: www.starfieldlion.com Starfield Lion has a legacy and ongoing vision of introducing PPE that is designed to ensure the health, safety and performance of the first responders who serve our communities. Your safety is our top priority. Your needs drive our innovations, we listen and develop the solution.

Kanata ON K2K3E7 Tel: 416-282-6110 Company Email: info@spartanwellness.ca Web: spartanwellness.ca Spartan Wellness Integrative Medicine Clinic is a Canada-wide virtual clinic providing personalized care for Veterans and First Responders, including career and volunteer firefighters. Our multidisciplinary care includes Naturopathic Doctor (ND) services, Registered Dietitian (RD) support, mental health and psychosocial services (SW), chronic pain solutions, and topical compounded creams for joint pain, soft tissue pain, migraines and inflammation, and more. Care can address shift work, sleep disruption, operational stress, nutrition, mental wellness, readiness, recovery and other service-related challenges. We are building a Community of Care, with free virtual and in-person peer events and more! Spartan Wellness also offers an optional Health & Dental Benefits Plan for eligible patients, including career and volunteer firefighters, with coverage for services not typically covered by some traditional benefits plans. Canada-wide services. Visit spartanwellness.ca to get started!

TOOL MOUNTS CANADA

PO Box 20107 Barrie ON L4M 6E9 Tel: 705-733-3689 Toll free: 833-733-3689 Company Email: orders@toolmountscanada.ca Web: www.toolmountscanada.ca Provides tool and equipment mounting brackets, mounting systems, and organizational solutions for fire apparatus of all types, from several leading manufacturers. TMC products are available from an extensive Dealer network across Canada and are also offered by all OEM fire apparatus manufacturers. TMC is the Canadian Distributor for Performance Advantage Company ( PAC ), the pioneer in tool mounting solutions. PAC products are manufactured in North America and come with a lifetime bracket and strap warranty. TMC is also a Distributor for Power Products Endura line ( portable radio and charger holders ) , and various other equipment bracket suppliers.

WATERAX INC. SUTPHEN CORPORATION

6450 Eiterman Road Dublin OH 43016 Tel: 800-726-7030 Company Email: sales@sutphen.com Web: sutphen.com Founded in 1890 by C.H. Sutphen, Sutphen Corporation stands as the largest family-owned and operated fire apparatus manufacturer in the United States. Built on the foundations of family, innovation and service to firefighters and communities around the world, Sutphen Corporation has been a fire industry staple for over 136 years.

SVI TRUCKS

3842 Redman Dr. Fort Collins CO 80524 Tel: 970-297-7100 Toll free: 888-784-1112 Fax: 970-297-7099 Company Email: info@svitrucks.com Web: www.svitrucks.com SVI Trucks, a Super Vacuum Manufacturing Company located in Fort Collins, Colo., builds custom fire apparatus, including rescue trucks, hazmat units, command vehicles, fire engines, tanker trucks, law enforcement vehicles and more. To see SVI’s full fleet, visit svitrucks.com. To browse drawings, features and specifications of a truck, visit SVI’s Apparatus pages and click on any truck image.

48 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

6635 Henri-Bourassa W. Montreal QC H4R 1E1 Tel: 514-637-1818 Toll free: 855-616-1818 Company Email: sales@waterax.com Web: www.waterax.com Trusted by wildland firefighters around the world, WATERAX sets the industry standard by developing innovative, portable fire pumps and water-handling equipment designed to withstand demanding applications and rugged environments. With a time-tested legacy of reliability, WATERAX carries on its mission to place powerful, precision engineered pumps into the hands of the men and women who need to move water to protect our forests and most cherished natural resources from the ravages of wildfires! A Modern Pump for the Modern Firefighter Maintaining the tradition while moving technology forward: the MARK-3® Watson Edition plugs right into your existing MARK-3® water-moving systems. It will set a new benchmark of excellence for high-pressure fire pumps in the wildland firefighting community for generations to come. The MARK-3® Watson Edition is an entirely new platform that boasts exciting modernized features including the first ever purpose-built engine for a wildland pump.

@fireincanada

Fire department storage systems are vital for easier inspections and quicker response times. Ready Rack offers more modular and customizable PPE storage systems than anyone else. From wall-mounted, freestanding and mobile lockers, to heavy-duty hose carts, bottle racks and more — all meticulously crafted from robust tubular steel and powder coated to ensure years of durable station organization. Rely on Ready Rack for versatile PPE storage solutions throughout your firehouse.

DECON • DRY • STORE • PROTECT

readyrack.com • sales@groves.com

APPARATUSSHOWCASE CUSTOM PUMPER

HR 100 LADDER TRUCK

This stainless-steel rescue pumper is built on a Typhoon chassis with a long cab and 16” vista roof all powered by a 500 HP Cummins X12 engine. It features a Hale Qmax 1,500 GPM pump, 600 G water tank, FoamPro foam system with a 30 G foam cell, lowered hose bed with an ergonomic slide-and-lift cover and lowered crosslays with removable trays. Department: Oshawa Fire and Rescue, Ontario

Clarington Emergency and Fire Services’ new E-ONE HR 100 single-axle quint is built on a Cyclone chassis and powered by a 500 HP Cummins X12 engine. It features a Waterous S100 7,000 LPM pump, 400 G water tank, 100’ extruded aluminum ladder with a 500 lb unrestricted tip load, enclosed pump panel, custom front and rear bumpers and a Side Stacker hose bed for 550’ of LDH hose. Department: Clarington Emergency and Fire Services, Ontario

TYPHOON TME PUMPER TANKER

TYPHOON HP 75 AERIAL

This top-mount enclosed pumper tanker sits on a Typhoon chassis and powered by a 500 HP Cummins X12 engine. It features a Hale Qmax 1,500 GPM pump, 2,200 G water tank, tunnel-style ladder storage, hose bed access ladder and a Zico hydraulic portable tank rack. Department: Kentville Volunteer Fire Department, Nova Scotia

Whapmagoostui Fire Rescue’s new E-ONE HP 75 aerial is assembled on a Typhoon chassis and is equipped with a 450 HP Cummins L9 engine. The aerial has a Hale Qmax 1,500 GPM pump, a 500 G water tank, 4x4 EZ Trac, full-height compartments and an advanced aerial control system. Department: Whapmagoostui Fire Rescue, Quebec

SMEAL 30M/100’ PLATFORM

SMEAL 23M/77’ AERIAL

This Smeal 30M platform is built on a Spartan Gladiator EMFD chassis and powered by a 565 HP Cummins X15 engine paired with an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. It features a three-section heavy-duty steel ladder with a 1,250 lb platform payload capacity, Darley PSM 7,000 LPM pump and a 400 IMP G water tank. Department: Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services, Ontario

This aerial is built on a Spartan Gladiator MFD chassis with a 10” raised roof and powered by a 525 HP Cummins X12 engine paired with an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. It features a Waterous CSU pump rated at 1,750 IMP GPM, 330 IMP G water tank and a 20 IMP G foam system. Department: Hudson’s Hope Fire and Rescue Service, British Columbia

SMEAL 30M/100’ PLATFORM

SPARTAN HEAVY RESCUE

Built for Langley, this apparatus rides on a Spartan Gladiator EMFD chassis with a 10” raised roof and powered by a 565 HP Cummins X15 engine paired with an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. It also features a Hale QMax 1,750 IMP GPM pump, 400 G water tank and a 20 G foam cell. Department: Langley City Fire Rescue Service, British Columbia

A Spartan FC-94 chassis, 450 HP Cummins L9 engine and Allison 3000 EVS transmission form the foundation of this heavy rescue unit. Equipped to carry extrication gear and specialty equipment, it features a Command Light Knight KL415D light tower for scene illumination. Department: St. Albert Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Alberta

1200 DEGREES

SAFETEK PROFIRE

50 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

1200 DEGREES

SAFETEK PROFIRE

@fireincanada

APPARATUSSHOWCASE KME 103’ TUFF TRUCK AERIAL CAT

(2) SMEAL CUSTOM PUMPERS

Built on a KME Severe Service LFD with 10” raised roof, this aerial pairs a Cummins X12 455 HP engine with an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. Features include a Waterous CSU 1,250 GPM pump, 500 G water tank, Class One Es-Key Multiplex system, Whelen Warning Light package, Hi Viz Scene light package, Smart Power 8kW generator and an IQAN aerial safety system. Department: Kitchener Fire Department, Ontario

Built on a Spartan Gladiator LFD chassis and powered by a Cummins X15 605 HP engine, Kamloops’ new custom pumpers feature a Hale Qmax 1500 GPM pump, 500 G water tank, 30 G foam cell and a FoamPro 2002 single foam system. Department: Kamloops Fire Rescue, British Columbia

METZ FIRE & RESCUE

SAFETEK PROFIRE

MOTTO DECON Portable Wash Decon System, engineered specifically for immediate, on-the-spot mitigation.

1 Station Cart

• 1 Harness Stand • 1 Tank Washing Station • Compatible with all SCBAs • 1 Soap Tank • Ideal for In-Station Use

2 Station Cart

• 2 Harness Stands • 1 Tank Washing Station • Compatible with all SCBAs • 1 Soap Tank • Ideal for In-Station Use

2 Station Frame

• 2 Harness Stands • 1 Tank Washing Station • Compatible with all SCBAs • 1 Soap Tank • Ideal for Use On-Scene

4 Station Frame

• 4 Harness Stands • 2 Tank Washing Stations • Compatible with all SCBAs • 2 Soap Tanks • Ideal for Use On-Scene

Because the Fire Doesn't End at the Exit

www.mottodecon.ca

November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 51 FFIC_MottoDecon_Nov26_CSA.indd 1

2026-09-28 11:52 AM

Dan Paolucci Production Manager 35 years experience

@HubFire

Visit us hubfire.com

Smeal in Canada · Proven Since 1993

Experience matters. Before and after delivery.

33+ Years

Of Smeal experience

For your next Smeal aerial, put 33 years of experience behind it.

Hundreds

Of aerials delivered across Canada

Coast to Coast

Experienced Smeal parts and service support

Scan to discover the Smeal story.

APPARATUSSHOWCASE ER PUMPER TOP MOUNT

WALK AROUND RESCUE

This ER pumper is built on a Spartan Gladiator chassis and is powered by a Cummins X15 605 HP diesel engine with an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. The 5052-freshwater marine grade aluminum unit features a Waterous midship CSU2000 pump,1250 I.G. tank, Waterous Aquis 6 Class A foam system, TFT Crossfire rooftop monitor and a Zico electric overhead ladder rack. Department: Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department, British Columbia

This 12-foot walk-around rescue was assembled on a Ford F550 4x4 crew cab chassis that is powered by a 330 HP 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel engine and a Torqshift 10-speed automatic transmission. The 5083-salt water marine grade aluminum unit features a Federal Signal emergency light package, Whelen scene lights, FRC Spectra push up scene lights 28k lumens, and a Command Light TFBH7 traffic flow board. Department: Oromocto Fire Department, New Brunswick

ER PUMPER CROSS CONTROL

WALK-IN RESCUE

This pumper rides on a Freightliner crew cab chassis and houses a Detroit DD8 375 HP diesel engine and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. This 5083-salt water marine grade aluminum unit features a Darley Midship LDM 1250 pump, 1000 IG tank, Foam Pro Class A/B foam system, rooftop Command Light, Husky 1250 IG porta tank, and a Zico electric overhead ladder rack. Department: Miscouche Volunteer Fire Department, Prince Edward Island

Erected on a Freightliner regular cab chassis, this 20-foot rescue is powered by a Detroit DD8 350 HP diesel engine and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. Crafted from 5052-freshwater marine grade aluminum, this unit features internal seating for eight, a microwave, two 32-inch-high refrigerators, ample exterior storage compartments with roll-out trays, and a 14 SCBA bottle rack. Department: Hay River Fire Department, Northwest Territories

CRUSADER PUMPER SIDE CONTROL

PUMPER TANKER

This Crusader pumper sits on a Freightliner crew cab chassis that is powered by a Detroit DD8 375 HP diesel engine and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. This formed 5052-freshwater marine grade aluminum truck features a Darley Midship PSM1250 pump, 800 IG tank, and a Foam Pro 1600 – Class A foam proportioning system. Department: Old Massett Volunteer Fire Department, British Columbia

A Peterbilt 589 regular cab chassis forms the base for this apparatus that is powered by a Cummins X15 500 HP diesel engine and an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. The 5083-salt water marine grade aluminum pumper features a Hale PTO DSD1250 pump, poly 3000 IG tank, and a rear FRC Spectra Max floodlight. Department: Belleisle Valley Fire Department, New Brunswick

ER-M PUMPER

(3) ER PUMPERS SIDE CONTROL

This ER-M pumper is built on a Freightliner regular cab chassis that is powered by a Detroit DD8 375 HP diesel engine and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. A formed 5083-salt water marine grade aluminum unit, it features a Waterous Midship CX1250 pump, an 800 IG tank, Foam Pro 1600 – Class A foam proportioning system, and a rooftop walkway to pumphouse. Department: Maitland Fire Department, Nova Scotia

These side control ER pumpers are built on Spartan Metro Star chassis and are powered by Cummins L9 450 HP diesel engines with Allison 3000 EVS transmissions. These 5083-salt water marine grade aluminum units feature Hale QMAX 1750 Midship pumps, 800 IG tanks, Foam Pro 2002 Class A/B foam systems, and Akron Stream Master II roof top monitors. Department: City of Winnipeg Fire Department, Manitoba

FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS

54 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS

@fireincanada

SCAN ME

Viper Bore

Armtex HP

Viper Attack

Armtex Jafrib

Suction Hose

Armored Reel

Genfo Backpack

(519) 753-6717

sales@kuritec.com

FIREFIGHTING CANADA AD.indd 1

www.kuriyamafire.ca 28/1/26 10:46

FFIC_KuriTec_February26_CSA.indd 1

2026-01-28 10:17 AM

Protect Your Crew with Smarter Station Storage Prevent gear moisture and fabric degradation. Supports proper, NFPA-compliant PPE care. Heavy-duty steel built for apparatus bays.

Upgrade Your Station Storage hicube.com

604.946.4838 November 2026 FIREFightingInCanada.com 55 FFIC_Hi-Cube_Nov26_CSA.indd 1

2026-09-24 11:01 AM

APPARATUSSHOWCASE ER TANKER TOP MOUNT ENCLOSED

CRUSADER TANKER

Leduc’s new enclosed ER tanker rides on a Spartan Metro Star chassis that is powered by a Cummins X12 500 HP diesel engine and an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. This 5083-salt water marine grade aluminum truck features a Waterous Midship CSU2000 pump, a 467 IG water tank, Foam Pro 2002 Class A foam system, and a rooftop TFT Hurricane monitor. Department: City of Leduc Fire Services, Alberta

Riding on a Freightliner regular cab chassis, this Crusader tanker is powered by a Detroit DD8 375 HP diesel engine and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. The 5052-freshwater marine grade aluminum truck features a Hale Sidekick 500GPM pump, 2000 IG tank, and a Whelen low power emergency light package. Department: Winnipeg Beach Fire Department, Manitoba

ER PUMPER 3-MAN CROWN

PUMPER TANKER

This ER Pumper 3-Man crown was assembled on a Freightliner regular cab chassis and is powered by a Detroit DD8 375 HP diesel engine with an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. A 5083-salt water marine grade aluminum unit, it features a Hale Midship QMAX1500 pump, 1000 IG water tank, and a Zico electric fold down ladder rack. Department: Lanark Highlands Fire Protection Services, Ontario

Built on a Freightliner regular cab chassis, this pumper tanker is powered by a Detroit DD13 450 HP diesel engine and an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. This 5083-salt water marine grade aluminum apparatus features a Hale Midship QMAX1500 pump, a 2000 IG tank, Zico electric overhead ladder rack, Akron Apollo direct mount monitor, and a Zico hydraulic portable tank holder with 2080 I.G. Husky Port-A-Tank. Department: Stratford Volunteer Fire Company, New York

(3) PUMPER TANKERS

WILDLAND RANGER

Greenstone’s new pumper tankers ride on Freightliner crew cab chassis and are powered by Detroit DD8 375 HP diesel engines with Allison 3000 EVS transmissions. These 5083-salt water marine grade aluminum units feature Hale Midship DSD1250 pumps, 1500 I.G. tanks, Akron Stream Master roof top monitors, and 1750 IG Husky Porta Tanks. Department: Greenstone Fire Department, Ontario

Constructed for wildfire attack, this wildland ranger sits on an International extended cab chassis with a Cummins L9 380 HP diesel engine and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. This 5052-fresh water marine grade aluminum pumper features a Waterax B2X-D902H pump, 1000 IG water tank, and a Foam Pro 1600 Class A foam system. Department: Standard Fire Department, Alberta

MXV PUMPER

BUSHMASTER WILDLAND TYPE 5

This MXV pumper is built on a Freightliner regular cab chassis powered by a Detroit DD8 375 HP diesel engine and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. This formed 5083-salt water marine grade aluminum apparatus features a Waterous PTO CXPA1250 pump, 1000 IG tank, Foam Pro 1600 – Class A foam system, and a rooftop Akron Apollo monitor. Department: Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department, British Columbia

Cross Lake First Nation’s new Wildland Type 5 Bushmaster rides on a Ford F-550 4x4 crew cab chassis with a 6.7L 330 HP diesel engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. A 5083-salt water marine grade aluminum unit, it features a 400 USG C.E.T. Attack Pac skid unit, Founder M/T off-road tires, ROCKGLASS viewing rear compartment doors, and a Leitner ACS Roof Platform. Department: Cross Lake First Nation Fire Department, Manitoba

FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS

56 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS

@fireincanada

APPARATUSSHOWCASE PUMPER/RESCUE

PUMPER

This pumper/rescue for Savona Fire & Rescue is built on a Freightliner M2+ chassis and powered by a 375 HP Detroit DD8 engine paired with an Allison EVS3000 transmission. The 34’6” apparatus features a top-control Hale QMax-XS pump with Akron/Elkhart valves, a 1,000 IMP G water tank, and a FoamPro 2001 foam system with 30 IMP G capacity. Department: Savona Fire & Rescue, British Columbia

Sucker Creek’s new pumper rides on an International MV chassis and is powered by a 350 HP Cummins engine paired with an Allison EVS3000 transmission. At just under 30’, it features a side-control Hale RSD-J pump, a 1,000 IMP G water tank and a FoamPro 1600 foam system. Department: Sucker Creek Fire Department, Alberta

TANKER W/ PUMP

PUMPER

This 29’ tanker features a PTO pump with pump-and-roll capability for mobile water delivery. It is equipped with a TFT Tornado electric monitor with ExtendA-Gun, a Hannay electric rewind hose reel, a Newton electric dump valve with swivel/telescopic chute, a Rigid brow light and a Go Light remote spotlight. Department: Lillooet Fire Department, British Columbia

Princeton Fire Department’s new Hub Pumper rides on a Freightliner M2+ chassis and is powered by a 375 HP Detroit DD8 engine paired with an Allison EVS 3000 transmission. It features a side-control Waterous CSU pump, a 1,000 IMP G water tank, a FoamPro 2001 foam system, a Honda EM5000 generator and Whelen and Akron Emergency scene light package. Department: Princeton Fire Department, British Columbia

PUMPER

This pumper is built on an International HV chassis and powered by a 350 HP Cummins L9 engine paired with an Allison EVS3000 transmission. It features an 840 IMP GPM side-control Waterous CSPA pump with Akron valves, a 600 IMP G water tank, a FoamPro 1600 foam system, pump-and-roll capability, Speedlay preconnects and a Zico access ladder. Department: Savary Island Volunteer Fire Department, British Columbia

This apparatus is built on a Spartan Metro Star chassis and powered by a 450 HP Cummins L9 engine paired with an Allison EVS3000 transmission. Features include a top-control Waterous CSUC22 pump with Akron valves, an 800 IMP G water tank, a Waterous Aquis 6.0 foam system, in-cab EMS cabinets, and a TFT Crossfire monitor with Extend-A-Gun. Department: Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services, British Columbia

PUMPER

TANKER

Burnaby’s new 33’6” Hub pumper is built on a Spartan Gladiator chassis and powered by a 565 HP Cummins X15 engine paired with an Allison EVS4000 transmission. It features a 1,750 IMP GPM side-control Waterous CMU pump with Elkhart/Waterous valves, a 500 IMP G water tank, a V-MUX electrical system, an Elkhart Vulcan monitor, and a Command Light KL Series light tower. Department: Burnaby Fire Department, British Columbia

This tanker from HUB’s MODUS line is built on a Freightliner M2+ chassis and powered by a 375 HP Detroit DD8 engine paired with an Allison EVS3000 transmission. Features include an 840 IMP GPM side-control Waterous CSPA pump with Elkhart valves, a 1,700 IMP G water tank, pump-and-roll capability, a TFT Tornado electric monitor and a Hannay electric rewind hose reel. Department: Vanderhoof Fire Department, British Columbia

HUB FIRE ENGINES

58 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

HUB FIRE ENGINES

@fireincanada

CANADIAN SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS PROUD TO BE A DISTRIBUTOR FOR THE INTERSPIRO RESPIRATORY PROTECTION LINE. THEIR STATE OF THE ART S9 INCURVE IS ONE OF THE MOST COMFORTABLE SCBAs YOU WILL EVER WEAR.

Made in SWEDEN – TARIFF FREE!!! GIVE US A CALL AT 800265-0182 OR EMAIL US at INFO@CDNSAFETY.COM

No company has a richer history in respiratory protection than Interspiro. Their innovations have become industry standards, time and time again.

NEW GROVES VORTEX MOBILE GEAR DRIER NFPA COMPLIANT

The Solo SCBA Decon/Washing machine was designed and built ü REDUCED HEALTH RISK for one purpose only…to SAVES TIME 2/PKS IN 8 MIN protect Fire Fighters from ü ü EASY TO USE Cancer causing agents ü 5 YEAR WARRANTY found in the Smoke and residue left on their Qualified by MSA, SCOTT, DRAEGER SCBAs. As an added & INTERSPIRO for cleaning their SCBAs. bonus it can clean Gloves, Boots and Helmets. In addition, it substantially lowers the time spent decontaminating firefighter equipment. WASH/DECON TWO The SOLO is the only SCBAs SCBA decon machine In 8 minutes. Also that meets both NFPA cleans, boots, gloves and CSA standards. Aand helmets.

AVAILABLE IN SINGLE OR THREE PHASE

MARSARS Water Rescue Systems, Inc. is an ice rescue equipment manufacturer known for its modern approach to rescue from a safer distance. Our mission is to exceed our customers’ expectations by being the leading provider of safe, high quality water and ice rescue gear. CANADIAN SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS PLEASED TO BE THEIR NEW EXCLUSIVE ONTARIO DEALER. Fighting vehicle fires is inherently dangerous, but electric and hybrid vehicles pose additional challenges to responding crews.

GEAR RACKS - HOSE RACKS & DRIERS- BOTTLE STORAGE – GEAR EXTRACTORS & DRIERS

As per NFPA guidelines and EV manufacturers’ Emergency Response Guides, firefighters are instructed to deliver copious amounts of water directly onto the battery case to prevent thermal runaway and aid in extinguishing the fire. But with the majority of EV batteries located underneath the vehicle, it’s extremely difficult and demanding on manpower to achieve using the nozzles currently available to the fire service. The Turtle Fire System is engineered to operate safely, reliably, and effectively under a burning vehicle all while delivering 500+ GPM directly onto the battery cell.

APPARATUSSHOWCASE MAXI PARAGON-TITAN PUMPER-TANKER

MAXI SABER LOW HOSEBED PUMPER

This Maxi 1400 IG pumper-tanker rides on a Freightliner M2-106 375 HP chassis and comes equipped with a 1250 IGPM Waterous pump in the Maxi Paragon configuration, a Pierce Husky 3 foam system, and Maxi’s exclusive Titan Rack for carrying a portable tank, ladders and hard suction. Department: Rexton Volunteer Fire Department, New Brunswick

The Lesser Slave Regional Fire Service’s new Maxi 625 IG low hose bed pumper is built on a Pierce Saber FR chassis and houses a 1250 IGPM Waterous pump in the Maxi Paragon pumphouse and a Pierce Husky 3 foam system. Department: Lesser Slave Regional Fire Service, Alberta

MAXI PARAGON PUMPER

MAXI SABER PARAGON PUMPER

Riding on a 375 HP Freightliner M2-106 chassis, Selwyn’s new Maxi 1000 IG pumper is equipped with a 1250 IGPM Waterous pump in the Maxi Paragon pumphouse and a Foam Pro 2001 foam system. Department: Selwyn Fire Department, Ontario

This Maximetal 840 IG pumper sits on a Pierce Saber FR chassis and comes well equipped with a 1250 IGPM Waterous pump in the Maxi Paragon pumphouse and a Pierce Husky 3 foam system. Department: SSI de Lac-Mégantic, Quebec

MAXI SABER PARAGON PUMPER

MAXI PIC TANKER

St. Antoine’s new Maxi 1000 IG pumper is built on a 450 HP Pierce Saber FR chassis and houses a 1250 IGPM Waterous pump in the Maxi Paragon pumphouse as well as a Pierce Husky 3 foam system. Department: SSI de Saint-Antoine, New Brunswick

Riding on a 2-door, 375 HP Freightliner M2-106 chassis, this Maxi 2000 IG pumpertanker arrived at Hastings Highlands Fire Department equipped with a Darley 1050 IGPM pump and Zico racks for portable tanks, ladders and suction. Department: Hastings Highlands Fire Department, Ontario

(2) MAXI PUMPER-TANKERS

MAXI SABER PUMPER

These two 1400 IG pumper-tankers are built on 4-door, 375 HP Freightliner M2-106 chassis and equipped with 1050 IGPM pumps, portable-tank sleeves and Zico racks for ladders and suction. Department: SSI de Cookshire-Eaton, Quebec

This Maxi 840 IG pumper rides on a 450 HP Pierce Saber FR chassis, equipped with an Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension, and is fitted with a 1250 IGPM Waterous pump and a Pierce Husky 3 foam system. Department: Conception Bay South Fire Department, Newfoundland

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APPARATUSSHOWCASE PIERCE PUMPER TANKER

PIERCE 100’ HEAVY-DUTY AERIAL TOWER

This pumper tanker is built on an Enforcer custom chassis and powered by a 500 HP Cummins X12 engine. It features a Waterous 750 GPM midship pump, a 3,500 G water tank, TAK-4 Independent Front Suspension and Pierce Command Zone Advanced Electronics. Department: Calgary Fire Department, Alberta

This Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower is built on an Enforcer custom chassis with a mid-mount configuration and powered by a 565 HP Cummins X15 engine. It features a Waterous 2,000 GPM midship pump, a 300 G water tank and Pierce Command Zone Advanced Electronics. Department: Orangeville Fire Department, Ontario

PIERCE COMMERCIAL PUMPER

PIERCE 107’ HEAVY-DUTY AERIAL LADDER SINGLE REAR AXLE

Haut-Madawaska Fire Department’s new pumper is built on a Freightliner chassis for frontline fire suppression operations. It features a Waterous 1,250 GPM pump, a 1,000 G water tank and a Husky 3 Foam System, providing crews with onboard water and foam capabilities. Department: Haut-Madawaska Fire Department, New Brunswick

Built on an Enforcer custom chassis, this Ascendant 107’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladder has a rear-mount configuration and is powered by a 450 HP Cummins L9 engine. It features a Waterous 1,750 GPM midship pump, a 500 G water tank, Pierce Command Zone Advanced Electronics and a Husky 3 Foam System. Department: St. Andrews Fire Department, New Brunswick

PIERCE SABER® PUMPER

Built on a Saber custom chassis, Invermere Fire Rescue’s new pumper is powered by a 510 HP PACCAR MX-13 engine. It features a Waterous 1,500 GPM midship pump, a 1,000 G water tank and a Husky 3 Foam System, providing crews with onboard water and foam capabilities for fire suppression operations. Department: Invermere Fire Rescue, British Columbia

This pumper is built on a Saber custom chassis and powered by a 510 HP PACCAR MX-13 engine. It features a Waterous 2,000 GPM midship pump, a 1,000 G water tank, TAK-4 Independent Front Suspension and a Husky 3 Foam System. Department: St. Albert Fire Services, Alberta

MAXI SABER® LOW HOSEBED PUMPER

MAXI SABER® CLEAN CAB PUMPER

This MAXI pumper is built on a Pierce Saber chassis and powered by a 510 HP PACCAR MX-13 engine. It features a Waterous 1,250 GPM midship pump in the MAXI Paragon configuration, a Pierce Husky 3 Foam System and a low hosebed design. Department: Midland Fire Department, Ontario

This MAXI clean cab pumper is built on a Pierce Saber chassis and powered by a 450 HP engine. It features TAK-4 Independent Front Suspension, a 6,000 LPM midship pump, a 2,000 L water tank, a FoamPro 3012 foam system and a custom gear locker for transporting dirty equipment back to the firehall after a call. Department: Service de Sécurité Incendie de Gatineau, Quebec

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Still Pushing the Boundaries The Rosenbauer Logic Control System (LCS) allows operators to control multiple apparatus functions at different locations on the vehicle with an intuitive, easy to use design. The torque box and outriggers of every Rosenbauer aerial are protected inside and out from corrosion with our hot-dip galvanization process. Equipped with advanced CAN-Bus electronic systems, the Rosenbauer Cobra ensures collision prevention with the apparatus. Knowing your SMART AerialTM will keep you safe, operate confidently on the short-jacked side of the apparatus. Contact your local Rosenbauer dealer.

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APPARATUSSHOWCASE URBAN INTERFACE PUMPER

SIDE MOUNT PUMPER

Built on a Freightliner M2 106 crew cab and chassis, this pumper is powered by a 375 HP Detroit DD8 engine and equipped with an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission. It also features a Rosenbauer NH55 1,250 IMP GPM dual-pressure PTO pump with pump-and-roll capability, a 750 IMP G water tank, a 20 G foam tank, and Rosenbauer FixMix and FoamPro 1600 foam systems. Department: Barrhead Fire Services, Alberta

This side-mount pumper is built on an International MV 607 cab and chassis and powered by a 300 HP Cummins L9 engine paired with an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission. It features a Rosenbauer N 55 split-shaft pump, a 1,000 US G water tank, a 20 IMP G foam tank, a FoamPro 1600 foam system, and a Whelen light package. Department: Hagensborg Fire Department, Bella Coola Valley, British Columbia

101’ KING COBRA AERIAL

CUSTOM 104’ COBRA AERIAL

Built on a Rosenbauer 60” custom cab and chassis, this aerial is powered by a 500 HP Cummins X15 engine with an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. It features a Rosenbauer N80 2,250 GPM pump, a 500 G water tank, a 1,500 GPM waterway with a 3486 Stream Master monitor, short-jacking capability and Smart Aerial Technology with joystick controls. Department: Canmore Fire Department, Alberta

This 104’ Cobra platform is built on a Rosenbauer Commander 60” cab and chassis with an 8” raised roof and powered by a 600 HP Cummins X15 engine equipped with an Allison 4000 EVS automatic transmission. It features a 24,000 lb Hendrickson parabolic front axle, a 63,000 lb Meritor rear axle with Hendrickson Air Ride, and backup and side cameras. Department: Edson Fire Department, Alberta

URBAN INTERFACE

KING COBRA 101’ AERIAL

This apparatus is built on a Freightliner M2 102 Plus cab and chassis and powered by a 375 HP Detroit DD8 engine paired with an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission. It features a Rosenbauer NH 1,250 IMP GPM dual-pressure pump with PTO capability and a 750 IMP G water tank. Department: Skeena Gold + Silver Eskay Creek Fire & Mine Rescue, British Columbia

This 101’ Rosenbauer rear-mount platform is built on a Commander 60” custom cab and chassis and powered by a 600 HP Cummins X15 engine with an Allison 4000 EVS automatic transmission. It features a Waterous 1,750 IMP GPM single-stage pump, a 500 G water tank, a 20 G foam tank, a three-section aerial with articulating jib, and galvanized outriggers. Department: Gimli Fire Department, Manitoba

SIDE MOUNT PUMPER

TOP MOUNT ENCLOSED PUMPER

Built on a Freightliner M2 106 Plus cab and chassis, this pumper is powered by a 330 HP Detroit DD8 engine plus an Allison 3500 EVS automatic transmission. It features a Rosenbauer NH 1,250 IMP GPM dual-pressure PTO pump with pump-and-roll capability, a 1,000 IMP G water tank, a 16.6 IMP G foam tank, and an Elkhart Brass front bumper monitor. Department: Kerrobert Fire & Rescue, Saskatchewan

This Rosenbauer top-mount enclosed pumper is built on a 2025 Freightliner M2 106 Plus two-door cab and chassis and powered by a 375 HP Detroit Diesel DD8 engine equipped with an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission. It features a Hale 1,050 IMP GPM PTO pump with pump-and-roll capability, a 1,000 IMP G water tank, a Whelen Justice 62” light bar, and a Whelen TANF65 34” Traffic Advisor. Department: Killarney – Turtle Mountain Fire Department, Manitoba

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PHOENIX

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APPARATUSSHOWCASE (2) WILDLAND

TOP MOUNT ENCLOSED PUMPER

Built for wildfires, these apparatus ride on a 2024 Ford F-550 60CA chassis with an extended aluminum deck and upgraded suspension and 335/80R20 super single tires. They feature a CET dual-pump skid unit, a mid-range pump, a Lagrange ultra-high-pressure pump, a 400 G poly tank, a front monitor, above-deck and underbody compartments, and a Bulletproof front bumper. Department: Kneehill County Fire & Rescue Services, Alberta

A 2026 Freightliner M2 106 Plus two-door cab and chassis supports this top-mount enclosed pumper, powered by a 375 HP DD8 engine paired with an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission. Features include a Rosenbauer NH 5,000 LPM PTO pump with pump-and-roll capability, a 1,000 IMP G water tank, and an FRC In-Control TGA-400 pressure governor. Department: Munson Fire Department, Alberta

MINI RESCUE

SIDE MOUNT PUMPER

A Ford F-550 4x4 cab and chassis forms the foundation of this mini rescue, powered by a 330 HP 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel paired with a TorqShift 10-speed automatic transmission. It features four-wheel ABS, Hill Start Assist, a supplemental cab heater, a light bar, front warning lights, telescoping scene lights, a siren speaker, tow hooks, running boards, pull-out trays, coffin bins and shelving. Department: New Hazelton Volunteer Fire Department, British Columbia

Built on an International HV 507 cab and chassis, this side-mount pumper is powered by a 400 HP Cummins L9 engine paired with an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission. It features a Rosenbauer N80 split-shaft pump, a 1,500 G water tank, a 20 IMP G foam tank, a FoamPro 1600 low-pressure foam system, a TFT Monsoon remote-control monitor, a Federal Signal light package and FireTech scene lights. Department: Sooke Fire Department, British Columbia

(2) WILDLAND

TANKER

These two wildland apparatus are built on 2024 Ford F-550 84CA chassis, each fitted with an aluminum deck, upgraded suspension and 335/80R20 super single tires. Each features a CET skid and mid-range pump, a 400 G poly tank, a front monitor, a Hannay hose reel, transverse, above-deck and underbody compartments, a full decal package and a Bulletproof front bumper. Department: Sunchild First Nation Fire Department, Alberta

This Rosenbauer tanker is built on a Freightliner 114SD Plus two-door cab and chassis and powered by a 505 HP Detroit Diesel-13 engine paired with an Allison 4500 EVS automatic transmission. It features a Waterous CGVK 750 GPM PTO pump with pump-and-roll capability, a side-mount operator’s panel, a 3,214 IMP G water tank, and a 2.5” left-side intake, two 2.5” left-side discharges. Department: Sundre Fire Department, Alberta

WILDLAND ALLIANCE FIRE PACKAGE

URBAN INTERFACE PUMPER

This wildland apparatus is built on a 2026 Ford F-550 XTL crew cab and chassis and powered by a 350 HP V8 engine with an automatic transmission. It features an Alliance Custom Fabrication ACF400 fire pump skid with B2X-25H 800EFI, a 400 US G water tank, a 10 US G foam cell, a Scotty 4171 foam system, and a Bulletproof front bumper with a 16,500 lb Warn winch. Department: Yellowhead County, Alberta

This apparatus is built on a Freightliner M2 106 Plus 4x4 crew cab and chassis and powered by a 375 HP Detroit DD8 engine paired with an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission. It features a Rosenbauer NH55 1,250 IMP GPM dual-pressure PTO pump with pump-and-roll capability, a 750 IMP G water tank, a 20 IMP G foam tank, and a TFT Hurricane 1,050 IMP GPM remote-control deck gun. Department: Yorkton Fire Protective Services, Saskatchewan

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PHOENIX

66 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PHOENIX

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APPARATUSSHOWCASE (4) ROSENBAUER COMMANDER CUSTOM

COMMANDER CUSTOM RESCUE

All four of London’s new apparatus feature a Rosenbauer EXT body on a Rosenbauer Commander chassis. One variation includes a Hale QMAX-XS 8,000 LPM pump, 600 G water tank and 30 G foam tank, while the other includes a Hale QMAX 1,500 GPM pump, 750 G water tank and 30 G foam tank. The custom tanker features a Hale 8FG 8,000 LPM pump and 2,500 G water tank with 30 G foam tank. Department: London Fire Department, Ontario

Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services’ new custom rescue is built on a Rosenbauer Commander 70” chassis with a 24” raised roof and powered by a 450 HP Cummins L9 engine paired with an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. The truck also features a Rosenbauer FX body with 1,170 cu ft (33 cu m) of compartment space. Department: Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services, Alberta

COMMANDER CUSTOM INDUSTRIAL FOAM PUMPER

PANTHER 6X6 HRET

The Parkland – Burnaby Refinery has taken delivery of a custom pumper that rides on a Rosenbauer Commander chassis. The apparatus features a Rosenbauer EXT body and is equipped with a Rosenbauer N200 6,000 GPM carbon fiber pump, 1,250 G foam tank, Rosenbauer RM130 4,000 GPM deck gun and two Rosenbauer RM80 2,500 GPM rear deck guns. Department: Parkland – Burnaby Refinery, British Columbia

A 700 HP Volvo Penta D-16 engine paired with a Twin-Disc transmission powers Winnipeg Airport Authority’s new Panther 6x6 HRET. The apparatus is outfitted with a Rosenbauer N80 2,100 GPM pump, 3,170 G water tank, 400 G foam tank, 54’ HRET with a Rosenbauer RM80 2,500 GPM turret and piercing nozzle, and a Rosenbauer RM35 1,200 GPM air-aspirated HVLA bumper turret. Department: Winnipeg Airport Authority, Manitoba

COMMANDER CUSTOM 104’ COBRA

COMMANDER CUSTOM PUMPER

This new custom 104’ Cobra pairs a Rosenbauer Commander 60” flat-roof chassis with a 600 HP Cummins X15 engine and Allison 4000 EVS transmission. It features a Rosenbauer EXT body, Rosenbauer N80 2,250 GPM pump, 300 G water tank, 20 G foam tank and a Rosenbauer 104’ Cobra rear-mount platform. Department: Timmins Fire Department, Ontario

Cochrane Fire Services’ new apparatus is built on a Rosenbauer Commander chassis and powered by a 500 HP Cummins X12 engine paired with an Allison 4500 EVS transmission. The pumper is fitted with a Rosenbauer FX body, Rosenbauer N80 8,000 LPM pump, 500 IMP G water tank and a 30 IMP G foam tank. Department: Cochrane Fire Services, Alberta

FREIGHTLINER TANKER

FREIGHTLINER PUMPER

Sundre Fire Department’s tanker pairs a Freightliner 114SD chassis with a 525 HP Detroit Diesel DD13 engine and Allison 4500 EVS transmission. The apparatus also features a Rosenbauer FX body, Waterous CGVK 750 GPM pump, 3,200 IMP G water tank and a TFT Tornado bumper turret. Department: Sundre Fire Department, Alberta

Built on a Freightliner M2-106 chassis for Kerrobert Fire Department, this pumper is powered by a 330 HP Detroit Diesel DD8 engine paired with an Allison 3500 EVS transmission. It features a Rosenbauer FX body, Rosenbauer NH55 1,250 IMP GPM pump, 1,000 IMP G water tank and a 20 IMP G foam tank. Department: Kerrobert Fire Department, Saskatchewan

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN PHOENIX

68 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

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APPARATUSSHOWCASE SVI HAZMAT

WILDLAND 3 MAX

Built by SVI Trucks, this walk-in unit rides on a Spartan Gladiator chassis with a 24” raised roof, powered by a Cummins X15 (605 HP) and Allison 4000 EVS transmission. Onboard, a Command Light Knight 2 (KL Series) light tower and an Onan ProTec PTO generator for scene power wherever the call takes it. Department: Burnaby Fire Department, British Columbia

This Wildland apparatus is built on an International CV 515 crew cab 4x4 and powered by a 350 HP engine paired with an Allison 2750 EVS transmission. Rated to NFPA 1900 Initial Attack and Type 3 standards, it features a Darley JMP 500 twostage pump, Darley 1.5 AG diesel auxiliary pump, 600 IMP G water tank and Trident Foamate ATP system. Department: Parkland County Fire Department, Alberta

(2) RIVER RAPTOR XTR RESCUE RAPTOR RHIB

SMEAL 38M/125’ AERIAL

Built for swift-water rescue, these 18-foot River Raptor XTR’s are powered by a 300 HP BRP Rotax 1630 engine with an inboard jet drive capable of speeds over 80 km/h. Their UHMW-coated aluminum hull and five-chamber inflatable collar are built for shallow water, while a forward centre console and shock-absorbing seat support operator control. See it at OAFC 2026. Department: Ottawa Fire Services, Ontario

This Smeal rear-mount aerial is built on a Spartan Gladiator ELFD chassis and powered by a 565 HP Cummins X15 engine paired with an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. Its four-section steel ladder provides 125’ of vertical reach and an industry-leading 121’ of horizontal reach, while a Waterous CSUC pump flows 7,000 LPM from a 300 IMP G water tank. Department: St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services, Ontario

CUSTOMFIRE INDUSTRIAL PUMPER TANKER

WILDLAND MINI

This machine is built on an International HX620 chassis and powered by a 565 HP Cummins X15 engine paired with an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. It features a Waterous CRU pump rated at 15,000 LPM (4,000 IMP GPM), a 2,500 IMP G water tank, a 500 IMP G foam tank and a top-mounted Williams Fire Ranger deluge monitor. Department: Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service, Ontario

This Iturri-built Wildland mini pumper rides on an International CV 515 chassis and powered by a 350 HP International 6.6L engine paired with an Allison 2750 EVS transmission. Sized for tight access, it features a Hale RSD Flex single-stage pump rated at 1,250 GPM at 150 PSI, a 600 US G poly tank and an Elkhart Brass Brushhawk monitor. Department: Lac St. Anne County Fire Services, Alberta

SMEAL 30M/100’ PLATFORM

(5) SMEAL CUSTOM PUMPER

Built on a Spartan Gladiator EMFD chassis, this 100’ platform is powered by a 565 HP Cummins X15 engine paired with an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. Designed for elevated rescue, ventilation and master stream operations, it features a Waterous CSUC20 pump rated at 8,500 LPM (2,250 IMP GPM) and a 400 IMP G water tank. Department: Cross Roads Fire Department, Prince Edward Island

Surrey’s five new Smeal side-mount pumpers are built on Spartan Metro Star chassis with 10” raised roofs and powered by 500 HP Cummins X12 engines paired with Allison 4000 EVS transmissions. Each features a Waterous CSUC20 pump delivering 1,850 US GPM, a 500 IMP G water tank, a 25 IMP G foam cell and an SG09 idle reduction generator system. Department: Surrey Fire Service, British Columbia

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SAFETEK PROFIRE

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APPARATUSSHOWCASE HEAVY RESCUE

WALK-IN HAZMAT

When spec’ing its new apparatus, Saanich Fire Department chose an 18’ aluminum SVI body mounted on a Spartan Gladiator chassis, which houses a Cummins X12 450 HP engine. This heavy rescue comes with a Lazy Susan style extrication turntable, floor dry storage hopper, Command Light Shadow Series light tower and much more. Department: Saanich Fire Department, British Columbia

This hazmat truck features a 26’ aluminum SVI body mounted on a Spartan Gladiator ELFD chassis and featuring a 500 HP Cummins X12 engine. The walk-in apparatus comes with an interior command center, computer server rack mount, Command Light Knight Series light tower, OnScene Solutions 83 access pro LED lighting, and a Hannay electric cable reel. Department: Edmonton Fire Department, Alberta

HEAVY RESCUE

HAZMAT

This heavy rescue’s 18’ aluminum SVI body is mounted on a Spartan Metro Star LFD with a 10” raised roof chassis and a Cummins X12 500 HP engine. It features an Onan Protec 30K-Watt PTO generator system, a Will-Burt Night Scan Powerlite light tower, and Holmatro Core Hydraulic Power Unit(s). Department: Port Moody Fire Rescue, British Columbia

Burnaby Fire Department spec’d its new apparatus to have a 28’ aluminum SVI body mounted on a Spartan Gladiator chassis housing a Cummins X15 605 HP engine. This hazmat comes with a Bosch Dual-Thermal camera, Eagle 95 G overpack drum, Knight Series Command Light light tower and much more. Department: Burnaby Fire Department, British Columbia

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2026-07-14 1:36 PM

TRAINER’S CORNER

Ed Brouwer is the chief instructor for Canwest Fire in Osoyoos, B.C., a retired deputy chief training officer, fire warden, WUI instructor and ordained disaster-response chaplain. Contact aka-opa@hotmail.com.

By Ed Brouwer

The Aftermath A promise was made that we would never forget what happened that day… but perhaps we should change that to “We will never forget what began to happen that day…” When I developed Firefighter’s Ghost, I made a personal promise to never forget the LODD of our Canadian firefighters. I know I must sound like a broken record, but thousands of present-day Canadian firefighters weren’t alive to witness events like the Horticultural Technologies Fire in Kitchener (March 1987) or the Hamilton Plastimet Recycling Plant Fire (1997). It is in the memory of the emergency responders who lost their health and later their lives in these horrific industrial fire incidents I present this month’s column. HORTICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES AND THE TOXIC AFTERMATH

Thirty-nine years ago, a one story, 1784 square meter concrete block building housed Horticultural Technologies, a manufacturer of oasis floral foam, a hard substance used to hold floral arrangements in place and keep them moist. Manufacturing involved the use

74 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

The immediate headlines do not capture the aftermath that encapsulates the entire devastation.

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PHOTO: EVEJOY/GETTY IMAGES

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attack. By the time you read this, we will be thinking of other things. Although it has been a quarter century, I can still hear the hundreds of PASS alarms going off as the grey dust from the toppled tower settled over everything in its path. A total of 441 first responders died on 9/11: • 343 FDNY firefighters • 37 Port Authority Police Department officers • 23 NYPD officers • 8 EMTs and paramedics • 30-plus other law enforcement and public safety personnel However, that is not the end of the story. The World Trade Center Health Program has tracked thousands of deaths from related cancers and respiratory or digestive diseases. More than 35,000 responders and survivors are currently battling cancers linked to toxic dust exposure. At least 49,000 people have been diagnosed with Ground Zero-related cancers since 2001. Nearly 10,000 program participants have passed away from confirmed 9/11 illnesses, meaning more people have now died from toxic exposure than during the attacks themselves.

of phenol formaldehyde resin, freon gas and phenol sulphonic acid. At 1:03 pm, March 6, 1987, the Kitchener Fire Department (KFD) in Ontario responded to the multiple-alarm fire at Horticultural Technologies. Upon the arrival of the first pumper, commanded by Captain Edward (John) Stahley, it was reported the fire had almost entirely consumed the interior of the manufacturing area of the structure and was about to break through the roof. For more than an hour, firefighters battled the fire, unaware of what chemicals were present. It took the plant manager one hour to arrive with a list of the chemicals in the building. Unfortunately, he did not provide much useful information, other than to explain that they manufactured items for the floral industry, primarily something called Oasis Floral Foam. Firefighters managed to prevent the drums of phenol sulphonic acid from exploding by cooling them with water. The fire progressed through the night, with multiple alarms being called. All but two units in the city were committed to the fire. Smoke and fumes forced the evacuation of about 12 employees from the nearby Overland Express. The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office reported that there were no significant injuries that resulted from the fire at the time, other than Capt. Ed Stahley, who attended the emergency room at Kitchener-Waterloo General Hospital for an examination because he had turned a greenish colour. Apparently, the green dye used in the manufacturing process caused him to take on a green tinge. He was given a clean bill of health at that time. I had the privilege of speaking to firefighter Mark Stahley (Stahley’s son), who was in his second year with KFD at the time of the fire at the Horticultural Technologies. He and his dad passed each other as the first shift

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TRAINER’S CORNER changed. Neither one had any idea of the life changing effects this fire would have on them and their department. Mark told me his dad began his career with KFD on March 6, 1961. Exactly 26 years later, on March 6, 1987, he responded to the fire that would mark the beginning of the end of his career. At first, I had written, “Was the beginning of the end”…but on that day, nobody knew what was coming. And here is that tragic story: It didn’t take long before the firefighters who attended the Horticultural Technologies fire began to die. The first to die was firefighter Dave Ferrede. Ferrede was a fitness and health nut. He was often teased for eating nuts and berries. He was an avid cyclist riding his bike through the winter using studded tires. He, along with many other KFD members, played hockey in the Southern Ontario Firefighter’s Hockey League. Kitchener had a team in the “C” division, which was pretty competitive. In April of 1989, in a divisional title game near the end of the third period, Ferrede scored the winning goal to lock up the divisional title. Two weeks later, at the age of 32, he went on sick leave and was subsequently diagnosed with primary liver cancer. He died within six weeks. Ferrede was the first to die but tragically not the last. He was followed by Stahley, who after being diagnosed with primary liver cancer, died in July 1990 at age 57. During the summer of 1989, Sgt. Lloyd MacKillop of the Waterloo Regional Police Service, who had been the supervising police officer at the fire, developed cancer. He died in May 1990 at age 48. Firefighter John Divo, who was also the local union president, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in his lungs and spine. He died in April 1990 at age 46. Firefighter Henry Lecreux was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He died in February 1993 at age 52. The following spring, William Misselbrook, who was the day-shift platoon chief at the fire, died of liver cancer. He was 64. Several other firefighters who attended the blaze have skin cancers, prostate cancer, Parkinson’s disease and many other health problems. Information gained from the website for

firefighters with Parkinson’s disease showed that 23 of the 69 firefighters called to the blaze have either cancer or Parkinson’s disease. It was also reported that two Kitchener firefighters, a Waterloo regional police constable and a female paramedic all fathered or gave birth to children suffering from various types of birth defects since their attendance at the fire. THE HAMILTON PLASTIMET RECYCLING PLANT FIRE

An old smelting factory called Usarco used mercury to break down some of the metals in the smelting process. A cleanup had been ordered, but before this took place, the owners created a plastic recycling plant in the factory, known as Plastimet. PVC products were brought to this site for shredding and compacting into bales. At the time of the fire, it contained close to 4,000 tonnes of PVC. At approximately 7:00 pm, July 9, 1997, the Hamilton Fire Department was dispatched. Every Hamilton firefighter on duty at some point during the first night responded to this fire incident. The high volume of water being pumped onto the fire — 10,000 GPM —overwhelmed the sewage system and formed large pools of wastewater. It was reported that water rose above the exhaust pipe of the first responding pumper at Wellington and Simcoe St. In some areas, the water was coming up over firefighters’ boots. This was very serious since their feet and legs were being soaked with hydrochloric acid laced water. A heat inversion (warm air off the escarpment meeting cool air coming off the lake) trapped smoke over Hamilton causing a toxic fog. The Ministry of the Environment air tests showed a fivefold rise of benzenes and chlorobenzenes levels. An 11-block radius evacuation was ordered (650 residences and 35 businesses). A state of emergency was declared. By early Friday evening, area hospitals reported an increase in admissions of people, including eight firefighters, with respiratory problems. At 11:00 pm, 20 other firefighters were sent to Hamilton General’s emergency ward. Along with complaints of headaches, dizziness, and nausea, symptoms included nickel-size sores on their faces, hands, feet

76 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

and legs. In the end, 264 of Hamilton’s 400 firefighters had played some role at that scene. Eighty-six per cent of all firefighters at the Plastimet fire reported some health effects; nearly 99 million litres of water were poured on the fire; over 4,000 tonnes of plastic burned for four days and spot fires burned for up to three weeks. Firefighters wearing fully encapsulated suits had to decontaminate every piece of equipment and apparatus that had been on scene. To give you an indication of how severe this was, attending fire apparatus showed major corrosion, with pieces of radiators and the exhaust falling off. In response to the more than 45 firefighters losing time from work and the over 160 who sought medical attention, the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Professional Firefighters Association created a 25-year medical surveillance program. We will never be able to repay them for their sacrifice, but we can honour them by remembering them… becoming their voice, telling their story. We can honour them by learning from their deaths how to survive. We can honour them by raising awareness levels to the grave dangers of exterior operations. We can honour them by studying their LODD and teaching the exact causes of a death to every firefighter nationwide. We can honour them by shifting focus to cancer prevention, cardiac health, and behavioral wellness. We can honour them by not forgetting their families and friends in the aftermath. You can honour them asking yourselves…“What can I learn from this that might bring the next one home?” There’s your purpose. Brothers and sisters, the fire isn’t necessarily over when the apparatus is back in quarters… sometimes the real aftermath doesn’t announce itself for months or years. My usual closing, “train as if lives depend on it, because they do” doesn’t only mean getting everybody home at the end of the shift. It means getting them home 30 years later, too. 4-9-4 @fireincanada

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VOLUNTEER VISION

By Darrell Graham, Fire Chief, Alberton, Prince Edward Island

Darrell Graham is the fire chief of the Alberton Volunteer Fire Department in P.E.I. He joined AVFD in 1992, is a dual seal level 3 instructor at the P.E.I. Fire School and serves on the board of directors for the PEI Firefighters Association. darrellgraham@hotmail.com

DYNAMICS AND COMPOSITION Let’s have a look at a typical volunteer fire department. Most try to maintain 30 members, if possible (good luck). In Atlantic Canada, as with most departments across the country, we are mainly comprised of trades people. In my own department, for example, we have a 31-person complement. Thirteen are trades people, seven are commercial fishermen, five are mechanics, four are paramedics and two are farmers. Twenty-three members work outside of our coverage area and eight within our area. Most of the trades people, farmers and fishermen work in remote locations and are seasonal employment. Even if they do respond, there is a considerable delay, with spring and fall being the times we are short on responders. This is a common theme in rural volunteer fire departments. We are very lucky to be part of a 10-department mutual aid group that we can activate when needed for extra manpower or extra water tankers. Without this amazing group we would all be in a world of pain. For instance, in May we average a sevento-eight-person response during daylight hours. That’s enough to staff one engine, one tanker and the rescue unit. Good numbers for a medical call but not great for a motor vehicle incident or structure fire. In cases like this, our mutual aid partners are vital, but keep in mind that their responding numbers are the same as ours during the busy season. This often entails activating multiple departments to respond to one incident. Now, keep in mind that the responding departments have to be covered so back-filling becomes

The sheer level of expertise in multiple disciplines is literally both mind blowing and crucial.

78 FIREFightingInCanada.com November 2026

an issue. Please don’t take this as me advocating for full-time firefighters in all departments. Small rural communities just cannot financially accomplish this. As we know, communities do all they can to financially support the fire department and its members but there is only so much money in the municipal coffers. This is why you see volunteer firefighters out fundraising all the time. Now on to the best part of having such a diverse group of individuals assembled in one place. The sheer level of expertise in multiple disciplines is literally both mind blowing and crucial. As a volunteer fire chief, the expertise that I have around me on every call is exceptional. I have said time and again, the members of the department make me look good. This is not a platitude or to inflate egos. It’s simply a statement of fact. I can say very confidently that I believe there is not a situation we cannot overcome using the expertise that I have around me and this is a testament to the great members I have. It’s very important to celebrate and mourn with this incredible group of individuals, through weddings, births, major milestones and unfortunately sickness and deaths. The members of the volunteer fire department are what makes it what it is, good and bad. As chief officers, we are just caretakers for a short time. It is our mandate to leave the department in a better position, both in membership and equipment, than when we joined. That is the true measure of success. I will continue to reiterate that as a chief, not only are we

responsible for the physical well-being of the members and their families but their mental health as well. These are the men and women that will leave their families on a moment’s notice to answer a call. They constantly use their everyday skills to fix the trucks or something that is broken around the fire hall to save the department money. You will see them not only at fire department functions but helping at the local parade doing traffic control or helping at the annual festival setting up or breaking down venues. Oftentimes they are also members of other service organizations. They truly are the unsung heroes of the communities in which they live. They live their lives in service to others. As the average age of the volunteer fire service member edges upward — the 2021 Canadian census shows that 32 percent of volunteer firefighters are over the age of 50 — the concern then becomes who will replace them? Volunteering is not as prevalent in the younger generation as it once was. Most young people crave the excitement and convenience of an urban setting. In the next 10 years this will have a profound effect on small rural fire departments. We will all have to start looking at new ways to recruit and retain new members. It is not all doom and gloom. During a recent fundraising event we had members of the public approaching us and telling us how grateful they are that we are there when emergency occurs. We do not seek public recognition, but when it happens, we are again reminded why we do it. Stay safe. @fireincanada

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