Dec. 21, 2022 Starting Monday, Pittsburgh firefighters will be automatically dispatched with EMS.

By Justin Vellucci Source The Tribune-Review, Greensburg (TNS) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Dec. 21—Pittsburgh Public Safety is looking to get more hands on deck when a shooting takes place in the city.

Effective Monday morning, Pittsburgh firefighters will respond, along with police and EMS, to all crime scenes involving gunshot wounds, Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt told the Tribune-Review. Previously, firefighters only responded to mass casualty situations, or scenes involving multiple gunshot victims.

“They will be there to support the police and EMS,” Schmidt said. “I think this also provides our firefighters with some experience in trauma situations so, if there is a mass shooting, they’re more prepared.”

“It’s all about providing the best service to the communities we serve,” he added.

The new plan is in no way a response to Pittsburgh currently experiencing a spike in homicides and gun violence, Schmidt said.

The plan pre-dates Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration and has been vetted by Acting Police Chief Thomas Stangrecki, Fire Chief Darryl Jones, and EMS Chief Ron Romano, Schmidt said. It also had been reviewed with each division’s respective union.

All Pittsburgh firefighters are trained at the level of an EMT, a step below a paramedic, and they know their way around a crime scene, said Ralph Sicuro, president of Pittsburgh Firefighters Local Union #1. Some firefighters have sought certification as paramedics, and the department employs some firefighters trained as nurses.

City firefighters were medically trained as early as the 1980s, and have been certified as EMTs since training for that started around 2005, he said.

“Any time you have an existing resource being used to help with citizens, I think that’s a positive,” Sicuro told the Tribune-Review.

Robert Swartzwelder — president of Pittsburgh’s police officers’ union, Fraternal Order of Police Local #1 — supported Schmidt’s move to send city firefighters to all shootings.

“I think it’s a smart move, to assist with citizens when there’s a mass casualty situation,” he said. “The three emergency response units were always designed to work together.”

The EMS union, Fraternal Association of Professional Paramedics Local #1, could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

Dec. 21, 2022 Union Fire & Hose Co. Chief Troy M. Dettinger, 55, died on Nov. 30.

Source Firehouse.com News

 A Pennsylvania fire chief died last month hours after responding to a call.

Union Fire & Hose Co. Chief Troy M. Dettinger, 55, returned home after helping at an ambulance call about 1:23 a.m. Nov. 30.

When he didn’t show up for work later that morning, police went to check on him. He was found dead of an apparent heart attack, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. 

Dettinger had been a volunteer for 29 years. 

Dec. 20, 2022 Longtime Fire Engineering editor and FDIC conference director Bobby Halton has passed away.

Source Firehouse.com News

A familiar face at fire service conferences across the country, Bobby Halton, has passed away. 

He began his fire service career with the Albuquerque, NM, Fire Department and held many ranks before he retired as chief of operations in 2004.

He was named fire chief in Coppell, TX, and worked there for a year before being named editor-in-chief of Fire Engineering Magazine. He later took on the role of education director for the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC).

He was later promoted to vice president and educational director. 

He was active in many fire service organizations, including the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, UL Fire Safety Research Institute, Columbia Southern University, and served on several National Fire Protection Association technical committees.

“Through his writings and teachings, Bobby has changed the way firefighters think, train and respond to today’s emergencies,” said Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews. “Bobby has helped countless firefighters create a solid foundation for their time in the fire service and prepared countless fire officers for the known and unknown challenges they will face throughout their career.”

“This one hurts,” said Firefighter Cancer Support Network Director Bryan Frieders. “Bobby Halton was not only a fire legend, but he was the biggest supporter of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. More importantly, he was my good friend – and I will miss him terribly. Thank you Bobby Halton for always being there.”

Billy Goldfeder, Firehouse’s Close Calls columnist and author of several Fire Engineering Books under Halton remembered him, saying: “Bobby represented every firefighter. Small town, big town – he didn’t care – his passion ran through every rank and type of service, so when he spoke to communities, elected officials and those who needed to hear about what ‘we’ do, Bobby had our backs. Each and every time. He was also a close personal friend to so many of us who have fought cancer, getting us through a battle he knew all too well. I’m still trying to process this loss because, after all his own medical battles, the ones that Bobby won every single time – I just didn’t think he was ever going anywhere…but now God needs him more. Thank you so much for everything Bobby. Everything. Love you Brother.” 

“Bobby was certainly committed to the fire service, and he wanted firefighters to be the best operationally. There will be a hole to fill…” said Ron Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. 

Longtime fire service veteran Steve Austin said of Halton: “Training and safety were paramount to him. He also was a strong believer in brotherhood and sisterhood of the fire service.”

Austin said Halton was a trooper who kept going and wouldn’t let anything sideline him. “Even as he battled his own medical challenges, he never missed a beat. He was there when you needed him…”

National Volunteer Fire Council Deputy CEO Dr. Candice McDonald remembered him fondly. “All of us at the NVFC are deeply saddened by this incredible loss. Chief Bobby Halton was a trail blazer, a passionate advocate and spokesperson for the fire service and a true friend of the NVFC.”

McDonald, who also is president of Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association, also lauded him for his activity on other fronts. “His support of volunteers has had an incredible impact, as has his work to advance and promote women in the fire service. It is now up to all of us to carry on his legacy.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and the entire fire service community as we process this news.”

Frank Leeb, Deputy Assistant Chief, FDNY, said: “Chief Bobby Halton is without question one of the most influential leaders of our generation. His transformation of FDIC and how firefighters learn and train will forever be part of his enduring legacy. A good friend of mine and the FDNY – he will be sorely missed. 

Tuesday afternoon, FDNY released a Tips from Training to remember Halton. Download it here.

You can read Halton’s columns and articles here.

Dec. 19, 2022 Greensboro firefighters are urging motorists to slow down and move over.

Source Firehouse.com News

Greensboro firefighters miraculously escaped serious injury Monday morning when their rig was hit by a tractor-trailer on I-85 north near US 421.

Crews were operating on the highway at another crash the fire truck was hit, WFMY reported.

The Greensboro Police Department said the truck driver, Marqui’se Dai’quaan Arrington, is facing charges of failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision and careless and reckless driving. 

Dec. 15, 2022 The delivery included 11 Type 2 Chevrolet 3500 vans and 17 Type 1 Ford F450 modular ambulances.

Source firehouse.com News Related To: Wheeled Coach Industries, Inc.

WINTER PARK, FLORIDA – December 15, 2022 – Wheeled Coach, a brand of REV Ambulance Group Orlando, Inc., a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc., and a premier manufacturer of ambulances for municipal and commercial departments, announces the delivery of 28 new ambulances to Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) for use at their facility in Ahmadi, Kuwait.

The delivery included 11 Type 2 Chevrolet 3500 vans and 17 Type 1 Ford F450 modular ambulances.  The ambulances were sold to KOC by Wheeled Coach’s official representative in Kuwait, Yusuf A. Alghanim & Sons Co, and were built on chassis that were supplied by Alghanim & Sons Co.  The vehicles were outfitted with key features, including Wheeled Coach’s signature Cool-Bar^®, a patented external condenser that greatly increases airflow, and exclusive Per4Max^® seatbelts, a four-point restraint system with controlled deceleration that allows the crew mobility while being safely buckled in.  The ambulances were designed and built-in accordance with U.S. Triple-K standards. 

“We are proud to have had the opportunity to partner with Yusuf A. Alghanim & Sons Co to provide Kuwait Oil Company with this fleet of Wheeled Coach ambulances,” said George Petropoulos, Vice President of Sales, REV Ambulance Group.  “Wheeled Coach has a legacy of providing American quality and durability to EMS providers across the globe.”

About REV Ambulance Group Orlando, Inc.

Wheeled Coach is a brand of REV Ambulance Group Orlando, Inc., a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc. and is a premier manufacturer of Type I, Type II, Type III and Medium-Duty ambulances for municipal and commercial emergency departments. Built to perform under the most demanding conditions, Wheeled Coach ambulances deliver mission-critical durability. Wheeled Coach leads the industry with more firsts than any other ambulance manufacturer, including being the first to conduct IHS Side Impact Criteria Crash and Roll-Over Testing. It manufactures a full line of ambulances at its production facility in Winter Park, Florida. Since 1975, Wheeled Coach has been Trusted by the Toughest^®.

About REV Group, Inc.

REV Group companies are leading designers and manufacturers of specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services, which serve a diversified customer base, primarily in the United States, through three segments: Fire & Emergency, Commercial, and Recreation. They provide customized vehicle solutions for applications, including essential needs for public services (ambulances, fire apparatus, school buses, and transit buses), commercial infrastructure (terminal trucks and industrial sweepers), and consumer leisure (recreational vehicles). REV Group’s diverse portfolio is made up of well-established principal vehicle brands, including many of the most recognizable names within their industry. Several of REV Group’s brands pioneered their specialty vehicle product categories and date back more than 50 years. REV Group trades on the NYSE under the symbol REVG. Investors-REVG