Fire Department News
Industry / Vendor News
Six-month archive
Nearly half of on-duty firefighter deaths are heart-related, Cedars-Sinai study finds
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai reviewed 3,401 on-duty firefighter deaths in U.S. Fire Administration records from 1990 to 2025 and found that 43% were cardiac. The study was published Oct. 21, 2026, in JACC: Advances. From 1990 to 2019, total on-duty deaths fell, but the odds that a death was cardiac rose 2.2% a year. Over the same period, cardiac deaths in the general population fell 1.3% a year. The researchers flag enlarged heart muscle, which exercise stress tests often miss, as a gap in current screening. "Our research shows there may be a blind spot when it comes to routine heart screenings for firefighters in the U.S.," said Alan Kwan, MD, of Cedars-Sinai. If your annual physicals rely on a stress test alone, ask your occupational medicine provider whether cardiac imaging belongs in the protocol.
Spartan recall: drive/pump mode software can cut rear-axle power on KME, Spartan and Gladiator apparatus
Spartan Emergency Response filed NHTSA recall 26V676000 on Oct. 15, 2026, covering 460 potential units: 2025–2026 KME Panther and Predator, 2024–2027 Spartan Metrostar and FC-94, and 2025–2027 Gladiator. A software error can cause the drive/pump mode solenoid to lose pressure, disengaging the pump transfer case and cutting power to the rear axle. That raises the risk of a crash. The remedy is a free software update. Owner letters are scheduled for Dec. 7, 2026. Spartan's recall number is 26018, and owners can call Spartan at 1-517-543-6400. Check VINs on any 2024-or-newer KME, Spartan or Gladiator cab in your fleet and get the software update scheduled.
Virginia Beach EMS reports first-year results of "compassionate billing"
Virginia Beach began billing for EMS transport on July 1, 2025, under a "compassionate billing" model. EMS Chief Jason Stroud presented first-year results to City Council on Oct. 20, 2026. Under the program, 30% of revenue goes to the city's volunteer rescue squads, a total of $4.2 million so far. The city reports that billing revenue has added seven ambulances, paid off prior-year ambulance loans, begun a fleet standardization assessment, and sent 23 EMTs and AEMTs to paramedic training. If you're weighing transport billing, Virginia Beach's model of sharing revenue with volunteer squads and putting it into fleet and paramedic training is worth a look.
Massachusetts will require annual checks for recalled sprinkler heads after the Gabriel House fire
On Oct. 15, 2026, the Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations voted to require annual checks of sprinkler systems for recalled sprinkler heads. Property owners must notify their local fire department when recalled equipment is found and make sure it is promptly replaced. Local fire departments will be able to require additional fire protection measures until the replacement is done. Fall River Fire Captain Joshua Hetzler proposed the change after the July 2025 Gabriel House assisted-living fire in Fall River, which killed 10 people and forced the evacuation of more than 50 other residents. The requirements take effect with the next edition of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, expected early next year. The same package bans welding, grinding and other hot work when winds exceed 15 mph and requires hot-work safety training to be renewed every three years. Recalled-head checks are becoming part of routine inspections, and your department is the one that gets notified. Check how your prevention bureau would track and follow up on those notices.
Cummins L9 fuel-hose recall covers 2021 Sutphen fire trucks and Freightliner/FCCC chassis
Under Cummins campaign C7311, remote fuel-filter hoses on certain Cummins L9 engines may separate. That can cause a fuel leak, which is a fire risk, and an engine stall. Sutphen's filing (NHTSA 26V661000, Oct. 8, 2026) covers 410 2021 Sutphen fire trucks. Cummins dealers will replace the hoses free of charge, and owner letters are scheduled for Dec. 7, 2026. Owners can contact Cummins at 1-800-286-6467 or Sutphen at 1-614-889-1005. A separate Daimler Truck North America filing (NHTSA 26V660000, Oct. 7, 2026) covers 2,592 units with certain Cummins L9 engines. These are 2022–2025 Freightliner M2, 2023 108SD, and Freightliner Custom Chassis XCM/XCR (2022–2027) and XCS/XBS (2024–2027) models. Run the VINs on your L9-powered rigs now. The fix is free at Cummins dealers.
UL FSRI releases Southern California Fires Incident Analysis Report
UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute released its "Southern California Fires Incident Analysis Report" on Oct. 2, 2026. It is the second of two reports the Office of the Governor of California requested after the January 2025 fires, including the Palisades and Eaton fires. The report identifies 175 findings and 266 recommendations. It concludes that outcomes depended on how numerous interconnected systems performed together, not on a single point of failure. Key recommendations focus on community-scale wildfire mitigation, readiness for large wind-driven community conflagrations, situational awareness and operational intelligence, and evacuation and communications interoperability. If your district has wildland-urban interface or conflagration risk, this is a detailed playbook to check your plans against.
NIOSH: Firefighters injured by toxic plume from damaged EV battery
A NIOSH investigation covers an April 2025 Sacramento crash in which a Tesla Model 3's damaged lithium-ion battery went into thermal runaway while the car was being towed. The plume reached firefighters who had already doffed PPE and were off air. Five had serious health effects, and four were still out of work in spring 2026. NIOSH recommends keeping SCBA on inside the hazard zone throughout EV/battery suppression, handling and removal. It also recommends setting hazard zones with a risk-assessment tool, training crews on thermal-runaway signs, and getting prompt medical evaluation after any exposure. Review your EV/battery SOGs so respiratory protection stays on until the vehicle leaves the scene.
Seven Arizona cities join national fire-truck antitrust class action
Tucson, Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Mesa and Peoria have joined about 80 jurisdictions in a federal class action in Wisconsin. The plaintiffs allege that Oshkosh/Pierce, REV Group, Rosenbauer, the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers' Association and private equity firm American Industrial Partners drove up apparatus prices and delivery times. Phoenix says a standard pumper cost about $613,000 in 2020 and $1.15 million in 2025. Arizona's attorney general has opened an investigation. The manufacturers and FAMA deny wrongdoing and attribute the increases to post-pandemic demand. Price and lead-time questions are now in front of a federal court. Watch the case as you plan replacements.
IAFC releases guide for keeping operations running during technology outages
The IAFC's new Digital Capabilities Resilience Guide helps fire and EMS departments keep mission-essential capabilities running when technology systems fail. It lays out five phases of continuity and includes six ready-to-use planning tools. It was developed for the IAFC Terrorism and Homeland Security Committee, and it frames cyber resilience as a leadership responsibility, not just an IT issue. A ready framework for adding tech-outage scenarios to your continuity of operations plan.
E-ONE recalls 301 Typhoon and Cyclone pumpers over a loose power connection
E-ONE is recalling 301 trucks (2024–26 Typhoon N, 2025–26 Cyclone N, 2026 Cyclone II). A loose positive power connection can overheat the wiring harness and busbar. The fix is a free replacement harness and busbar; owner letters are expected Oct 20. NHTSA campaign 26V652000.
UL’s Fire Safety Academy now built into the APS FIRE training system
APS FIRE clients can take UL Research Institutes’ free Fire Safety Academy courses, including fire dynamics, lithium-ion batteries, and WUI, inside the system they already use to track training.
NFPA Urban Fire Forum adopts five position statements
Working with the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, the NFPA Urban Fire Forum adopted statements on wellness and fitness, PFAS research, responsible drone use, fire chief health, and long-term fire service planning.
FEMA Region 4 awards ~$55M in fire grants
FEMA announced nearly $55 million for Southeast fire and EMS agencies in GA, SC, FL, AL, NC, and TN. Coverage cites Region 4 year-to-date allocation at about $127.5 million and a nationwide figure of about $648 million.
MSA launches G1 City Edition SCBA
MSA Safety launched the G1 City Edition SCBA with integrated LUNAR Beacon location technology. Press cites up to about a 1/2 lb weight reduction versus the prior G1 standard configuration and NFPA 1970 (1981 and 1982) 2025 compliance.
FY 2025 SAFER awards window (~$324M)
Anticipated FY2025 SAFER award issuance ~Sep 14–30, 2026; ~$324M / ~190 awards per NOFO summary.
Pattonville (MO) places a Rosenbauer 78-foot Viper aerial ladder quint
ISO Class 1 Pattonville Fire Protection District placed a Rosenbauer 78-foot Viper aerial ladder quint, replacing a 2008 Pierce 75-foot quint moved to reserve.
SCBA upgrade wave (Terre Haute / Oswego / Union County)
Early-Sep local SCBA replacements: Terre Haute ~$1.4M; Oswego $300k grant; Union County GA ~$1.17M SPLOST for 120 MSA packs.
Murfreesboro (TN) ×3 Pierce Ascendant 107' aerials
Three Pierce Ascendant 107' HD aerials; third supports new ladder company at Station 12.