Lee Short, Lima Fire’s deputy chief, says the department answered 6,474 calls last year, including 53 structure fires. “Our rescue truck was a 2004 EVI heavy rescue that ran a lot of calls and started showing its age,” he points out. “In 2015, we got a Ford Expedition that we called Rescue 2, which went to structure fires and motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) in order to save wear and tear on the heavy rescue. But, we had to rethink our rescue response and put a game plan together.”

Richmond Township Puts First Michigan-Manufactured Fire Truck in the U.P. Into Service

By Al Petrillo, Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment

June 24. 2026
The Fremont (IN) Fire Department wanted to replace a 2008 CSI Spartan tanker that had outlived its useful life and decided to go with a pumper-tanker that could serve all the non-hydranted areas of its 90-square-mile fire district, as well as complement the department’s first-due rescue-pumper

By Graafschap Fire Department

“It has been to a few fires and proves itself very worthy every time out.”

By Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment

South Haven, MI—Spencer Fire Trucks, a family-owned manufacturer, celebrates 40 years in business in 2026, demonstrating that independent builders remain a critical part of the fire apparatus supply chain.

By JULIE NEWELL Paxton Media Group

May 23, 2026

By Firehouse.com

Spencer Fire Trucks is reaching a significant milestone that represents a distinct strategy as private equity ownership and consolidation change the fire equipment manufacturing market. The family-run company will celebrate 40 years in business in 2026, proving that independent builders are still an essential component of the supply chain for fire gear.