company/association news
HOLMATRO became a Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) official supplier and will provide its latest hydraulic cutting and spreading equipment to FIA sanctioned circuits worldwide. As part of the new agreement, Holmatro will work with the FIA Safety and Medical departments to provide equipment along with training to support local crews and ensure the highest standards. In addition, FIA National Sporting Authorities will have direct access to FIA-approved and -standardized Holmatro rescue equipment for its racing series. Having supplied tools for the IndyCar safety team since 1991, Holmatro has become a leader in manufacturing rescue equipment to assist in the quick and safe extrication of race drivers following incidents on track. www.holmatro.com.
TOYNE sent a new customized pumper to the Knox-Center Township (IN) Volunteer Fire Department. This is the department’s second Toyne-tailored apparatus and was needed to replace an older engine in the fleet. Specialized equipment on the Toyne apparatus will greatly increase the department’s firefighting capabilities. Toyne customized the bolted, stainless-steel pumper mounted on a Spartan Metro Star MFD chassis to fit the department’s needs. A 450-horsepower Cummins ISL 9 engine powers the pumper, and the powertrain includes an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. Water is stored in a UPF 500-gallon tank and features an Innovative Controls tank gauge. www.toyne.com.
THE YOCHA DEHE FIRE DEPARTMENT (YDFD) and its regional partner agencies were honored by the Yocha Dehe Tribal Council, the citizens of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yolo County community members and leaders at its 10th-annual YDFD Awards Luncheon at its fire station in Brooks, California. The event also commemorated YDFD’s 15 years of service since its formation. The luncheon included the presentation of YDFD’s annual awards, which are determined by a vote of YDFD firefighters. Among the awards, YDFD Chief Gary Fredericksen presented the Firefighter of the Year Award to Firefighter/Paramedic Charlie Jahelka. www.yochadehe.org/tribal-government/yocha-dehe-fire-department.
names in the news
MIKE KIRKO was announced as the new chief of the Homer (AK) Volunteer Fire Department. Kirko takes over for former Chief Robert Purcell, who was acting as interim chief, and he replaces former Chief Terry Kadel. Kirko was previously the chief and CEO for North Whidbey Fire and Rescue in Oak Harbor, Washington, where he supervised a crew of six on Whidbey Island. After working his way up as a volunteer, he was chief and emergency management director for the Skagway (AK) Fire Department for five years.
DUANE NELSON was announced as the new chief of the Idaho Falls (ID) Fire Department. Nelson joined the department in 1997 and had served as its interim chief for nearly five months in 2014 before former chief Dave Hanneman was hired. One of his first duties as chief is to work on the budget for the year. Nelson states that one of his personal goals as chief is to focus on behavioral health issues for first responders. He is also a firefighter with the Idaho Army National Guard. Nelson plans to retire from the military this summer.
BRIAN ALLARD was sworn in as the new chief of the Goffstown (NH) Fire Department (GFD) on June 26. He takes over the job from GFD Captain (Ret.) Steve Tower, who was appointed in March as interim chief following the retirement of former Chief Richard O’Brien. Allard previously volunteered with the Pelham (NH) Fire Department before joining the GFD in 2006, where he worked for one year before moving on to the Salem (NH) Fire Department. Between 2007 and 2018, Allard held the ranks of firefighter, firefighter paramedic, emergency medical services (EMS) coordinator, lieutenant, and director of EMS in Salem.
