Rig Recon Live

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, hosted by Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier, the duo dives into the revolutionary ACE system recently debuted at FDIC by FRC. The discussion focuses on how the Advanced Control Environment (ACE) technology enhances fire apparatus pump controls without replacing the essential pump operator. They explore the history and advancements in pump control technology, safety features, and customization options ...

Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in this episode of Rig Recon Live as they welcome Cole Kleinwolterink, the founder of Fire Training Directory. Cole discusses his background and passion for the fire service, his transition from being a middle school teacher to becoming a full-time firefighter, and his recent promotion to fire lieutenant. He provides an in-depth look at the Fire Training Directory, a centralized, crowdsourced plat...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by Chief Ed Rice to discuss an important and often overlooked aspect of fire service: the prevention and management of fire apparatus accidents. Drawing from Chief Rice's extensive 28-year career with the District of Columbia Fire and EMS department, they explore topics such as fleet management, apparatus design, accident causes and impacts, and essent...

Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier on another episode of Rig Recon Live, featuring special guests Mike Wilbur and Tom Shand, the renowned Apparatus Architects. Dive into the critical aspects of pre-construction conferences for fire apparatus, including weight distribution, safety, and equipment layout. Learn about the complexities of modern fire truck specifications, the impact of long lead times, and best practices for assembling ...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by Drew Newman, Director of Lighting Sales at Will-Burt, to discuss the innovative and versatile lighting solutions offered by Will-Burt. With over 100 years in business and a focus on the fire service industry, Will-Burt is a leader in telescoping masts for various markets, including defense, cellular, broadcasting, and first responders. Drew shares ...

Join hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in this latest episode of Rig Recon Live as they sit down with Adam Graves, Director of First Responder Sales at Valor. Together, they dive into crucial topics like clean cabs, cab configurations, seating options, and air purification technologies in fire and ambulance apparatus. Discover how departments can effectively clean and protect their cabs and understand different seating materials ...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, host Bruce Quick discusses FDIC 2025, joined by Chris Martin (VP or Marketing), and Jason Witmier (Director of Education & New Technology), from Safe Fleet. The episode covers Safe Fleet's extensive involvement at FDIC, including their booths, new products, and hands-on training sessions at Lucas Oil Stadium. The team shares their experiences and provides valuable advice for first-time at...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier chat with Chief David Rhodes, VP of Content and Education, and Editor in Chief of Fire Engineering Magazine. They discuss FDIC 2025, including David's extensive background, the latest training programs, new hands-on workshops, and tips for first-time attendees. David also shares some of his favorite FDIC memories and highlights the collaborative culture of ...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier host Larry Daniels, VP of Global Sales for REV Fire Group. Larry shares his extensive experience in the fire apparatus industry and discusses key topics including lead times, cost management, and ways to simplify the production of fire trucks. He also delves into the challenges the industry has faced since COVID-19, the importance of modular design, and how end users ...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by Danny Graham, Director of Sales at Kussmaul Electronics. They delve into the innovations Kussmaul is bringing to the fire and emergency services industry, including battery chargers, auto ejects, and idle mitigation systems. Danny explains the differences between IRS and IMS, how idle mitigation can prolong vehicle life and enhance safety, and the ...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier explore the critical topic of Winter Apparatus Operations, focusing on how cold weather affects fire apparatus and firefighter operations. Learn about the impact of freezing temperatures on pumps, plumbing, walking surfaces, and other vital systems, and discover practical methods to prevent damage, such as circulating water and running a dry pump. The discussion...

In this episode of Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier dive into the world of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association (FAMA). Joined by FAMA President Gary Pacilio, they discuss the organization's mission, its crucial role in the emergency vehicle industry, and its influence on safety standards, government advocacy, and industry technology. The discussion also highlights the upcoming 2025 Apparatus Design Sympos...

Welcome to another episode of Rig Recon Live! Hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier dive deep into the complexities of aerial apparatus specifications with the expert insights of Fire Chief Larry Di Camillo. Larry, with his extensive experience from the Houston Fire Department to his current role as Fire Chief for the City of Stafford, Texas, shares his thoughts on the impact of evolving technology on fire truck specs, the importance...

Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in this episode of Rig Recon Live as they delve into the newly released NFPA 1900 standard. They discuss its origins, significance, and key changes, including apparatus requirements, vehicle data recorders, electronic stability control, electric fire trucks, backup cameras, and more. Gain insights into how these standards impact fire departments and apparatus manufacturers, and learn about the rev...

Join hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in this comprehensive episode of Rig Recon Live, where they discuss the critical aspects of fire pump sizing for fire apparatus. Learn about the evolution of pump sizes, the importance of GPM ratings, and the impact of different operation conditions like pressurized sources versus draft. 

Discover how to balance pump capabilities for everyday use and worst-case scenarios, while cons...

Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in Episode 3 of Rig Recon Live as they delve into the complex world of foam systems, featuring guest Dan Tyrrell, a foam product specialist from Safe Fleet. Gain insights into the controversies surrounding Class B foam, groundwater contamination issues related to PFAS, and how new fluorine-free foams are being adopted. 

This episode also covers Class A foams, debunking misconceptions abou...

Join co-hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in Episode 2 of Rig Recon Live, as they dive into the critical topic of scene lighting on fire apparatus. Jason, a seasoned expert, breaks down the intricacies of lighting technology, from lumens and lux to the difference between raw and effective lumens. They discuss the importance of selecting the right lighting, the impact of lens technology, and key considerations when speccing new ap...

Introducing Rig Recon Live!

Join hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in the pilot episode of Rig Recon Live, presented by Safe Fleet. Learn about the mission and content of Rig Recon, a platform designed to educate the fire service industry about various apparatus components. Jason provides insights from his 33-year firefighting career and his current role at Safe Fleet, while Bruce discusses his transition into the fire industry an...