Rig Recon Live

Elkhart Brass, FRC, FoamPro, ROM
  • 4.4 (5)
  • Education
  • Updated Monthly

Obsessed with Fire Trucks? We are too! Join us on Rig Recon Live as co-hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss the industry's hottest topics. Featuring the industry's top names, this podcast covers everything apparatus related including new products, spec designs, fire truck tactics, industry headlines, and much more. Make sure you sign up for notifications as new episodes release monthly.

  1. 1d ago ·  Video

    Designing Your First New Rig in 30 Years with Chief Jon Poitras & Limestone Fire Dept.

    Rig Recon Live hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier talk with Chief Poitras of the Limestone Fire Department in northern Maine about ordering the department’s first new fire truck in 30 years. Poitras shares his background as a third-generation chief and fleet mechanic, outlines Limestone’s rural coverage (including contracted service to Caswell) and reliance on water shuttle due to limited, low-flow hydrants, and explains how call trends drove them to design a rescue-style pumper. The committee gathered member input, studied neighboring rigs, and prioritized safety, efficiency, and “boots on the ground” features like speed lays, pull-out trays, accessible hard suction, a powered ladder rack, extensive LED scene lighting, roll-up doors, and a trash line. They chose a Metal Fab body on an International HV607 chassis, discussed technology upgrades (electronic governor, air primer, tank gauges, Fireman’s Friend fill valve, automatic transmission), budgeting to a $540,000 cash purchase, procurement/negotiation lessons, and plans to return to a long-term replacement rotation. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Used Truck Workarounds 01:13 Show Intro and Guest 01:54 Chief Poitras Background 04:37 Keeping Old Rigs Running 05:33 Department and Coverage Area 08:17 Why a New Truck Now 10:05 From Used to Custom Spec 11:55 Spec Process and Priorities 14:18 Safety and Efficiency Features 19:07 Learning New Tech 20:19 Big Tech Upgrades 21:47 Automatic Transmission Shift 22:51 Automatic Transmission Benefits 23:40 Tank Gauges Upgrade 24:28 Firemans Friend Valve 26:09 Chassis Builder Selection 28:29 Spec Revisions And Fitment 32:01 Bidding Versus Negotiation 35:28 Budget Cuts And Addons 40:31 Replacement Rotation Planning 45:00 Top Three Takeaways 47:43 Closing Remarks And Wrap More - https://rigrecon.com/podcast/ Send us Fan Mail

  2. Sep 4 ·  Video

    Pump Panel Design: New Technologies and Best Practices

    Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss fire apparatus pump panel design, emphasizing end-user specifications that improve usability, maintenance, and apparatus size. They compare manual push-pull valves, rack-and-sector, and handwheel controls, highlighting mechanical advantage, slow-close requirements, handle locking, and layout tradeoffs that can affect wheelbase. They address electric valves, explaining past reliability issues, modern redesigns for high-pressure wet environments, a 10-year electronics/gear warranty, added cost, cleaner/smaller panels, diagrammatic layouts, and advanced position/auto functions. The episode covers plumbing considerations such as realistic bend expectations, drain placement to prevent frozen gauges/sensors, and where pressure gauges are tapped to avoid misleading readings. They review crosslay swivel placement options and “cheater” hose sections, then explain flow meter benefits and requirements, including straight-run needs and multi-point calibration for accuracy. Final advice stresses standardization flexibility, realistic valve sizing/flow expectations, testing, and keeping panels intuitive for operators. Chapter Markers:  00:00 Electric Valves Evolution 01:12 Show Intro and Where to Listen 01:35 Pump Panel Design Overview 02:01 Why Specs Still Matter 03:09 Manual Valves and Water Hammer 04:41 Push Pull Setup Tips 07:00 Panel Layout vs Apparatus Size 08:32 Handwheel Controls Pros and Cons 10:30 Electric Valves Benefits 14:07 Diagrammatic Panels and Smart Controls 15:46 Plumbing Layout and Gauge Taps 19:53 Sponsor Break 20:17 Crosslay Swivel Placement Options 23:34 Flow Meters Benefits and Limits 28:21 New Tech and Display Features 31:37 Top Three Takeaways 35:08 Wrap Up and Final Plug More - https://rigrecon.com/podcast/ Send us Fan Mail

  3. Aug 21 ·  Video

    Cost Control: Balancing Needs and Budgets in Specing a Fire Truck

    On Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier follow up their episode on rising apparatus costs by outlining practical ways departments can control the price of their next rig. They discuss using OEM “stock,” “retail,” or program units with common options instead of extensive customization, and emphasize that labor-intensive features can raise costs, using roll-up versus hinged compartment doors as an example. They note new technology isn’t always more expensive, citing FRC’s Radiant lighting redesign as brighter and less costly than Spectra. They recommend aligning body and pump house designs with OEM standard sizes and components, asking what is truly needed (including valve sizing and number of discharges), and communicating early with multiple OEMs. They warn that late spec changes and change orders can become very costly due to backlogs, engineering “stage gates,” and already-purchased parts. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Why Before You Spec 01:28 Show Intro and Setup 03:17 Program Units Explained 05:46 Saving on Doors 07:50 Tech That Lowers Cost 10:07 Standard Body Dimensions 11:56 Pump Panel Cost Choices 15:23 Sponsor Break 17:14 Avoid Change Orders 21:34 Top Three Takeaways 23:17 Design for 80 Percent 24:21 Wrap Up and Next Steps More - https://rigrecon.com/podcast/ Send us Fan Mail

  4. Aug 7 ·  Video

    Navigating the Rising Costs of Fire Apparatus

    In this episode of Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier break down why fire apparatus costs have risen sharply in recent years and why comparisons to mass-produced cars miss the reality of highly customized, labor-intensive fire truck builds. Using real examples, they note a custom pumper that cost about $625,000 in 2015 versus a similar well-equipped stock unit around $925,000 today, with aerials now commonly $1.5M+ and tractor-drawn aerials nearing $2M. They attribute increases to higher labor and employer healthcare costs, specialized training demands, COVID-era workforce and parts shortages that created production backlogs amid record orders, and looming 2027 emissions changes expected to add about $100,000 plus costly redesigns. They also discuss NFPA safety-driven requirements and how Capitol Hill hearings and ongoing litigation may further pressure prices, previewing a future episode on cost-control options when speccing trucks. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Finding Common Ground 01:39 Show Intro and Where to Listen 02:05 Why Apparatus Costs Matter 03:06 Disclaimers and Dual Perspective 05:22 How Much Prices Rose 07:22 Why Trucks Aren’t Cars 11:11 Labor and Healthcare Costs 14:33 Skilled Labor Training Gap 15:20 COVID Boom and Supply Crunch 19:04 2027 Emissions Engine Changes 23:10 NFPA Rules and Safety Adders 26:33 Capitol Hill and Litigation 29:35 Wrap Up and Next Episode Teaser More - https://rigrecon.com/ Send us Fan Mail

  5. Jul 24 ·  Video

    Fire Apparatus Camera Systems: Requirements, Retrofitting, and Reality

    In this Rig Recon Live episode, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss fire apparatus camera systems, starting with code requirements: backup cameras moved from an NFPA 1901 appendix recommendation to a requirement in NFPA 1900 effective January 2024, while older rigs aren’t required to be updated unless certain refurbishments apply. They explain retrofit options, especially wireless systems, and common issues like incorrect power taps, signal interference, and glitches at high speeds. The hosts compare single, two-, three-, and four-camera setups and explain 360-degree and six-camera systems that blend images for better corner visibility, including an “outrigger view” feature for aerials. They cover recording capabilities, storage, cloud/upload challenges, local retention laws, and argue recording can protect departments, noting video/ambulance use and HIPAA concerns. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Why Cameras Matter 01:24 Show Intro Housekeeping 01:52 NFPA Backup Camera Rules 04:11 Retrofit Older Apparatus 06:49 Wireless Setup Pitfalls 09:31 Choosing Camera Configs 12:55 360 Birdseye Systems 16:39 Recording Basics Storage 19:12 Why Record Liability Proof 20:24 Cloud Upload Live View 24:38 Legal HIPAA Concerns 26:58 Top Takeaways Wrap Up More - https://rigrecon.com/podcast/ Send us Fan Mail

  6. Jul 10 ·  Video

    Secure Hose Storage: Best Practices and Safety Tips

    Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss hose bed storage and hose retention systems on fire apparatus, focusing on attack and supply hose and what NFPA requires. They explain how incidents—including a crosslay launching and damaging vehicles and a fatal case where a five-inch coupling killed a child—drove NFPA to add mid-cycle retention requirements, later broadened, and how hose storage moved from minimum hose amounts to minimum cubic footage. They cover practical design and deployment considerations such as varying true hose diameters by manufacturer, packing methods affecting storage space and nozzle placement, securing bumper wells and crosslays, slide-out trays, and simple retention options like Velcro straps versus tarps, lids, or doors. For supply hose, they emphasize coupling clearance, heavier retention needs, and cover/door tradeoffs. Key takeaways: plan for future hose changes, don’t remove retention, and design systems that reduce climbing and work. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Tragedy Sparks Change 01:21 Show Intro and Housekeeping 02:06 Hose Beds Overview 02:53 NFPA Rules and History 06:43 Sizing Hose Storage Right 09:06 Attack Hose Wells and Lids 10:47 Loading Crosslays Safely 14:42 Retention Systems That Deploy Fast 18:42 Nozzle Fit and Crosslay Design 19:30 Supply Hose Storage Basics 21:23 Supply Hose Retention and Covers 25:19 Top Three Takeaways and Wrap More - https://rigrecon.com/podcast/ Send us Fan Mail

  7. Jun 26 ·  Video

    Why Apparatus Weight Matters?

    Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss why fire apparatus weight matters beyond OEM specs, emphasizing liability after crashes, vehicle longevity, and handling safety. They explain how NFPA requires OEMs to weigh the finished truck with full fluids and account for fixed items, personnel (250 lbs per seat), and estimated equipment by storage volume, but not the real-world variability of loaded compartments and hose choices. They highlight how exceeding planned hose loads—especially five-inch supply hose—can quickly add hundreds of pounds, and why users must communicate actual intended loads to the OEM. They recommend using FEMA’s Apparatus Cube Calculator to estimate equipment weight/volume and plan distribution left-to-right and front-to-back to avoid skating, longer stopping distances, and rollover risk, especially on aerials, rescues, tankers, and mini pumpers. They note ROM roll-up doors can reduce overall weight, warn that being underweight can hurt ride/braking, and close with takeaways: be transparent with OEMs, weigh trucks in service (and recheck over time), and replace tires after seven years per date code. Chapter Markers:  00:00 Liability When Overweight 01:30 Show Intro Housekeeping 02:13 Why Apparatus Weight Matters 04:27 NFPA Weighing Basics 07:46 Hose Loads Can Surprise 09:49 Planning Tools Cube Calculator 13:22 Balancing Weight For Safety 15:57 Which Rigs Are Most At Risk 18:13 Roll Up Doors Weight Savings 20:04 Underweight And Mini Pumpers 23:22 Three Takeaways And Wrap Up Send us Fan Mail

  8. May 8

    Fire Truck Refurbs with Bulldog Fire Apparatus

    On Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier talk with Jason Davis of Bulldog about fire apparatus refurbishments and how “refurb” can range from repainting and reconfiguring compartments to new chassis, rebuilt engines/transmissions, aerial teardown/inspection, and even replacing frame rails. Davis explains Bulldog’s process involving sales, in-house engineering, fabrication, and paint, noting that refurbs often reveal hidden issues like corrosion only found after disassembly, requiring clear upfront communication. They discuss re-chassis projects, typically using Spartan, with raw chassis lead times around six months to a year, plus complications from modern emissions packaging and multiplex electrical systems that may not interface with older body controls. Savings versus new can be roughly 20–40% depending on scope, and they close with top considerations: budget, trusted vendor capability, and timeline. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Refurb Demand Rising 01:30 Rig Recon Live Intro 01:54 Meet Jason Davis 03:20 What Refurb Really Means 05:33 Common Refurb Types 07:03 Rechassis Process 07:59 Hidden Surprises Found 09:43 Chassis Lead Times 10:43 Cost Versus New Rig 13:38 Codes Emissions Wiring 17:58 Paint Matching Pitfalls 20:21 Fabrication Capabilities 23:35 Facilities Storage Workflow 25:31 Misconceptions Frame Rails 28:47 Top Three Takeaways 32:34 Final Thoughts Wrap Up More - https://rigrecon.com/podcast/ Send us Fan Mail

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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Obsessed with Fire Trucks? We are too! Join us on Rig Recon Live as co-hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss the industry's hottest topics. Featuring the industry's top names, this podcast covers everything apparatus related including new products, spec designs, fire truck tactics, industry headlines, and much more. Make sure you sign up for notifications as new episodes release monthly.

Information

  • Creator
    Elkhart Brass, FRC, FoamPro, ROM
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rig Recon Live
  • Show Website
    Rig Recon Live

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