Firetruck Maintenance & Upgrades with Ricky Riley

Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier on this episode of Rig Recon Live as they chat with Ricky Riley, a veteran firefighter with extensive knowledge in fire apparatus. Ricky shares his insights from decades of experience, discussing the importance of apparatus maintenance, the challenges of aging equipment, and the benefits of retrofitting older rigs. The conversation covers various key points, including brake system checks, cooling system care, the implementation of camera systems, and the significance of understanding and maintaining the main components of fire apparatus. Ricky emphasizes the role of daily care for new trucks, the impact of up-to-date lighting and electrical systems, and the necessity for keeping the fleet operational amid long lead times and rising costs. This episode is packed with practical advice for both emergency service veterans and newcomers looking to extend the operational life of their fire apparatus.Chapter Markers:00:00 Introduction and Social Media Shoutout01:16 Meet Ricky Riley: A Career in Firefighting02:36 Challenges in the Fire Apparatus Industry03:16 NFPA Standards and Their Impact06:39 Maintaining and Upgrading Older Apparatus13:04 Parts and Vendor Relationships17:01 Software and Tracking Maintenance26:21 Accidents and Safety Concerns26:43 Technological Innovations in Fire Apparatus28:07 Scene Lighting Challenges and Solutions32:38 Importance of Apparatus Maintenance38:42 Camera Systems in Fire Apparatus47:01 Key Maintenance and Retrofitting Tips50:33 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsMore - https://rigrecon.com/podcast/Send us Fan Mail