The Anatomy of a Test Question, Part 2: Preparation
By Kevin Roberts Last time we left off with a discussion of Technician A and Technician B questions. Clearly, this makes the question do the work of two questions. Instead of needing to know a single fact, the test taker must evaluate the statements of both techs....
Darley Delivers Tactical Pumper to Cassie (TX) VFD
The Cassie (TX) Volunteer Fire Department covers 24 square miles of Texas hill country and two lakes in Burnet County Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 2 with a paid chief and 16 volunteer firefighters operating out of one station. Chief Derrick Curtis says the...
The Anatomy of a Test Question, Part 1
By Kevin Roberts When I was young, I found speaking in public to be, well, petrifying. That is not much of an exaggeration, for I would literally freeze up at times when called upon to speak. It took a significant amount of effort and experimentation throughout my...
The Test Taker vs. the Mechanic
By Kevin Roberts If you run a shop, you will need technicians. This article will discuss recognizing, hiring, and managing technicians, including the need for certification. As mentioned in the previous article, most of us in the emergency vehicle field are aware of...
ARTICLES
Darley Delivers Tactical Pumper to Cassie (TX) VFD
The Cassie Volunteer Fire Department wanted a vehicle that was small enough and agile enough to get to its waterfronts.
Ask the Engineer: Wayne Hable
What is the most cost-effective way of driving a 1,500 gallon-per-minute (gpm) ratable NFPA 1900 compliant fire pump in a new fire truck?
The Test Taker vs. the Mechanic
This article will discuss recognizing, hiring, and managing technicians, including the need for certification. Most of us in the emergency vehicle field are aware of two types of techs. There is the old school, experienced “mechanic” who oozes mechanical aptitude. Then there is one who gains knowledge simply by reading the service information.
Fire Apparatus Technology: The Impact on Repair and Maintenance
This article will explore the impact of fire apparatus technology on repair and maintenance practices and how fire departments can adapt to keep their vehicles in good operational condition.
PRESS RELEASES
Darley Recognized as a US Best Managed Company
Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies.
REV Group Announces Annual Training Conference for EVTs
Registration is now open for Rev Group’s annual Fire Truck Training Conference (FTTC), held in Lansing, Michigan, September 21-26, 2025.
San Bernardino County (CA) FPD Orders 10 Modular-Designed KME Pumpers
These units will be put into service immediately and then used as reserves once more customized fire apparatus are delivered.
Darley Defense Releases New Defense Capabilities Brochure
This brochure showcases Darley defense’s unique advantages, including its rich history as a family-owned small business.
APPARATUS GALLERY
VIDEOS
Inside Darley: March/April 2025
This month, Paul Darley discusses FDIC 2025, Darley’s biggest fire trade show, which is just five weeks away. Darley also discusses company updates and new products. The TAGRS system for the U.S. Marine Corps is a game-changer for defense customers, he says.
Inside Darley: January/February 2025
This month, Paul Darley shares the latest additions to the company’s Defense Advisory Board; record milestone hitting $1 billion in sales for 2024; key partnerships with federal agencies; and the latest developments in artificial intelligence.
Inside Darley: November/December 2024
This month Darley shares takeaways from its annual management meeting where 2025 business plans and strategic goals were discussed. Also discussed were resources your team can use in their planning, three key themes of focus at its annual Fire Advisory Board meeting, recent additions to Team Darley, and the winners of the annual Thought Leadership Essay Contest for 2024.
Inside Darley: September/October 2024
This month, we’re sharing our Fall-Winter issue of the Darley Times where you can read more about our latest contracts with Sourcewell and the DoD, our new CFO, Lee Wise who has joined Team Darley, and information about our upcoming Pump Academy, taking place at our Chippewa Falls facility October 8th to the 10th. You can also read the latest industry report on the top 100 defense contractors in 2023 where Darley came in at 48th with sales of $953 million. We also share updates from FAMA for 2Q24 apparatus orders as well as the latest assessments from the BLM on North American seasonal wildfires.
Inside Darley: July/August 2024
This month we’re sharing what CEOs are reading this summer, six important areas that separate the best CEOs from others, important topics that Team Darley have been learning about in partnership with The Leadership Podcast, a recap of our Annual Defense Sales Conference, upcoming events that Team Darley will be attending this summer, such as the 15th Annual NDIA Great Lakes Conference, and we’re sharing the latest update to our new e-commerce site!
Inside Darley: May/June 2024
This month we are sharing exciting updates from our biggest tradeshows across fire and defense, important updates regarding the H5N1 bird flu, the latest firefighting and municipal contract developments, legislation, and our third annual essay competition held in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
LATEST
Darley Recognized as a US Best Managed Company
Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies.
The Anatomy of a Test Question, Part 2: Preparation
Studying for a certification test need not be a three-hour marathon. It is better to learn two new word definitions than to try to learn 20.
REV Group Announces Annual Training Conference for EVTs
Registration is now open for Rev Group’s annual Fire Truck Training Conference (FTTC), held in Lansing, Michigan, September 21-26, 2025.
San Bernardino County (CA) FPD Orders 10 Modular-Designed KME Pumpers
These units will be put into service immediately and then used as reserves once more customized fire apparatus are delivered.
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RIGS
Ocala (FL) Fire Rescue Welcomes Groundbreaking Addition to Fleet
Vancouver (WA) FD Replaces Tractor Drawn Aerial With New KME Tiller
EV Tech Talk: What Happens When You Shift Out of Road Mode Into Pump Mode?
Equipment
EV Tech Talk: What Happens When You Shift Out of Road Mode Into Pump Mode?
Fire department training divisions should include some input from the mechanical division. As a mechanic, I can’t teach someone the proper way to put out a fire. I’m not trained for that. In the same breath, firefighters aren’t expected to know how the equipment they use works mechanically. Although firefighters don’t need to understand how to fix the equipment, a general understanding of how something works affects how they use it.
Pump Packing vs. Mechanical Seal
In this article, we are going to discuss what packing and a mechanical seal are. But first we need to know what the purpose of these “seals” is in our pumping systems. To put it very simply, they keep the oil and water separated.
Five Top Preventive Maintenance Tips for Fire Pumps
The fire pump is arguably the most important piece of equipment on an engine, and pump manufacturers have specific guidelines for keeping fire pumps in the best working order. We spoke with two W.S. Darley & Company pump experts, Greg Field, vice president of pump manufacturing operations, and Shawn Kelly, training manager, about the subject and they gave us five preventive maintenance tips to keep your fire pump in top shape.
Exxon Mobile and Dow Chemical Demand Big Water
An industrial setting requires fire trucks to flow a high volume of pressured water and foam at an extremely high rate of speed to elevated storage tanks and large processing facilities.
