KIMTEK CORP. announced plans to celebrate the company’s 35th anniversary with a number of events planned throughout 2019. KIMTEK Transport skid units fit easily into most utility vehicles and pick-up trucks, enabling first responders to travel over rough terrain and through tight clearances with essential fire and/or medical rescue equipment and attendants. Markets have responded enthusiastically, resulting in record demand for KIMTEK products around the globe. Reaching this corporate milestone represents a personal achievement for KIMTEK president and founder Kimball Johnson. Johnson and several KIMTEK employees are experienced first responders, having routinely performed off-road rescues and wildfire suppression as part of their duties with fire departments and ambulance squads. www.kimtekresearch.com.
ACELA TRUCK COMPANY (ATC) and FIRE LINE EQUIPMENT are partnering to distribute Acela Monterra extreme-duty, high water/flood recue trucks. The two industry-leading companies are now offering high-water flood rescue trucks and wildland fire trucks, expanding ATC’s growing distribution footprint and Fire Line Equipment’s growing product offerings. ATC delivers five to eight high-mobility 4×4 and 6×6 truck chassis in North America. ATC has also developed an advanced reconditioning and recapitalization process that allows it to provide military-grade trucks to commercial markets at a fraction of the cost of less capable products. www.acelatruck.com. www.firelineequipment.com.
names in the news
MIKE KRILL was named the new chief of the Easton (PA) Fire Department (EFD), replacing former chief John Bast, who retired in September 2018. Krill has been an EFD member for 33 years and is also a former Easton mayoral candidate. Deputy Chief Kevin Arnold had been serving as acting chief since Bast left the department. In 2011, running as a Republican, Krill attempted to unseat current Easton mayor Sal Panto Jr., who made the announcement.
STEVE MALONE was named the new chief of the Manhattan (IL) Fire Protection District (MFPD). Malone was previously the MFPD’s deputy chief. He replaces Daniel Forsythe, who left the department in December 2018. Malone is a 17-year veteran of the fire district, beginning in 2001 as a volunteer firefighter/EMT. He was later hired as a full-time firefighter/paramedic in November 2007 and then promoted to lieutenant in January 2010. He had been in his role as deputy chief since July 2015.
