The Air Force intends to buy at least 207 P-34 Rapid Intervention Vehicles, new 500-gallon fire trucks expected to enter production in late September. “This will be the first firefighting vehicle in the US Air Force to use new ultra-high-pressure firefighting technology,” said Jim Podolske of the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency. The RIV, built by Pierce Manufacturing of Bradenton, Fla., is based on a modified Ford F550 chassis. It will carry three firefighters and their equipment. It features a bumper-mounted UHP turret pump capable of discharging 60 gallons of firefighting agent per minute at 1,350 psi, making it a more effective firefighting tool than older trucks. The RIVs, costing less than $160,000 each, will replace legacy P-19 trucks. Every installation will receive at least one P-34, while fighter bases and larger bases will receive multiple units. Tyndall AFB, Fla., will receive the first one. (Tyndall report by John Burt)
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.