This week on Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna dive into the topic of the classic fire pole versus the modern-day fire slide. As shared in an article from the Daily Dispatch, the Bartlesville Fire Department recently replaced their traditional fire poles with slides to improve efficiency, prompting a deeper discussion on the pros, cons, and safety aspects of both methods.

This week on Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion and Chief Ken Kehmna discuss the significant and dangerous impact of unauthorized drones on firefighting efforts. A story featured in the Daily Dispatch highlights a recent incident at the Palisades Fire on January 9, 2025, where a drone collided with a firefighting aircraft. The collision forced all aircraft to land, temporarily halting aerial operations. The panel explores how these rogue drone activities pose serious risks to both the crews operating aircraft and those working on the ground. They also address the legal consequences for drone operators in active firefighting zones, emphasizing the importance of public awareness to prevent such disruptions in the future.

In this episode of Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna to discuss the challenges many fire departments face with fleet management, particularly the rising costs of purchasing and maintaining fire apparatus. With financial pressures mounting, some departments, like Amarillo Fire Department, are considering leasing fire trucks as an alternative to traditional purchasing. Chief Kehmna shares insights into how leasing can offer financial flexibility, improve fleet reliability, and help departments manage the increasing costs of fire equipment.