The Aerial Guy - Aerial Inspections

09/02/2025

This year I will be walking the Medina Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5K with my wife and 7 month old daughter. If you would like to support the great foundation as well, please click the link below to help us reach our fundraising goal. Thank you!

Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries forward a legacy of courage and heroism. Built upon the mantra, “While we have time, LET US DO GOOD,” the Foundation supports our nation’s fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes and their fami...

06/03/2025

Did you see the Goodyear blimps today?

Celebratory 100 years of blimp flights, the iconic airships took a “victory lap” over the great City of Akron.

We had a good view of them in flight and grabbed a few photos.

City of Akron, Ohio - Mayor's Office
Akron Fire Department
Goodyear

05/15/2025

I have tested this department for over 10 years. This picture has been in the bathroom for as long as I can remember.
It is a great reminder of the dangers that are not always at the forefront.
Cancer isn’t the first danger that people think of with firefighting.
It won’t collapse a structure on you.
It won’t dry out a hydrant.
It won’t deplete your air supply.
It won’t call mayday over your radio.
It CAN end your career and even your life just the same.

Please. For your family, and for yourself.
Get screened. Catching it early is the best chance at beating it.

I want to see the same faces each year at every department.

“They shall walk through the fire and not be burned” - Isaiah 43:2

05/02/2025

The weather wasn’t going to stop us from completing this annual inspection today!

01/06/2025

New for 2025! We are now a vendor for Duo Safety ladders. To complement our ground ladder testing/inspection, we can now order any necessary parts or ladders for you. Call or email to get a quote today!

09/11/2024

Never Forget.

This photo is of Ladder 3 of the New York City Fire Department Ladder Company 3. The company was created on Sept 11, 1865, and was celebrating 136 years of service when tragedy struck our home. It happened during morning change over, and everyone from the previous shift stayed on and road towards the World Trade Center. The crew was last known to be on the 35th floor when the North Tower collapsed.

Ladder 3 was parked on West Street next to Six WTC and was damaged beyond repair. It spent ten years in Hanger 17 at JFK International Airport before being made part of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. It was flag covered and lowered by crane 70 feet below ground as Amazing Grace was performed on bagpipes by the FDNY Emerald Society, just as it would at a funeral.

Today and every day, we remember those who lost their lives that day. We honor the lives they lived and recognize how our own lives have changed on that day. Never Forget.

#

09/11/2024

Another drift test underway. Couldn't ask for better weather either. Thank you for your continued business to Garrettsville Freedom Nelson Joint Fire District

09/01/2024

05/19/2024

Here is a link to the IAFF Center of excellence.
Please seek help, you are never alone in the fight.

https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/locations/iaff-recovery-center/?utm_source=GMBSocialClimb&utm_medium=IAFFCenterofExcellence

It is with immense pain that we share with you the death of Firefighter/ Paramedic Jared Kneale. Jared passed away last night at the age of 42.

Our members are on bended knee grieving. Words cannot describe the void his passing has left in this department. Jared was hired on 4/29/2015 and initially assigned to the 1st battalion where he served for one year. He was transferred to the 2nd battalion where he remained until his passing. Jared was assigned to Ladder Truck 1. He was a member of the TROT team and an integral part of the radio division. Jared spent many hours on his off days repairing radios and knox boxes. His most important role undoubtedly was head chef at station #1. He cooked nearly every meal, a task he took great pride in. Every morning, he imparted the same greeting to incoming and off going crews, a simple "YOOO". Jared had infectious laughter and was all the ringleader for pranks around the station. He had an insatiable love of candy. Most specifically peanut butter m&m's and sweet tart chewys. He always kept the door to his locker open knowing full well the entire crew would sneak handfuls of his candy that he never let run out. Jared had great mechanical aptitude and loved operating the ladder truck and its equipment. He took great pride in showing floaters to the station how to run the truck. He was the go-to guy on shift if you ever needed help fixing your car. Jared was a "helper" no matter what the task he always wanted to help.

It is with the permission of Jared's wife and children that wish to share that Jared's death was the result of su***de due to a post traumatic stress related illness. Jared's family and our members are struggling to make sense of his decision to take his own life but we have collectively agreed his passing cannot be for nothing. We MUST and we WILL make something positive come out of Jared's death. In his final moments Jared signaled to us his wishes to use his death to help bring awareness to firefighter mental health. We urge our fellow brothers and sisters to reach out to one another.

Upon receiving notice of Jared's death 70 plus firefighters immediately descended upon the hospital. Our members took great comfort in being able to say goodbye one final time and receive Jared at the funeral home. Our department is heartbroken but resilient. Our members are rallying around each other and exemplifying the true meaning of "brotherhood". We would like express our sincere gratitude for the outpouring of support we have received during this trying time. Jared leaves behind his wife, six children and 151 united brothers & sisters. We ask that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. At this time his family is asking for privacy as they grieve. Arrangements will be made available once finalized.

Thank you for the outpouring of love.

Take care of one another.

05/03/2024

Congratulations to Chief Drouard on his retirement. I have been testing his department for 10 years and it has truly been a pleasure working with him when I was in town. The department has some big shoes to fill. Retirement is well deserved and I hope you enjoy every second of it. Josh Drouard

03/19/2024

The schedule is filling up fast!
Need your aerial, ground ladders, or bucket truck tested? Click the link or scan the QR code below to send us a message.

https://app.kickserv.com/336cd6/self_service/requests/new

Aerial Fire Truck and ground ladder testing and inspection services - Ohio