Chris McLoone is a fire service professional and journalist whose career connects emergency response with industry reporting. Known for his work as editor-in-chief of Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment magazine, he covers the vehicles, equipment, technology, and safety practices that shape modern firefighting. Alongside his editorial responsibilities, McLoone has spent decades serving the fire service in Glenside, Pennsylvania.
Who Is Chris McLoone?
Chris McLoone is an American journalist and longtime firefighter based in the professional fire service community. He is best known for his editorial work with Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment, a trade publication covering fire apparatus, emergency equipment, and related industry developments.
McLoone has more than three decades of writing and editing experience and approximately 31 years of service with the Weldon Fire Company in Glenside, Pennsylvania, according to available professional information. His fire service responsibilities have included serving as an engineering officer, assistant chief, and safety officer.
Chris McLoone’s Fire Service Career
McLoone’s firefighting career is closely associated with the Weldon Fire Company in Glenside, Pennsylvania. His long-term involvement reflects a commitment to emergency services that extends beyond his work in journalism.
Over the years, he has held several responsibilities within the organization. His experience as an engineering officer involved matters related to fire apparatus, including maintenance, inspections, and operational readiness. These responsibilities are important because emergency vehicles must remain dependable under demanding conditions.
McLoone also served as assistant chief, a position involving leadership and support for department operations. Fire officers must coordinate personnel, maintain operational standards, and help ensure that resources are available when emergencies occur.
In more recent years, he has served as a safety officer at the Weldon Fire Company. Safety responsibilities are particularly significant in firefighting, where personnel regularly face hazardous environments, complex equipment, and time-sensitive decisions.
His participation in apparatus and equipment purchasing committees has also contributed to his practical understanding of fire department needs. Decisions about emergency vehicles involve more than selecting a manufacturer. Departments must consider reliability, functionality, maintenance, cost, and the specific demands of their communities.
Editorial Career at Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment
McLoone is widely recognized for his role as editor-in-chief of Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment magazine. The publication serves professionals involved in purchasing, maintaining, designing, and operating fire apparatus and emergency response equipment.
His association with the magazine dates back at least to 2018, when he was identified as an editor. His work encompasses editorial coverage of fire trucks, rescue vehicles, equipment developments, fire station design, and industry news.
As an editor, McLoone works within a field where accuracy and practical relevance are essential. Information about vehicle specifications, equipment performance, purchasing trends, and safety considerations can inform decisions involving substantial public resources.
Writing and Industry Publications
Beyond his editorial responsibilities, McLoone has contributed to other fire service media outlets, including FirefighterNation and FireEngineering. These publications cover operational practices, industry developments, training, equipment, and issues affecting emergency responders.
One notable example is his article Fire Apparatus Purchasing in 2025, published by FirefighterNation in June 2025. The piece examines purchasing activity and trends in the fire apparatus market, illustrating his interest in the relationship between industry data and practical decisions made by fire departments.
In August 2024, McLoone also authored 40 Years of Walking the Walk, a feature associated with KIMTEK’s 40th anniversary. This work demonstrates his involvement in industry-focused editorial content beyond conventional news reporting.
His coverage has also included developments associated with FDIC International, a major fire service event where professionals explore new equipment, technologies, and industry products. Reporting from such events helps readers follow changes in emergency response equipment and understand what manufacturers are bringing to the market.
Chris McLoone’s Career and Continuing Contributions
As of 2026, McLoone’s professional profile remains centered on editorial leadership and fire service involvement. His work with Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment, alongside contributions to other industry publications, keeps him connected to developments affecting emergency response organizations.
His career illustrates how practical service experience can complement specialized journalism. Through his involvement in firefighting, equipment responsibilities, and industry reporting, he has worked across several areas that influence how departments select, maintain, and use emergency apparatus.
While much of his work takes place within a specialized professional field, the subjects he covers have broader implications. Reliable emergency vehicles, appropriate equipment, and effective safety practices are essential components of a fire department’s ability to respond to incidents.
Conclusion
Chris McLoone has built a professional career around two closely connected fields: firefighting and journalism. His longstanding service with the Weldon Fire Company and editorial leadership at Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment reflect a sustained interest in emergency response, equipment, and operational safety.
Through his reporting for fire service publications, he helps industry professionals follow purchasing trends, equipment developments, and issues affecting fire departments. Although details about his personal life and finances remain limited, his documented professional work provides a clear account of his role in specialized fire service journalism.
