CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) – New mobile trailer technology offers firefighters new ways to train. Chiefs from across Western Pennsylvania gathered in Cranberry Wednesday to test them out.

Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook describes what it means to be a firefighter.

“It all comes down to protecting property and saving lives,” Cook said.

However, like any job, they too require training. Cook said it’s even more the case as the environment they work in is constantly evolving as well.

“The change in focus from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles has created a huge change in operations for fire departments over the last five, six years,” Cook said.

It’s just one example and is why chiefs from 40 different agencies came together at Cranberry’s Public Safety Training Center.

They learned about some new tools with the help of the firefighting safety company, Draeger. They’re mobile trailers that are computer-controlled and can simulate various situations from burning with liquid fuels to search and rescue…

Cranberry Township Chief Scott Garing said specifically, that they allow crews to train right in their backyard at their own stations, something that’s important for volunteer agencies. 

“Having it accessible, having it available, and utilizing it to its fullest potential, will make our firefighters better at what they do,” Garing said.

They’re enhancing training in a job that can be the difference between life and death.

“We have to continue to provide response and protection to the communities that we’re sworn to serve so you know, that’s where education and training comes in to maintain that edge,” Cook said.

On the rally stage in Philadelphia, he cut the figure of a man destined for the highest office.

No one worked the crowd better and a barnstorming performance went down a storm inside the Temple University arena.

Which begs the question: why wasn’t Josh Shapiro picked?

Kamala Harris’s choice of liberal-leaning Tim Walz has pleased Democrats, no doubt. Chemistry, we’re told, was the clincher for the partnership.

Read more: Could Walz be most progressive VP ever?

Harris is also attracted to his backstory, plain-speaking and political heft on the likes of reproductive rights and gun control.

But if there’s Democratic satisfaction with Walz, there is surprise that 51-year-old Shapiro wasn’t the choice.

He’s a politician with a 60%+ approval rating, sure-footed and moderate enough to settle the horses in Democratic curious-yet-reluctant parts of the country.

As Pennsylvania governor, Shapiro would be a safe bet to lock in the 19 electoral college votes on offer in the state, hugely important in the race for the White House.

On Tuesday evening, however, Shapiro told the Philadelphia crowd, “I love being your governor” and vowed “to continue pouring my heart and soul into continuing to serve you every single day,” before giving the stage over to Harris and Walz.

So why not him? Reportedly, he and Harris didn’t really hit it off in the ‘chemistry test’ interview.

Her head would also have been turned by criticism from pro-Palestinian activists of the Jewish governor’s positions on the Israel-Hamas war, even though they are aligned with others who made the shortlist.

Protests, whatever their foundation, would drag Harris towards awkward territory and difficult questions.

Then there’s ambition. Shapiro is seen as a potential contender for the presidency at some point in his career – Walz, on the other hand, has let it be known that’s not on his radar.

It’s clear which working dynamic would best foster mutual trust between a number one and two.

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A priority for Harris is a working relationship that will thrive in office. She has to get there first.

In making her choice of running mate, she has made the biggest choice of her political career.

It’s also the biggest gamble.

For more on the 2024 race, head to the NPR Network’s elections updates page.

At an energetic rally in Philadelphia, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris introduced her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, ticking through his varied resume and often calling him “Coach Walz” because of his tenure as a successful high school football coach.

“In 91 days,” Harris said, “the nation will know Coach Walz by another name: vice president of the United States.”

The current vice president cited Walz’s time as a National Guardsman and teacher, and some of his progressive accomplishments as Minnesota governor, including expansive voting rights measures and gun safety laws. The two stressed their campaign theme of “freedom” and pushing toward the “future,” rather than going backward with Donald Trump.

For their part, Republicans have spent the day deriding Walz as a “radical” liberal.

A fist-pumping Walz then displayed his ability to attack Trump, quipping that violent crime was up during Trump’s administration, then adding: “That’s not even counting the crimes he committed!”

Notably, Harris and Walz were preceded on stage by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was passed over for the running mate slot yet still gave a forceful endorsement of the Democratic ticket.

Harris returned the praise in kind. “Together with Josh Shapiro,” she said, “we will win Pennsylvania.”