How to take pictures of reflective objects with a nikon D3000?

I recently bought a Nikon D3000. I take pictures of our local fire department on calls, but at night time with all their reflective gear. All I get is either a big glowing ball where the reflective is or it auto adjusts and makes all the pictures dark with white bars. How can I fix this?

1) take your fine camera out of "Auto"
2) use the camera manually using the cameras fine light meter.
3) do not use the cameras flash, but instead use a higher ISO setting and the available light at the scene.
4) use a faster lens to access the faster available shutter speeds

You have many years to learn how to use a fully adjustable camera like your fine D3000.To speed things up, take a class in photography to learn the fundamentals of using a camera

Don't use the flash! Increase the ISO instead, or take photos during daylight.