Menu

Welcome

The Finest Supporting the Bravest!

The purpose of the Fire Mechanics Section is to promote standardization of fire apparatus and equipment preventative maintenance, improve safety standards and practices, promote workshops, conferences, and seminars related to the purposes of this Section, and to promote cost savings through standardization of building and equipment purchasing and maintenance.

RECENT FIRE MECHANIC NEWS

Posted: Sep 24, 2025

A New Pink Pumper Hits the Streets in FL

Palm Beach County (FL) Fire Rescue unveiled it’s newest pink pumper, a 2009 Sutphen, which will continue the mission of hope, strength, community, and remembrance during Breath Cancer Awareness Month, the department said in a Facebook post.

This engine replaces the original pink pumper, a 1989 Young Crusader engine, which has traveled across the county for more than a decade, supporting people and families affected by cancer.

As one survivor shared: “Whenever we see this truck, we know there’s a community behind us. We know we’re not going through this alone.”

During a transfer ceremony Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, cancer survivors and families took part in a “Transfer of Memories” hooking up the hoses between the old and new trucks, moving helmets, memorabilia, and the truck’s original flag forward to continue the fight. Afterwards, loved ones signed the new truck in honor of the journey, kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month a little early.

“To all who have fought, continue to fight, or who have stood beside a loved one—you are not alone,” the post said. “The Pink Pumper rides for you.

“We couldn’t continue the tradition of The Pink Pumper without recognizing the long hours of support from Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm Beach County, Local 2928, IAFF, our PBCFR Retirees, and the PBCFR FACE (Firefighters Attacking the Cancer Epidemic) Team.”

The post A New Pink Pumper Hits the Streets in FL appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Read more
Posted: Sep 23, 2025

Griffin: Do the Right Things the Right Way for the Right Reasons

The opening keynoter for the 2025 Fire Truck Training Conference was Assistant Chief David Griffin of the Charleston (SC) Fire Department. Chief Griffin was the pump operator of the first engine to respond to the Sofa Super Store fire that claimed the lives of 9 Charleston firefighters.

Since that fire, Charleston has implemented a variety of changes in their operations. The department budget was $14.7 million in 2007 but is now $62 million, and part of that budget is devoted to its fleet division. There was no fleet manager in 2007, but there is now, along with one lead repair technician, four additional repair technicians, and the division has requested a mobile technician be added to the budget.

Throughout the presentation, which included a recounting of the events of June 18, 2007, including his deficiencies as a pump operator that day—deficiencies he did not blame on the department but on himself for not striving to be better at that job. He challenged the emergency vehicle technicians in the audience and said, “Why would you not want to be the best?” He praised the technicians in attendance for choosing to come to the Fire Truck Training Conference to ensure they are the best at their jobs and cautioned that those who are not seeking out training are the ones to worry about in any organization. His comments naturally dovetailed with the theme of this year’s conference: The Best Techs Never Stop Training.”

As Griffin concluded his remarks by delivering advice that he said transcends any profession: Do the right things the right way for the right reasons. Doing so is not for you but the people around you.

The post Griffin: Do the Right Things the Right Way for the Right Reasons appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Read more
Posted: Sep 23, 2025

Rosenbauer to Showcase PANTHER Electric at 2025 ARFF Working Group

WYOMING, Minnesota (September 22, 2025) – Rosenbauer America, a leading manufacturer of fire apparatus, today announced its participation at the 35th Annual ARFF Working Group Symposium. As part of this, guests have the opportunity to attend a Rosenbauer America customer appreciation event and live vehicle demonstration, providing a first-hand look at the future of aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) with the PANTHER electric.

The event will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Attendees will have the unique opportunity to ride in the cab of the PANTHER electric and experience its power and nearly-silent operation. This is more than a presentation—it is a live experience designed to showcase the vehicle’s revolutionary capabilities. Guests will also enjoy complimentary refreshments and a barbeque.

The PANTHER electric represents a monumental step forward in sustainable and effective ARFF response. Its innovative design and technology deliver uncompromising performance while significantly reducing environmental impact.

Key features and functions of the PANTHER electric include:

  • Zero Local Emissions and Ultra-Quiet Operation: The all-electric powertrain eliminates exhaust fumes and drastically reduces noise and vibrations, creating a healthier and safer working environment for firefighters and airport personnel.
  • Superior Acceleration and Driving Dynamics: With a powerful electric drive, the PANTHER electric outperforms its diesel counterparts, accelerating from 0 to 50 mph (80 km/h) in less than 25 seconds, ensuring a rapid response to any emergency.
  • Full-Performance Firefighting Technology: The vehicle’s high-voltage batteries and electric pumps deliver the same powerful firefighting capabilities as a conventional PANTHER, with a pump flow rate of up to 2,250 GPM (9,000 liters per minute) and a turret throw range of up to 300-feet (100 meters).
  • Integrated Energy Backup System (EBS): An on-board diesel-powered EBS provides seamless, continuous power to the pump and other systems, guaranteeing full operational readiness even during extended or unforeseen incidents.
  • Rapid Charging Capabilities: The PANTHER electric can be fully charged from empty in approximately 45 minutes with up to 300 kW charging, and a typical operational charge can be achieved in as little as 15 minutes, ensuring a fast turnaround between responses.

To experience the next evolution of ARFF technology, noted event details are as follows:

Where: Foxwoods Resort Casino, Rainmaker Room, 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, CT 06338

When: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

Transportation: Shuttle bus departs from Mohegan Sun at 5:30 pm ET

About Rosenbauer America

Rosenbauer is the world’s leading manufacturer of firefighting vehicles and equipment. With a history of innovation spanning over 150 years, Rosenbauer is a full-line manufacturer, providing pumpers, aerials, rescues, and other specialized apparatus to fire departments across North America from its facilities in Wyoming, Minnesota; Lyons, South Dakota; and Fremont, Nebraska. Rosenbauer America is part of the Rosenbauer Group, which operates in more than 100 countries and is a trusted partner to fire services worldwide. The company is dedicated to developing and providing the most advanced and reliable firefighting technology to save lives and protect property. Learn more at www.rosenbaueramerica.com.

The post Read more

Posted: Sep 23, 2025

Keeping It Safe: Drones

Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow

Robert Tutterow

It was not that many years ago that I saw a drone on display at FDIC International that was being promoted for use in the fire service. I do not recall having either a negative or positive reaction and did not give the idea much thought.

As with a lot of new things, I could not relate to its possibilities based on my historical perspective. Here we are in 2025, and thousands of drones are now owned and used by fire departments. I had not realized how popular they had become until about five years ago when I asked a battalion chief in a large department if it had a drone. The response was, “Yes, I think we now have 15 of them.”

We do not have to look far to see how other industries are incorporating drones. Restaurants are now using drones, which are usually contracted, to deliver takeout food orders within a few miles of their locations. A drone food delivery was made in my neighborhood a couple of days before I wrote this column. And, a few of the big-box stores and online retailers are now using drones for package deliveries. How crowded will the skies be in just a few more years?

I am embarrassed to admit that I never gave firefighter safety a thought when it comes to drones. Then, I was reading some words of wisdom from the late Chief Alan Brunacini and came across one of his timeless tactical truths: “Make the unknown known.” I think that is where the value of how drones are being used today has a tremendous safety value. They provide added insight into situational awareness and can make the unknown situation known, and in a quicker time frame. Think of how many firefighters have lost their lives or were injured because of a lack of situational awareness.

Drones with thermal imaging cameras and live video streaming are probably default features to have on a department’s first drone or part of other features on a larger drone. It is amazing how small and inexpensive live, high-quality video cameras have become. These features have value at both structural and wildland fires. In fact, I doubt there has been a large wildland fire without the use of drones in recent years. With the right equipment, they can provide precise geographical location and atmospheric conditions.

I suspect that though drones are now common in many departments, we are still at the cutting edge of their influence on our service delivery. And, with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), the famous Yogi Berra saying is most definitely apropos: “The future ain’t what it used to be.” At a technology conference I attended last year, there was a lot of talk about drones. Drones have been developed that can apply water to a fire. There are studies indicating the viability of using a “swarm” of drones for wildland fire suppression. At this same conference, it was almost a foregone conclusion that many departments will have drones dispatched to a scene at the same time responders are alerted. The drone will inevitably arrive on the scene before the first-arriving ground units and will send real-time information to the responding units.

I have heard architects who specialize in fire station design state that it might be wise to have an area designated for a future drone pad for larger, possibly staffed, drones. First responder capabilities will be enhanced with larger drones, again possibly staffed with paramedics, to respond to EMS calls.

Despite the promise of innovative technologies and enhanced drone capabilities, there are a couple of limitations that will be difficult to overcome. The first limitation is battery life. It is true that batte

Read more
RSS
First678911131415Last

Theme picker

Upcoming Events

Theme picker

Sponsors

Fire Mechanics Section Board

Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Chair

Elliot Courage
North Whatcom Fire & Rescue
Read more

Vice Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Vice Chair

Mike Smith 
Pierce County Fire District #5
Read more

Secretary

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Secretary

Greg Bach
South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue
Read more

Director #1

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #1

Doug Jones
South Kitsap Fire & Rescue
Read more

Director #2

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #2

Paul Spencer 
Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC
Read more

Director #3

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #3

Jim Morris
Mountain View Fire Department
Read more

Director #4

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #4

Arnie Kuchta

Clark County Fire District 6

Read more

Director #6

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #6

Brett Annear
Kitsap County Fire District 18
Read more

Director #5

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #5

Jay Jacks
Camano Island Fire & Rescue
Read more

Legislative Representative

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Legislative Representative

TBD
TBD
Read more

Immediate Past Chair

Posted: Oct 20, 2015

Immediate Past Chair

Brian Fortner
Graham Fire & Rescue

Read more
RSS

Theme picker

2020 CAR SHOW