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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: Oct 15, 2025

Trends in Hazardous Materials Instrumentation and Equipment

Hazardous materials response trucks are packed with equipment and instruments that give incident commanders and firefighters a critical look at the hazards they will be facing during a hazmat incident.

Such equipment includes material analyzers, atmospheric monitoring systems, weather stations, multiple gas detectors, radiation detectors, and drones and robotics for performing surveillance and human-free activities.

Mark Norman, PhD, senior field applications scientist for 908 Devices, says a hazmat firefighter might face an array of hazardous materials, such as toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), toxic industrial materials (TIMs), and chemical warfare agents (CMAs). Norman notes that his company recently launched a chemical analyzer called VipIR” that uses a combination of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy technology to identify potentially hazardous solids and liquids.

He points out that FTIR spectrometers analyze how materials absorb infrared radiation to identify unknown chemical substances, while Raman spectroscopy analyzes laser radiation scattering to allow for the rapid and safe identification of hazardous chemicals and materials through certain containers, reducing the need for direct sampling and minimizing exposure risks for first responders.

“VipIR puts both technologies in one handheld 8-pound box that uses a smart spectral processing (SSP) algorithm to search a 23,000-compound FTIR library and a 16,000-compound Raman library to produce a one-button single result,” Norman says. “VipIR can report up to six components of a mixture and assign each a series of star ratings to indicate identification confidence.”

courtesy of 908 Devices

1 908 Devices makes the VipIR chemical analyzer that uses FTIR and Raman spectroscopy technology to identify potentially hazardous solids and liquids. (Photo 1 courtesy of 908 Devices.)

Norman says that 908 Devices also makes XplorIR®, a handheld gas analyzer that can accurately detect, identify, and quantify thousands of unknown chemicals and vapors in seconds. “Hazmat technicians can use XplorIR to continuously monitor for immediate answers during high-threat operations or change to point mode for isolated target intelligence,” he points out. “It also is able to identify and quantify up to six gas components in real time within complex mixtures and provides detection in as quick as four seconds, with positive identification results displayed within a minute.”

XplorIR can detect and identify more than 5,600 unknown gas and vapor chemical threats in seconds and with quantification added can report parts- per-million (ppm) readings for nearly 5,000 airborne chemicals, he adds. Some of the hazardous chemicals XplorIR can detect and identify, Norman says, include TICs, TIMs, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fire gases, refrigerants, petroleum products, industrial gases, solvents and corrosives, as well as nerve agents, blister agents, choking agents, and blood agents.

Another hazmat detection product that 908 Devices makes is ProtectIR®, a handheld FTIR device that can rapidly provide solid and liquid identification and analysis for hazardous materials, narcotics, and explosives, Norman says. “Its handheld FTIR technology utilizes a diamond attenuated total reflection (ATR) sample interface to identify unknown powders and liquids,” he points out, “enabling hazmat response teams and first responders to analyze bulk substances in seconds.”

courtesy of Rosenbauer

2 This Rosenbauer RTE robot can be sent into a hazmat scene and be

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Posted: Oct 15, 2025

Harford (PA) VFC Pumper Catches Fire While Driving

The Harford (PA) Volunteer Fire Company said its engine experienced a catastrophic electrical failure while traveling down the road and caught fire Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, the department said in a Facebook post.

No firefighters were injured.

“Unfortunately, as many have already heard, we lost our rescue engine last evening. While returning from an assist for an MVA on the interstate, our Rescue Engine suffered a catastrophic electrical failure and the truck caught fire inside the cab while we were traveling down the road.

“The operator was able to quickly and safely move the truck to the shoulder and get it stopped. The crew of two in the truck tried to save as much equipment as possible, but unfortunately that was not much. From the time the call was made to our communications center advising of the fire and the need for assistance, to the time the rapid fire growth overtook our crew and forced them away from the truck was less than three minutes.

“This is a devastating loss for our department and our community. But our people are safe and uninjured. Today we are thankful for that.

“We do have insurance, of course, but that still won’t cover the total replacement of the truck and equipment. Now, more than ever, we ask for your support as we navigate the weeks and months ahead.

“We would like to thank the surrounding departments for your rapid response in our dire time of need. Your quick and professional actions saved tens of thousands of dollars in equipment. The truck will likely be a total loss, along with all equipment still in the cab. But the fire was stopped at the back of the cab. No equipment in the body, nor any of the brand new hose from our 2024 AFG grant was damaged.

“Thanks go out to:

The post Harford (PA) VFC Pumper Catches Fire While Driving appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Oct 15, 2025

Advanced Mobile Command Vehicle to be Showcased at IACP 2025 in Denver

APPLETON, Wisconsin (Oct. 14, 2025) – Frontline Communications, a division of Pierce Manufacturing, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) business, announced today its latest custom mobile command vehicle will be on display at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference and Exposition in Denver, Colorado, taking place October 18-21, 2025.

The 46’ 8” vehicle, custom built for the United States Postal Service Inspection Service (USPIS), was recently delivered to support the agency’s mission-critical operations and will now make its public debut at the IACP event. The highly advanced unit demonstrates Frontline Communications’ commitment to providing law enforcement agencies with state-of-the-art platforms for coordination, communication, and situational awareness.

Designed for Mission Readiness

Powered by a PACCAR MX-13 engine with 510 horsepower, the vehicle features four slide-out sections, a 25kW generator, and five roof-mounted HVAC units, creating a self-sufficient, climate- controlled operations hub capable of supporting extended deployments.

Key vehicle amenities include:

  • Full-service galley
  • Eight workstations
  • Dual-powered electric awnings
  • 42-foot mast with hi-def camera system

Equipped with Next-Generation Technology

Designed to support secure, redundant, and flexible communications, the vehicle incorporates a comprehensive technology suite, including:

  • Modular video switcher for flexible video routing
  • Satellite antenna and LTE bonded cellular router
  • Indoor/outdoor wireless access points
  • Command Zone™ advanced electrical system
  • Rear/side view cameras with 7” LCD display
  • Apple TV, two DirecTV receivers, and over-the-air antennas
  • Liebert GXT5 uninterruptible power supply
  • Phone system for scalable communications

“This vehicle showcases the future of mobile command technology and how Frontline Communications delivers custom solutions to support the evolving needs of public safety agencies,” said Steve Williamson, Regional Vice President of Sales, North and Northwest Region. “We look forward to demonstrating its capabilities at IACP 2025.”

Demonstrating Innovation at IACP

As one of the largest law enforcement conferences in the world, IACP provides an opportunity for agencies to experience firsthand the tools and technologies shaping the future of policing.

Frontline Communications will feature this mobile command vehicle at the Denver event to highlight its innovative technologies, advanced integration, and commitment to supporting mission- critical operations across the country.

To learn more about Frontline Communications and its custom mobile command solutions, visit www.frontlinecomm.com.

About Frontline Communications

Frontline Communications, a division of Pierce Manufacturing, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) business, is the leading manufacturer of custom command and communications vehicles. The company’s wide range of products, including SUV’s, Vans and Heavy-Duty Custom Aluminum Bodies are valued for their quality, advanced technology and integration capability that perform in the most extreme environments. Frontline Communications is an ISO 9001:2015 Registered company. Visit www.frontlinecomm.com for more information.

About Pierce Manufacturing

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, i

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Posted: Oct 14, 2025

Alcohol Not Involved in Fatal MN Apparatus Crash, State Patrol Says

Blood test results show that alcohol was not involved in a fatal crash involving a Wood Lake (MN) Volunteer Fire Department fire apparatus, a Minnesota State Patrol spokesperson said Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, marshallindependent.com reported.

After receiving blood test results, the state patrol updated its online incident page to say that alcohol was not involved in the crash, the report said.

The state patrol and the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a rollover crash that involved a Wood Lake fire apparatus Sept. 26, 2025. Patrick Remiger, 43, of rural Wood Lake, was killed in the crash. Andrew Vanhecke, 37, and Beaux Vanhecke, 6, both of Wood Lake, were injured.

At the time of the crash, the rig was returning from homecoming festivities at Lakeview School. Celebrations included a tradition where members of the Lakeview cross country team run the homecoming game football from the city of Wood Lake to the city of Cottonwood.

Both the state patrol and Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office say the investigation into the crash is ongoing.

related content

The post Alcohol Not Involved in Fatal MN Apparatus Crash, State Patrol Says appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Fire Mechanics Section Board

Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Chair

Elliot Courage
North Whatcom Fire & Rescue
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Vice Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Vice Chair

Mike Smith 
Pierce County Fire District #5
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Secretary

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Secretary

Greg Bach
South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue
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Director #1

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #1

Doug Jones
South Kitsap Fire & Rescue
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Director #2

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #2

Paul Spencer 
Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC
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Director #3

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #3

Jim Morris
Mountain View Fire Department
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Director #4

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #4

Arnie Kuchta

Clark County Fire District 6

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Director #6

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #6

Brett Annear
Kitsap County Fire District 18
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Director #5

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #5

Jay Jacks
Camano Island Fire & Rescue
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Legislative Representative

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Legislative Representative

TBD
TBD
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Immediate Past Chair

Posted: Oct 20, 2015

Immediate Past Chair

Brian Fortner
Graham Fire & Rescue

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