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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: Aug 23, 2021

Firefighting Boat Aims to Make a Stretch of the Columbia River (WA) Safer

Cameron Probert

Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Wash.)

(MCT)

Aug. 22—KENNEWICK, Wa. — The stretch of the Columbia River along Benton County’s southern border used to be a lonely place to get in trouble.

Rescue crews had drive from the Tri-Cities, taking an hour to get into the water.

For the last month though, firefighters and sheriff’s deputies quickly rescued several people from a sinking boat, helped a stranded boater and responded to an emergency beacon.

The faster response was thanks to a used boat that Benton County Fire District 6 was able to buy from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office for $2,500.

Normally, similar boats cost about $250,000. And that’s far beyond the budget of the largely volunteer fire district with an annual budget of $900,000.

“We couldn’t afford it otherwise,” said Fire Chief Rolland Watt. “We’re in the process of trying to replace some of the aging vehicles. The land-based responses would have to come first.”

He credited Interim Benton County Sheriff Jon Law with brokering the deal with the county co

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Posted: Aug 20, 2021

E-ONE Builds Two HR100 Aerial Ladder Trucks for Omaha (NE) Fire Department

By Alan M. Petrillo

E-ONE has built a pair of HR100 aerial ladder trucks for Omaha (NE) Fire Department on single rear axles to address the department’s need for a more maneuverable aerial than that of a dual rear axle version.

E-ONE built two HR100 aerial ladders for Omaha (NE) Fire Department on Cyclone chassis and cabs powered by a 500-horsepower Cummins X12 diesel engine, and an Allison 4000 EVS automatic transmission. (Photos courtesy of E-ONE.)

Jim Schurkamp, engineer with Omaha Fire’s Technical Services Division, maintains that single rear axle aerials are much easier to maintain than dual rear axle aerials because they have a single set of brakes, bearings, and other associated equipment. “We have seven trucks that are straight sticks, and two tower platforms, with no pumps or tanks on any of our aerials,” Schurkamp says. “We have approximately 650 paid firefighters staffing 24 stations, and each of our aerials and engines are staffed with four firefighters, except for our water tenders and medical units.”

Joe Hedges, product manager for chassis and aerials at E-ONE, says each of the two HR100 aerials are built on a Cyclone chassis and cab with a 100-foot welded extruded aluminum ladder that has a 2.5 to 1 structural safety factor, powered by a 500-horsepower (hp) Cummins X12 diesel engine and an Allison 4000 EVS automatic transmission. “The aerials have extruded aluminum bodies with 10 compartments covered by ROM rollup doors, a pinnable waterway to the tip and 500-pound tip load wet or dry, a high angle of departure, and a bobbed-off back to allow the rig to get around streets more easily,” he notes.

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Posted: Aug 20, 2021

Van Buren (ME) Seeks Grant Money to Replace Deficient Fire Station

Van Buren (ME) Fire Department’s station, built in 1972, has some deficiencies and safety concerns, enough so the town is looking for grant money to replace it, according to a report published by the Fiddlehead Focus.

The station is a cinderblock structure with trucks parked above meeting areas and offices, according to the published report, which added the floor is sinking and needs repairs. It is also leaking and not big enough to house the department’s fleet, the paper also reported.

Town and fire department officials are looking for a site for the new fire station which they hope to fund with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant money, according to the newspaper.

If federal money becomes available, Van Buren officials hope to erect a pre-fabricated building on a parcel of land adjacent to the town offices, one that is large enough with big bay doors to accommodate all the apparatus as well as a large training trailer, the paper said.

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Posted: Aug 20, 2021

Ligonier (IN) Fire Station Set to Open This Fall

Progress is being made on the new fire station in Ligonier (IN) according to a report published by The News Sun.

The new station will have a training tower, fitness room, lifts for apparatus maintenance in the bays and a separate room for turnout gear as well as a decontamination area, according to the newspaper.

Other features include 14-foot square doors, living quarters, a kitchen, dining area, and a training room on the second floor, according to the paper.

The station is scheduled to open this fall with a dedication ceremony to follow, the paper reported.

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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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