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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: Nov 5, 2021

Pascrell First Responder Benefits Bill Passes Senate, Heads to President’s Desk

Pascrell-authored legislation will improve benefits for those harmed in the line of duty and their families

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), co-chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus and Congressional Fire Services Caucus, today celebrated the Senate’s passage of his Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021 (PAFRA).

This bipartisan legislation is sponsored in the House (H.R. 2936) by Rep. Pascrell and in the Senate (S. 1511) by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA). PAFRA makes significant improvements to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program, which provides first responders who die or are permanently disabled in the line of duty with a federal benefit of $370,000 and education assistance of $1,200 a month to their children or spouse.

PAFRA first passed the Senate on June 10 and subsequently passed the House on October 27 with an amendment to extend the statutory presumption guaranteeing public safety officers who contract COVID-19 are eligible for benefits should they become disabled or die from the virus. Rep. Pascrell championed legislation to enact this important presumption last Congress. Today’s passage in the Senate will send the bill to President Joe Biden’s desk.

“During this devastating pandemic, America’s first responders have stood valiantly on the frontlines keeping our communities safe. Every single day, our firefighters, police, and EMS have risked their lives and the well-being of their families. With final passage of our bill today, Congress has made clear that America’s heroes have our fullest support and that their families will be protected should the worst come to pass,” said Rep. Pascrell. “I fought like hell to pass this bill in the House and I want to thank Senator Grassley for all of his work to get this bill across the finish line in the upper chamber. I now look forward to President Biden signing this bill into law so that our first responders and their families may have the peace of mind they deserve.”

Currently, first responders permanently disabled in the line of duty are only eligible for Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) if they can never again perform any compensated work. This high bar leaves behind far too many public safety officers. PAFRA corrects this by ensuring disabled first responders whose work is for therapeutic purposes, involves simple tasks, or provides special accommodations can still receive benefits. The bill also provides for retroactive disability benefits to public safety officers who responded to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, allowing those first responders who became permanently disabled from their heroic work at Ground Zero to re-apply for disability benefits.

The Protecting America’s First Responders Act also addresses lengthy delays in processing benefit claims, so that impacted officers and families aren’t left waiting for their owed relief during the most difficult of times. For cases pending longer than 365 days, PAFRA indexes the award amount to the date of final determination, rather than the date of death or injury, so families aren’t financially penalized for the de

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Posted: Nov 5, 2021

Photo of the Day: November 5, 2021

SVI Trucks—Norco (LA) Area Volunteer Fire Department light rescue. Ford F-550 Super duty 4×4 cab and chassis; 6.7L Power Stroke Turbo diesel 330-hp engine; 12-foot walk-around rescue body; four Zico 1000 walkaway SCBA air pack brackets; LED telescopic light; Whelen LED warning and scene lights; FRC Evolution ll LED telescopic light. Dealer: Rob Laee, Louisiana Emergency Equipment, Eunice LA.

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Posted: Nov 4, 2021

Lake Ozark (MO) Fire District to Put into Service $1.3M Aerial

The Lake Ozark (MO) Fire District Sunday afternoon will put into service its new $1.3 million, 100-foot aerial ladder truck, reports krmsradio.com.

A push-in ceremony, to be held at the Bagnell Dam Boulevard main station, is open to the public and begins at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The festivities will include an apparatus blessing from the department Chaplain, the report says; Osage Beach Fire will assist with a wet down; and those in attendance can help dry off the truck.

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Posted: Nov 4, 2021

Morristown (TN) Fire Department Purchases 2021 Pierce Rescue Pumper

The Morristown (TN) Fire Department recently took delivery of a 2021 Pierce Saber six-man rescue pumper. The new apparatus will be housed at the department’s Station 1 on S. Jackson St.

The Morristown Fire Truck Committee says it received a good deal on the apparatus by purchasing a demo model being stored in FL, as opposed to going through the WI manufacturer.

“I’m very proud of Lt. Danny Case and all members of the committee and the money they saved the City,” said Fire Chief Clark Taylor. “However, their job is not finished as procurement, stocking, and mounting all equipment is ongoing.”

The truck can hold 1,000 gallons of water, has a 1,500-gpm pump, and carries 1,650 feet of hose. The apparatus also carries extrication tools.

Crews have been training on the new truck for the past month.

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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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