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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: Aug 5, 2021

Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike Dugan

Captain (Ret.) Michael M. Dugan of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) is the recipient of the 2020-2021 Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented on Thursday at the FDIC International 2021 Opening Ceremony in Indianapolis.

Dugan started in the fire service in 1973 in the Halesite (NY) Volunteer Fire Department. He began his 27-year career in the FDNY as a firefighter in Ladder 137. As a probie, he was transferred to Ladder 43 in Spanish Harlem. As a firefighter, he received the James Gordon Bennett Medal in 1992 and the Harry M. Archer Medal in 1993, the FDNY’s highest award for bravery. As a lieutenant, Dugan served in Ladder 42 in the South Bronx. He was promoted in 2000 and ended up serving as the captain of Ladder 123 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, until retiring. He has been involved with the fire service for more than 45 years. He is an instructor and an educational advisory board member of FDIC International and an author and editorial advisory board member of Fire Engineering. He lectures around the country on truck company operations, building construction, size-up, and today’s fire service.

FDIC International Education Director Bobby Halton says about this year’s selection: “It would be hard to find someone with a richer life to recognize than Mike Dugan. From winning the two highest awards for bravery in the FDNY to providing world-class education to the fire service and public sectors, he has always been the first to show up and the last to leave. Mike’s personal life is equally as impressive; his family can attest to thousands of folks who call Mike their friend, and with good cause. Never one to forget a friend or abandon those in need, Mike Dugan epitomizes what it means to be a firefighter, a gentleman, a friend, and a patriot.”

Photo by Tim Olk.

FDIC Q & A: Mike Dugan

Thomas Richardson, chief of operations for FDNY: “Mike devoted his professional life to the fire service; in particular, he had a passion for training firefighters. As the captain of L-123, I always admired how Mike took pride in training and developing all of his members,

especially the probationary firefighters. He was an excellent teacher and held his people to a high standard of performance. Many of his members went on to become line officers and chiefs in the FDNY and others went on to work in our rescue and squad companies, our most elite units. They were all able to progress in their careers largely due to the training they received as young firefighters by Mike Dugan.”

John Salka, battalion chief (ret), FDNY: “Mike was a well-known and respected captain in the FDNY, and he worked in several of the busiest and best companies. His dedication to and love for the FDNY and the work that we do is unparalleled. He was known as a smart and courageous firefighter and officer and he was cited several times for bravery and was awarded two FDNY medals during his career. Mike has also worked as a fire instructor locally and throughout the country and has an equally amazing reputation with firefighters around the country.”

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Posted: Aug 5, 2021

Dräger to Provide Free, American-Made N95 Respirators at FDIC International

Houston — Dräger will help protect thousands of firefighters, first responders, and fire industry professionals with American-made N95 disposable respirators during FDIC International.

FDIC International opens August 2 to 7 in Indianapolis. Thousands of firefighters and others will attend the education classes and exposition for the largest annual fire industry show.

Made by American workers in Pennsylvania, the Dräger X-plore 1750 will be distributed throughout FDIC at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium during the exposition as well as during educational classes and at large gatherings. Dräger is supplying tens of thousands of individually wrapped, fold flat N95 respirators to attendees as the official provider of N95 respirators to FDIC.

“Dräger proudly built a U.S. manufacturing facility in less than two months during 2020 to help respond to the demand for N95 respirators and they continue to be a vital component of protective equipment in the long-term health of firefighters,” said John Wilson, Dräger senior vice president of sales and marketing, safety solutions. “Now U.S. and Canadian fire departments can order these American-made N95 respirators for one-time or regular, reliable delivery and at a very reasonable cost.”

When properly worn, Dräger N95 respirators protect firefighters by filtering out 95% of particulates found on an active fire ground. When used in combination with mobile gas detection that checks for toxic gases, Dräger’s comprehensive line of air-purifying respirator products can be a cost-effective method to help protect firefighters working outside the IDLH, or immediately dangerous to life and health, area.

Occupational cancer among firefighters has been rising at an alarming rate in recent years. Several studies indicated that the particulates in smoke and ash may contribute to that increased risk.

FDIC attendees can stop by Dräger booth 1308 to see products appropriate for use on the fire ground including the most ergonomically comfortable SCBAs available.

The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or NIOSH, serves as the regulatory body that certifies air-purifying respirators like N95s, assuring these products meet minimum requirements of filtration and safety. NIOSH suggests using the term “respirators” to distinguish N95s from other face coverings like cotton, surgical, or KN95 masks, which are neither tested nor certified in the U.S. to meet a standard of filtering non-oil particulates 0.3 microns or larger, 95% or better.

Dräger. Technology for Life®

Dräger is an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology. Our products protect, support, and save lives. Founded in 1889, Dräger generated revenues of around EUR 3.4 billion in 2020. The Dräger Group is currently present in over 190 countries and has more than 15,000 employees worldwide. Please visit www.draeger.com for more information.

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Posted: Aug 5, 2021

Mountain Home (AR) Fire Department Accepts Delivery of 100′ Sutphen Ladder Truck

The Mountain Home (AR) Fire Department accepted delivery of the station’s 2015 100-foot Sutphen ladder truck Wednesday, as the department officially retired its 1984 Grumman ladder truck, reports baxterbulletin.com.

The truck, initially stationed in Schenectady (NY), features a 100-foot ladder with a platform that can carry up to 1,000 pounds, which the report says allows the department to maintain its current Class 3 Insurance Service Office rating.

Related Articles:
Mountain Home (AR) Fire Department Looking for Takers for Its 104′ Ladder Truck
Mountain Home (AR) Fire Department Adds 2021 Tanker
Mountain Home (AR) Council Approves Fire Apparatus Purchase

The ladder will also allow the department to reach the top floor of Baxter Regional Medical Center, which is 95 feet in the air. The apparatus is 67,000 pounds and 47 feet long, and it features a 2,000-gallon pump capacity, seats for six crew members, and a backup camera.

The apparatus was purchased for $799,000 with money from the public safety tax. The safety tax has been used to purchase a 2020 rescue unit and a new brush truck. The report says the cost of a brand-new firetruck over the refurbished 2015 Sutphen would have cost taxpayers up to $1.7 million.

Officials said crew would start the 40-hour training needed to operate the vehicle as soon as Thursday.

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Posted: Aug 5, 2021

Small OH Town Honors Fallen Firefighter

On July 24, 2007, Mechanicsburg (OH) firefighter Jon C. Trainer tragically lost his life in the line of duty. The entire Mechanicsburg community mourned the loss of such a dear friend and dedicated firefighter. This was the first time in the history of Champaign County that a firefighter made the ultimate sacrifice and gave his life in service to others.

The village of Mechanicsburg has erected a stone monument at the station entrance to honor and commemorate Trainer’s dedication and ultimate sacrifice. A memorial ceremony was held July 24, 2021, to formally dedicate and unveil the new monument.

The project was spearheaded by two retired Mechanicsburg firefighters, Tim Shonkwiler and Phil McMahil. Both gentlemen donated their time, labor, and materials, along with guidance to see the project through.

Members of the Trainer family were joined by the Mechanicsburg Fire Department, area fire and law enforcement departments, and several Mechanicsburg-area residents to share the solemn event to express heart-felt condolences and appreciation.

The inscription on the monument is as follows: 

“On July 24, 2007, our brother Jon C. Trainer answered his last alarm. Jon grew up in Mechanicsburg and followed the family tradition of community service, dedicating his time and soul to the protection of others. In 2011 the Mechanicsburg Fire Department was named Station 30 in honor of Jon’s unit number. Today, July 24, 2021, the 14th anniversary of his sacrifice, we gather as a community to honor Jon’s memory and loss. He is gone from our sight but forever in our hearts.”

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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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