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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: Jun 10, 2025

Editor’s Opinion: It All Comes Back to the Big Picture

Editor’s Opinion | Chris Mc Loone

My former chief used to tell the line officers to always remember the big picture in whatever decision we were making—whether on the fireground or back at the firehouse.

I used to tell my three boys the same thing—to the point that I’m sure they got tired of hearing it. Side note, they mimic me saying it, but I’m pretty sure they get it. But, keeping that big picture in mind is critical in anything we do so our decisions are not shortsighted. While these decisions could ease whatever pain we’re experiencing in the short term, they may not benefit us in the long term.

Fire apparatus purchasing, particularly right now, is an area where we must remember the big picture. There is a lot of what I consider noise being made around fire apparatus right now—and on a national level. Not many saw that coming. But it doesn’t benefit any departments to get caught up in listening to all the noise when the fact remains that fire apparatus reach the end of their life cycles and must be replaced. Fire apparatus break down and must be repaired. We need qualified emergency vehicle technicians to make these repairs to get the rigs back in service as soon as possible.

Apparatus fleets comprise a big piece of a fire department’s budget, and when demands for budget cuts come down, the fleet is often a place leaders look to see what, if any, cuts can be made. Sometimes these cuts come in the form of delaying fire truck replacement. Sometimes they could be via reducing fleet maintenance personnel. But, in these instances, looking long term and considering the big picture become vital. Delaying apparatus replacement—long term—is not the way to go. When the next replacement cycle comes around, you’ll have double the number of rigs to replace. Reducing fleet maintenance personnel at the same time is also not the way to go. Delaying replacement means aging trucks are going to need more frequent repair. Reducing the number of people you have to repair these aging rigs that are coming into the shop more frequently is not going a long way toward reducing out-of-service time.

I am not suggesting that we snap our fingers and get new trucks and qualified people to maintain them. That’s not realistic. And, I do know that departments across the country are struggling to come up with solutions to their fleet challenges given the current purchasing environment with increased costs and lead times. During these times, it’s always a good idea to look at departments that have experienced similar challenges.

In 2016, the Boston (MA) Fire Department undertook the twofold task of updating its fleet and its maintenance division—at the same time. Like many things, this undertaking resulted from a tragedy. In “Creating A Mission-Capable Fleet” (October 2016), the author states, “There are times when organizations analyze where they are and their current status and realize that change is necessary. Dwelling on how the entity arrived at its current location is less important than making the necessary changes and moving forward.” Rigs have to be replaced, and we need personnel to fix them. To meet a fire department’s operational needs, the apparatus must be mission-capable. But, to ensure each rig is mission-capable means having a fleet maintenance operation that can meet the needs of the apparatus. Operational needs—THEY are the big picture.

We know that lead times are long for custom rigs right now. We know that costs have increased. We know that manufacturers, large and small, offer options that can reduce the lead times as well as the cost for new apparatus. We know that there is a lot of noise being made across the Internet and at a national level about the causes for the current purchasing atmosphere in which we find ourselves. Our challenge is to block out the noise, to keep the opera

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Posted: Jun 10, 2025

Stolen GA Ambulance Chase Ends in Crash

Police chased a stolen ambulance across multiple counties in Georgia Monday, ending only when the ambulance crashed.

The chase started when police and EMS responded to a two-vehicle crash in Effingham County at about 4 p.m.. According to WJCL, Rincon Police responded to the scene, but two individuals involved in the wreck fled on foot.

As officers searched the area, authorities say an ambulance was stolen nearby, triggering a police pursuit that stretched for several miles. During the chase, the driver of the stolen ambulance rammed a Rincon Police cruiser, which then collided with another vehicle, police say. One officer sustained minor injuries.

Efforts to stop the ambulance included a failed PIT maneuver by Rincon Police, followed by Port Wentworth officers deploying spike strips. The pursuit ended near Saussy Road and Highway 21 in Port Wentworth when the stolen ambulance crashed into a ditch.

Two suspects were taken into custody and booked into the Effingham County Jail.

Visit WJCL for more.

The post Stolen GA Ambulance Chase Ends in Crash appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Jun 10, 2025

WATCH | A Day in the Life of a Paramedic Battalion Chief

Ride along with Aurora (CO) Fire Rescue Paramedic Battalion Chief Tony Krenz during a day of emergency responses, training, and a cardiac arrest save recognition, the department shared on its YouTube.com channel.



The post WATCH | A Day in the Life of a Paramedic Battalion Chief appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Jun 9, 2025

FAMA Forum: What You Need to Know About 2027 Engines

Understanding the pending EPA emissions regulations and their impact on fire apparatus has been a topic of growing urgency among fire departments, manufacturers, and specifiers. In this episode of the FAMA Forum Podcast, featuring Chris Crowel, Emergency Vehicles Lead for Cummins, and Jason Witmier, Director of Education and Technology for Safe Fleet, broke down what lies ahead for fire service engines as new EPA standards take effect in 2027.

While overall engine weight increases are minimal, these design shifts may influence cab and chassis layout. A bigger radiator and aftertreatment system may impact the engine tunnel (“doghouse”). This could also affect pump panel configurations and body compartments, especially for apparatus without a pump like rescues or aerials, where aftertreatment devices may cut into storage space. OEMs are actively working on packaging solutions to minimize these impacts, and most do not anticipate needing costly recertifications like crash testing.

More FAMA content can be found at www.fireapparatus.com/fama.

The post FAMA Forum: What You Need to Know About 2027 Engines 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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