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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: Feb 22, 2023

Vertical Integration and American Manufacturing Shine at Whelen Engineering

By Ed Ballam

For more than 70 years, Whelen Engineering has been an innovator in the warning systems business, manufacturing lights and sirens for everything from large tornado alert systems to lights for fire officers’ SUVs, cruisers, ambulances, and fire trucks. Scene lighting is a huge part of the business as well.

In recent years, Whelen has increasingly become more vertically integrated, able to produce virtually every component of the products it makes as well as even support its own facilities’ physical plant needs with on-staff heating and air-conditioning technicians and truck drivers to move products as needed.

That integration is a source of pride for Whelen and is completely intentional, explains Whelen’s CEO Geoff Marsh.

“We want to control all of the processes at all levels,” Marsh explains. “It’s our way of controlling our own destiny. When we rely on our own processes, we have far better quality control as well.”

Whelen Engineering, founded in 1952, is headquartered in Chester (CT), in a facility that’s about 200,000 square feet. A second, much larger facility is located in Charlestown (NH) on a 40-acre campus with six buildings totaling about 800,000 square feet. As of late fall, the company employed a total of 1,529 people, with about 800 of those located in Charlestown. Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Editor Ed Ballam was given a VIP tour of that facility in November. Jerry Maslan, Whelen’s New Hampshire facilities manager, was the tour guide.

The Charlestown plant is buzzing with activity on an unseasonably warm early winter day. Maslan points out workers moving dirt for a small drainage project on the campus and says they’re Whelen employees. Shortly after, a 53-foot tractor-trailer truck pulls up the main driveway, emblazoned with a large red Whelen logo on the side of the box. At the wheel is another Whelen employee. Maslan says the company tries to do everything it can in house, part of the vertical integration philosophy that allows the company to be self-reliant and nimble when necessary.

 

 The light bar assembly area at Whelen’s Charlestown (NH) plant. (Photos by author.)

 

 

 Inspector Sandy Lord checks assembled light bars before shipping.

 

 

 Terry Rambin operates a robotic assembly machine at

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Posted: Feb 22, 2023

Fire Apparatus of the Day: February 22, 2023

Seagrave—Ephrata (PA) Pioneer Fire Company 95-foot Aerialscope. Marauder stainless-steel tilt cab and chassis; Cummins X12 500-hp engine; Harrison 6-kW generator. Dealer: Troy Wenger, 10-8 Emergency Vehicle Service, New Holland, PA.


PREVIOUS PHOTO OF THE DAY >>

MORE FIRE APPARATUS ARTICLES >>

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Posted: Feb 22, 2023

Kansas City (MO) Firefighter Guilty of Manslaughter in Fatal Fire Truck Crash

Katie Moore, Glenn Rice – The Kansas City Star


A Kansas City firefighter who pleaded guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, allowing him to be sentenced to three years of probation.

Dominic Biscari, 22, was charged Tuesday in a 2021 crash that claimed the lives of three Kansas Citians.

According to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, Biscari was placed on probation for three years. He is prohibited from carrying a firearm and must complete 40 hours of community service.

Judge Janette Rodecap approved the plea agreement during a court hearing Tuesday.

Katie Moore, Glenn Rice – The Kansas City Star
A Kansas City firefighter who pleaded guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, allowing him to be sentenced to three years of probation.

Dominic Biscari, 22, was charged Tuesday in a 2021 crash that claimed the lives of three Kansas Citians.

According to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, Biscari was placed on probation for three years. He is prohibited from carrying a firearm and must complete 40 hours of community service.

Judge Janette Rodecap approved the plea agreement during a court hearing Tuesday.

“Though this plea will not restore their lives or heal their grief, it demonstrates a level of accountability for the actions of the firefighter who carried a public duty,” Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said. “We also hope this motivates further review of the best and the safest practices for operating public vehicles. Our community requires more care.”

Several lawsuits were filed in the aftermath of the crash and last month, Kansas City agreed to pay more than $1.3 million to the family members of the victims.

©2023 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Posted: Feb 22, 2023

Perrysburg Township (OH) Spends $31K for New Decon Tool

In an effort to improve the long-term safety of the township firefighters, the Perrysburg Township Trustees approved a new equipment decontamination unit, sent-trib.com reported.

At the Feb. 15 meeting, the trustees approved the purchase of Rescue Intellitech Solo Rescue SCBA DECON Washer package for $31,000, the report said. It can be used to wash the self-contained breathing apparatus, boots, gloves and helmets.

Fire Chief Tom Brice compared it to a heavy duty dishwasher with specialized equipment holders, the report said.

Brice pointed out the urgency of the purchase, which had been planned and discussed for years, but with inflation the price will be increasing to $32,000 after Feb. 27.

Recent cancer statistics show a greater rate for the disease with firefighters than with the general public, which can be directly traced to contaminants from the emergency situations they deal with as a part of their job, according to the report.

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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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