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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: Jan 19, 2023

Air Systems International Announces Mick Bowden Named Vice President Sales & Marketing and Other Team Member Changes

Chesapeake, Virginia – January 19, 2023

Air Systems International announces several team member changes, including the promotion of Mick Bowden to Vice President Sales & Marketing.

Mick joined Air Systems in 2004 after starting his industrial sales career with Fastenal. In March 2008, Mick was promoted to National Sales Manager.

Mick is a fixture at trade shows (AIHce, ASSP, AMMP, FDIC, & NSC to name a few) and always eager to discuss customer applications and solutions. Mick is also lead trainer and often in the field training distributors and factory representatives. He also visits customer work sites to diagnose issues related to confined space ventilation / respiratory protection, while offering off the shelf and custom solutions.

Mick started his career in the U.S. Coast Guard prior to entering the safety industry.

We congratulate Mick on his promotion and wish him the best in his new position.

At the end of December, two long time employees departed the company:

  • Mike Fugere (International Sales Coordinator) – International distributors can now use ASI@airsystems.com for international inquiries and support.
  • Lisa Hobbs (Order Entry Administrator)

We wish Mike and Lisa good luck on their new career paths.

About Air Systems International Incorporated

Air Systems International is a privately owned company founded in Chesapeake, Virginia in 1984. Air Systems manufactures Grade-D breathing air filtration units, air cylinder carts, confined space ventilation equipment, portable area lighting, and environmental control products.


Contact Stephen Durr, Marketing Manager Phone: (757) 424-3967
stephen@airsystems.com

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Posted: Jan 19, 2023

Warriors Mark (PA) Volunteer Fire Company Offers $500 Reward for Information on Stolen Items

The Warriors Mark Franklin Volunteer Fire Company issued this statement on social media Jan. 7:

“As some of you may have heard, our fire company had some items taken from our building and out of our trucks, such as a SCBA Air Pack, members helmets and portable radios etc. We decided to reach out to the community in case anyone may come in contact with the stolen items. The pictures include what the air pack looks like, our custom stamp on the air pack cylinder and the stickers we put on our equipment. We are offering a $500 reward for information helping us locate our items. If you have any information or have come in contact with any items with our tags please contact Chief Jerry Seeger, Deputy Chief Roy Ellenberger, Assistant Chief Kyle Seeger or the PA State Police in Huntingdon. Thank you for your help.”

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Posted: Jan 19, 2023

Lafayette (LA) Fire Station No. 3 in Truman Reopens

There is once again a fire station in Lafayette’s Truman neighborhood, katc.com reported. The new station is located on Cooper Road.

The original station was built in 1970, and was torn down 3 years ago, the report said. The grand opening of the new state-of-the-art fire station took place on Wednesday.

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Posted: Jan 19, 2023

Using Basic Instincts vs. Thermal Technology

Thermal Imaging Manfred Kihn

Training firefighters is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. Today, our fire service is changing as we find ourselves responding more to medical emergencies than fighting fires. We continue to embrace technology, albeit cautiously, as we look for tools to help us perform our jobs more effectively and safely.
Carl Nix

 

Improvements have been made to equipment including halligan bars and ladders. We are now equipping emergency medical technicians and paramedics with portable ultrasound devices and handheld portable blood analyzers. The fire service is even looking into virtual reality training.

Thermal imagers (TIs) have certainly come a long way as well—from the large, heavy models to ergonomically designed lighter models that attach to a firefighter’s turnout gear to imagers that are equipped in a firefighter’s self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and SCBA face masks. With all these advances, we are a safer fire service.

My instincts as a firefighter come from years of fighting fires and experiencing close calls that could have ended tragically. Those instincts were formed before the TI was a firefighting tool. My instincts come from training, experience, and never feeling overconfident when responding to a fire call. I have learned to always expect the unexpected.

With all the latest technology in the fire service, the TI may be the one tool that can cause firefighters to feel overconfident and make mistakes. Let’s look at a couple of instances where a TI can give firefighters a false sense of security.

TACTICS

There is proof that the use of thermal imaging technology in the fire service makes our jobs safer. It allows us to move faster through the structure and see where we normally could not see. Trapped victims have been saved from burning structures because the TI has given firefighters the sight to identify victims through the smoke and quickly escape a dangerous situation. The speed at which the crew can move has increased because of the use of thermal imaging.

 

1 You are unable to see the stairs, creating a black hole. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

 

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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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