HomeExpand
- WFCExpoExpand
MembersExpand
- Fire Service DirectoryExpand
  - Associate MembersExpand
  - County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- NPPGOV Member ProgramExpand
- IAFC ForumExpand
About UsExpand
- WFC BoardExpand
- MembershipExpand
  - Department MembershipExpand
  - Affiliate MembershipExpand
  - Bugle MembershipExpand
- Contact UsExpand
NewsExpand
CalendarExpand
ResourcesExpand
- Legislative ResourcesExpand
- Job AnnouncementsExpand
- Classified AdsExpand
- EVIP InformationExpand
- WFC BookstoreExpand
- LODD ResourcesExpand
- Memorial WallExpand
- Safety CalendarExpand
- LinksExpand
- Volunteer ResourcesExpand
- Timeloss ResourcesExpand
- RFA Implementation GuideExpand
- COVID-19 ResourcesExpand
- WFC MagazineExpand
DocumentsExpand
- Association DocumentsExpand
  - Bylaws & PoliciesExpand
  - FormsExpand
  - Position PapersExpand
  - Minutes & Board BooksExpand
- Chief DocumentsExpand
  - State Chiefs RatesExpand
  - GEMT DocumentsExpand
  - NFIRS Annual ReportsExpand
  - Model PoliciesExpand
  - Training DocumentsExpand
- Legislative DocumentsExpand
- Event PresentationsExpand
- EMS Section DocumentsExpand
- Fire Administrative Support Section DocumentsExpand
- Fire Mechanics Section DocumentsExpand
- Fire Training Safety and Officers Section DocumentsExpand
- Public Fire Educators Section DocumentsExpand
SectionsExpand
- Emergency Medical ServicesExpand
- Fire Administrative SupportExpand
  - DocumentsExpand
  - Discussion Forum & RFI'sExpand
  - Member DirectoryExpand
  - MerchandiseExpand
  - Photo GalleryExpand
- Fire MechanicsExpand
  - Photo GalleryExpand
  - Training & TestingExpand
  - EVT Discussion ForumExpand
  - ScholarshipExpand
  - Award NominationExpand
- Fire Training Safety and OfficersExpand
  - Firefighter ProgramExpand
  - ScholarshipExpand
  - Photo GalleryExpand
- Public Fire EducatorsExpand
- HazMat CommitteeExpand
County Fire ChiefsExpand
- King County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- Pierce County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- Snohomish County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- Thurston County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
FRWCExpand
WSAFMExpand

Welcome

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: Jul 16, 2019

Thermal Imaging: Training with the TI

Thermal Imaging Manfred Kihn

Train Like You Mean It

An engine pulls up in front of the structure and the crew pulls off a line and heads toward the front door, seeing smoke showing from a second-story window.

The crew members mask up, crack open the nozzle to check for water flow, and make entrance into the structure while another engine, quint, and rescue arrive. The engine crew supplies the attack crew with water from a nearby hydrant and shortly thereafter the attack crew declares the fire knocked down and retreats out of the structure. Wait a minute; let me rewind and start from the beginning prior to all this happening.

Four separate fire departments that run regular mutual-aid calls got together for a routine monthly drill that I happened to be observing. The battalion chief explained the scenario to all crew members and finished by saying, “TRAIN LIKE YOU MEAN IT.”

Now let’s go back to the training evolution that this engine crew just completed; what I didn’t see was the use of a thermal imaging camera (TIC). If you’re going to train like you mean it, then why wouldn’t you use all your tools? If this was the real thing, you would want to be fully equipped and at your best. The more you use the TIC during training, the more proficient you will become.

So, let’s go back to that training evolution. This time, the captain gets off the engine with a TIC in hand. He quickly does a 360Â° situational awareness search covering the chimney and vents; across the roof level working down to the eaves, walls, doors, and windows; and down to the basement or crawlspace area as the line is being stretched. With the information gathered from this 360Â° search, the crew enters through the front door where the captain can now direct his firefighters where to go. This is called an imager-directed search.

A quick primary search confirms that the structure is vacant. Or is it? People will seek shelter from fire in many places. Shower stalls and bathtubs in bathrooms seem to be the most popular places to hide. The resident closes the bathroom door and puts a towel to seal the crack under the door to prevent the smoke from getting in. He then seeks refuge inside the tub enclosure or shower stall, closing the shower curtain or glass door.

1 Photos courtesy of Bullard.

392
0
Article rating: No rating

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute Launches Close Before You Doze Video Contest

Posted: Jul 16, 2019

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute Launches Close Before You Doze Video Contest

July 16, 2019 (Columbia, MD) –UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) launched today a nationwide contest aimed at spreading the Close Before You Doze fire safety message. This public safety campaign encourages everyone to close all the doors in their homes each night before bed as research conducted by UL FSRI shows that in a home fire, a closed door can be an effective barrier against deadly levels of carbon monoxide, smoke and flames. Now, UL FSRI is looking for the public’s help to share this message via videos that educate viewers on the importance of closing bedroom doors. The creative interpretations of this life-saving message will raise awareness and promote fire safety, and UL FSRI has committed to donating funds to the winners’ local fire department, or department of their choosing, to put toward fire safety education.

The contest is open now through Aug. 31, 2019. All qualifying submissions will be published on CloseYourDoor.org/contest, and the public will vote to determine the top eight finalists. The public voting period will run Sept. 3-15, 2019, and a panel of UL representatives will select the top contestants from the eight finalists. The winners, who will be announced in Oct. ahead of Fire Prevention Week, will receive a donation in their name to their local fire department, or fire department of their choosing, with a grand prize donation of $25,000. The runner-up and second runner-up will receive $15,000 and $10,000, respectively, and five additional winners will be recognized with a $5,000 donation and honorable mention.

“We want this video contest to inspire passionate, creative minds across the country to develop fresh, innovative and memorable ways to deliver the Close Before You Doze message,” said Zoe Susice, director of strategy and marketing at UL FSRI. “We’re open to all creative interpretations – if you are a singer, write a song about fire safety and film your performance; if you have graphic design skills, make an animated short; or if you are pet-obsessed, your animal can be the star and tell people to Close Before You Doze.”

Brad Tanner, aka Brad the Dad, created a Close Before Your Doze music video which will be released today at 7 p.m. ET to inspire contest entrants. A member of the fire service community, Tanner took a creative spin on sharing this critical message.

“We were surprised and impressed by Brad’s informative, edgy and catchy song,” continued Susice. “We’re excited to see what others come up with over the course of the contest.”

For more information about the contest and to submit a video, please visit CloseYourDoor.org/contest.

About UL FSRI:

UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) advances fire research knowledge and develops cutting edge, practical fire service education aimed at helping firefighters stay safe while more effectively protecting people and property. Guided by a global advisory board comprised of fire service personnel, UL FSRI investigates residential, commercial, and industrial fires through full-scale testing, field-testing, and modeling to replicate actual fires faced by firefighters. Research results are shared through interactive training courses that have reached hundreds of thousands of firefighters globally. To learn more, visit ULFirefighterSafety.org. Follow UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute on Read more

343
0
Article rating: No rating

Posted: Jul 16, 2019

Packed Aisles Mark Successful FDIC International 2019

BY CHRIS Mc LOONE

It’s never easy to put into words what the FDIC International experience is. This year, I have to say I would sum up my experience with one word: traffic.

During the course of three days’ worth of exhibits, I find myself traversing the show floor many, many times. According to my fitness tracker, my average number of steps on the exhibit days was 18,814. And, for all of them I found myself stuck in traffic. I’ve been doing this routine for a while now, and I feel like I have a pretty good idea of how long it takes to get from place to place. But, every time I went to make my way to another location, the number of people in the aisles slowed me down more than normal this year—which is a great thing.

No doubt this year saw even more products than last year designed with reducing firefighter exposure to carcinogens in mind. Whether wipes, clean cabs, particulate-blocking personal protective equipment (PPE), or others, there is a concerted effort industrywide to help firefighters reduce their exposure to harmful contaminants or decon themselves after exiting a contaminated atmosphere.

Â MSA unveiled LUNAR, a wireless, cloud-ready device designed to keep firefighters connected on a fire scene and allow person-to-person ranging, GPS locating, and thermal imaging. (Photo courtesy of MSA.)

1 MSA unveiled LUNAR, a wireless, cloud-ready device designed to keep firefighters connected on a fire scene and allow person-to-person ranging, GPS locating, and thermal imaging. (Photo courtesy of MSA.)

The exhibits continued to perfectly complement the hands-on training and classroom instruction firefighters received all week. After using and discussing many of the products on the floor, firefighters got to see them up close and personal during the exhibits and got to talk to, many times, the product managers who helped develop the products.

In terms of my own observations, technology continues to be a focal point of the industry, making our fire apparatus smarter and improving the quality of technology we carry with us to help locate victims or our own crews. PPE manufacturers continue to enhance their product offerings for comfort and protection—which is not an easy combination to master while maintaining maximum breathability.

Â OnScene Solutions developed the SafeTSystem for transport of breathing air bottles by personal carry or by wheeled cart. (Photo courtesy of OnScene Solutions.)

2 OnScene Solutions developed the SafeTSystem for transport of breathing air bottles by personal carry or by wheeled cart. (Photo courtesy of OnScene Solutions.)

I did notice a lot of “buzz” around aerial products this year, as many manufacturers worked to enhance existing product lines as well create new ones. More and more, fire apparatus builders are working with their vendors to help end users build rigs that m

357
0
Article rating: No rating

Posted: Jul 16, 2019

Packed Aisles Mark Successful FDIC International 2019

BY CHRIS Mc LOONE

It’s never easy to put into words what the FDIC International experience is. This year, I have to say I would sum up my experience with one word: traffic.

2 OnScene Solutions developed the SafeTSystem for transport of breathing air bottles by personal carry or by wheeled cart. (Photo courtesy of OnScene Solutions.)