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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: Sep 18, 2025

Top 10 of Thermal Imaging

MANFRED KIHN

This month, I want to focus on the “Top 10” of thermal imaging to help users have a better understanding of how helpful this technology is to them. In my travels, I see some pros and cons in some fire departments, and let’s just chalk that up to a lack of education.

1. Mounting of the thermal imagers (TIs): Have these mounted somewhere on the apparatus accessible to all who will be using them—on the front engine doghouse for the officer and rear seat area for the firefighters. The days of carry cases are gone; having TIs charging in the battalion chief’s office is all wrong.

2. Carrying the TIs: All manufacturers have a carry retractable lanyard for their TIs; make sure you have yours attached. Some firefighters prefer a longer seat belt-type carry strap, which works well too, but this is a user preference. Where you have it attached to your gear is another preference. Some prefer to have it on a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) strap, on their turnout gear, slung over their shoulder, or attached behind them to not interfere when crawling or climbing ladders.

3. Turn the TI on: While en route to the call, once you have the TI attached to your gear, turn it on. Even though it boots up quickly, the TI goes through a calibration process for approximately the first minute. This gives the TI time to warm up, and you can check to ensure it is 100% operational and confirm that the battery level is full.

4. Arriving on scene: What is your assignment? What will you be using the TI for—size-up, fire attack, search and rescue? Does your TI have specific user modes? What mode will work best for your assignment? Thermal imaging view vs. naked eye view gives you more detail and better command decision making information. Certain modes are there to help you distinguish between warmer areas of concern like during overhaul, smells and bells types of calls, or victim search and rescue.

5. Scanning with the TI: Scan with the TI slowly and methodically to understand the interpretation of the image you are seeing. The refresh rates on your TI—depending on the make and model—could range from nine to 15 Hz for situational awareness TIs to 25 to 60 Hz for advanced decision-making TIs. The smaller the number, the slower the refresh rates, which means you must scan much more slowly so you don’t miss any important details such as a victim or door/window for means of egress. Regardless, you still need to scan slowly enough for your brain to understand what you are looking at, as this is very important! When entering a room, conduct a seven-sided scan to get your situational awareness up of where you are and what you are entering. Look across the floor for structural integrity. Look straight ahead for the room layout. Look up at the ceiling for high heat and structural integrity. Look left and right in a “Z” pattern from floor to halfway up the wall to the wall and ceiling looking for room layout, victims, fire conditions, doors and windows, and elevated temperatures. Look behind you. Scan around the room.

6. Temperature measurement: Your TI has a feature that shows a digital temperature number in the lower right corner of its display screen. Do not rely on this. If your TI is compliant with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1930, Standard on Fire and Emergency Service Use of Thermal Imagers, Two-Way Portable RF Voice Communication Devices, Ground Ladders, Rescue Tools, Fire Hose, and Fire Hose Appliances (2025 ed., formerly NFPA 1801, Standard on Thermal Imagers for the Fire Service), then it will appear in BASIC PLUS mode only. No TI on the market can provide a 100% accurate temperature because there are too many variables that

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Posted: Sep 18, 2025

Broken Bow (OK) FD Adds Ferrara Pumper to Its Fleet

The Broken Bow (OK) Fire & Rescue Department was having some issues with a pumper that caused it to be undependable, necessitating its replacement. The department checked out several manufacturers and decided to have Ferrara Fire Apparatus build it a new commercial chassis pumper.

Chief Ryan Martin says Broken Bow is a combination department with 11 paid full-time firefighters covering the main station on a 48/96 schedule and 10 volunteer firefighters responding out of two substations. “We’re a 100-square-mile rural district in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma that covers an area with a lot of mountains, hills, and small dirt roads,” Martin observes. “We have hydrants in our town (Broken Bow), but not in the rural areas. A railroad runs through the middle of town, so our main station is on one side of the tracks, and the two substations are on the other side.”

The pumper has a 221-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 30 feet 6 inches, and an overall height of 10 feet 1 inch.

He continues, “We had an engine with electrical problems that became unreliable, so we went through a bid process and the winning bid went to Ferrara Fire Apparatus,” he says. Martin notes that after acquiring the new Ferrara pumper, Broken Bow Fire is running four engines, a 77-foot aerial ladder quint, four tankers, and a small rescue, which is built on a Ford F-550 chassis.

Steve Loftin, the salesman at Fire Master Fire Equipment who sold the pumper to Broken Bow, says the pumper is built on an International HV507 two-door cab and 4×4 cab and chassis with seating for three firefighters, a 450-horsepower (hp) Cummins L9 diesel engine, and an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission. Wheelbase on the pumper is 221 inches, overall length is 30 feet 6 inches, and overall height is 10 feet 1 inch.

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Posted: Sep 18, 2025

FD Bonds with University by Painting New Pumper Blue and Gold

The Lake Charles Fire Department celebrated a time-honored tradition with an Apparatus Housing Ceremony, the department said in a Facebook post Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025.

The newest pumper—decorated in McNeese State University blue and gold—was officially welcomed into service. Affectionately dubbed “Big Blue” by Mayor Marshall Simien, Jr., this special engine not only strengthens the fleet but also honors the proud connection between McNeese State and the city of Lake Charles.

From pushing the truck into its new home to blessing it for the work ahead, Tuesday’s ceremony highlighted both the rich traditions of the fire service and the spirit of community that makes Lake Charles strong.

“We are thrilled to have officially welcomed ‘Big Blue’ into service earlier today,” the department said in the post. “The dream for this custom fire engine began 25 years ago and has been in the works for the past four years.”

To quote Chief Delton Carter from today’s ceremony:

“Just as McNeese stands as a symbol of excellence, resilience and service, so too does the fire service, united in a shared commitment to teamwork, dedication and protecting what we hold dear. This truck is more than equipment; it’s a reminder of the powerful bond between McNeese, the city of Lake Charles, and the men and women who answer the call to serve.”

The post FD Bonds with University by Painting New Pumper Blue and Gold appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Sep 17, 2025

Arbitrator Orders Kansas City (MO) FF Involved in Deadly Crash Reinstated

A Kansas City firefighter involved in the 2021 Westport fire truck crash that killed three people will get his job back and be allowed to drive again if a court affirms an arbitrator’s ruling.

Arbitrator Leland Shurin ordered that firefighter Dominic Biscari be reinstated with full back pay and benefits, and that his personnel file reflect only a three-day suspension without pay, KMBC and The Kansas City Star report. The ruling also allows Biscari to operate fire apparatus again.

Biscari pleaded guilty in 2023 to three counts of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to probation and community service. Following his plea, the city suspended him without pay and moved to fire him, but the firefighters union filed a grievance, arguing the city violated due process.

Shurin said the city’s disciplinary actions were more severe than in comparable cases and that Biscari had been denied a fair process. The ruling is awaiting confirmation in Jackson County Circuit Court.

The post Arbitrator Orders Kansas City (MO) FF Involved in Deadly Crash Reinstated 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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