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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 1, 2021

Columbus Fire & EMS Department Purchases Active Air Purification Systems

OCALA, FL – FEBRUARY 1, 2021 E-ONE®, a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc. and a leading manufacturer of fire apparatus, has received an order for 36 Active Air Purification Systems to be installed into existing fire apparatus for the Columbus Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services in Columbus, Georgia.

The units are being placed in the department’s front line and reserve apparatus. This includes 16 engines, seven ladder trucks, three squad trucks and 10 ambulances. Going forward, all new apparatus will have these units installed as a requirement.

As another innovative solution within E-ONE’s overall clean cab technology portfolio, the Active Air Purification System eliminates 99 percent of pathogens, including COVID-19, both in the air and on surfaces, producing improved air quality and a much safer cab environment. Taking advantage of advanced photohydroionization™ (PHI) and UV technology, this unique purification system also offers:

  • Proven reduction in sneeze germs by 99 percent within three feet*
  • Proven efficiency on microbes (third party tested on Avian Flu, H1N1, sneeze test)
  • Proven impact on reducing odor

The compact design of the Active Air Purification System enables it to be mounted in different locations within the cab while still achieving the same results. This offers the flexibility required to retrofit the system into current vehicles. Purchase of these units is funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

“The purchase of the Active Air Purification Units is paramount to the health and safety of our employees in the ever-evolving infectious environments in which they are exposed,” said Mike Higgins, Deputy Chief of Administrative Services for Columbus. “These units will ultimately create a safer environment while responding to and from emergency alarms.”

Columbus Fire & EMS worked with FireLine Inc, E-ONE’s Georgia dealer, on the purchase and installation of these units. Due to increasing concerns about first responders’ exposure to COVID-19 and dangerous contaminants from firefighting gear, E-ONE has seen a continuous demand for the Active Air Purification System from fire departments around the nation.

“Columbus Fire & EMS and E-ONE have partnered on fire apparatus for many years.  Taking the next step to help this department provide innovative technology to protect their first responders is a natural fit.” said Larry Daniels, E-ONE’s Director of Sales.  “Our first responders deserve the be

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Posted: Feb 1, 2021

Saybrook Township (OH) Plans for New $2 Million Fire Station

According to a report from The Star Beacon, a planned $2 million Saybrook Township (OH) Fire Department (STFD) station, expected to be built on the west side of Route 45 near Route 531, is becoming more and more likely.

Township trustees are now actively looking for a design/engineering firm for a new, 8,000-square-foot fire station that has four drive-through apparatus bays and living quarters. The proposed site will include three or four acres of land.

Township Trustee Norm Jepson said that the town hopes to break ground on the station by this spring, with completion happening sometime this summer.

STFD Chief John Jyurovat said a new Station No. 2 was a priority for new $3.5-mill levy funds, which voters approved overwhelmingly in November. The levy generates about $550,000 a year.

After railroad traffic increased and frequently blocked traffic, trustees decided in 2014 to staff Station No. 2 on Carpenter Road to protect the northern section of Saybrook. However, the current building doesn’t have living space or sewers, so Saybrook rents a house at 5036 Lake Road for on-duty personnel to use.

The new station also means water rescue capabilities will be moved closer to Lake Erie and be kept inside the new station, Jyurovat said.

The post Saybrook Township (OH) Plans for New $2 Million Fire Station appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

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Posted: Feb 1, 2021

Yurok Tribe Donates New Apparatus to Klamath (CA) Fire Protection District

According to a report from Redheaded Blackbelt, the Yurok Tribe in California has donated a brand-new, fully equipped fire apparatus to the Klamath (CA) Fire Protection District (KFPD).

Yurok Tribe Chairman Joseph L. James said that he hopes the donation will enhance the health and safety of all residents in southern Del Norte County and northern Humboldt County.

Yurok Fire Department Chief Rod Mendes said he expects the apparatus to serve the KFPD for the next 25 years.

KFPD Chief Lonnie Levi said that the truck will improve the department’s capacity to respond to large fires, medical calls, and hazmat incidents.

The new engine was purchased with funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Manufactured by HME Ahrens-Fox and purchased through HME distributor Derotic LLC, the HME Model 18 Type 1 fire engine is an all-hazards response emergency vehicle that can facilitate fast and effective responses to structure fires, medical calls, hazardous materials, and rescue calls. It features a high-capacity pump, water tank, hose in multiple diameters, ladders, and foam capability and can also hold many different types of tools and equipment such as air lift bags, extension and roof ladders, a generator, ventilation fans, extrication equipment, large-diameter hose, self-contained breathing apparatus, and medical response gear.

The KFPD provides fire prevention and protection services and emergency medical aid. Many Yurok citizens reside within the District’s service area, which extends from Last Chance Grade to the Orick’s northern border. The Yurok Tribe’s administration building, Tribal Court, and emergency operations center (which is almost completed) as well as the Yurok Police Department’s headquarters are all located within KFPD’s response area.

The KFPD’s volunteer crew is the first to arrive at motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), structure fires, health-related crises, and many other types of emergencies. Similar to other rural areas, the nearest ambulance is about 45 minutes away and can take much longer if multiple concurrent incidents are occurring in far off locations. The KFPD’s crew often performs life-saving procedures to stabilize patients prior to medical transport vehicle arrival.

The post Yurok Tribe Donates New Apparatus to Klamath (CA) Fire Protection District appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

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Posted: Feb 1, 2021

Skamania Fire District #1 Bolsters Fleet With New Toyne Engine 11

Trading views of the cornfields of Iowa for forested mountains of southern Washington state, a new Toyne Pumper–named Engine 11–has been delivered to its new home with Skamania Fire District (SFD) #1. This is the department’s second Toyne Tailored Apparatus and, just like the other Toyne in their fleet, it is geared explicitly for SFD’s needs.

Established in 1959, SFD #1 has been providing fire protection to the residents of Carson, Cook, Stabler, and surrounding communities in Skamania County for over half a century. In total, the department watches over a mountainous territory that spans nearly 44 square miles. To cover such a large area, the fire district has 35 highly trained volunteers that respond to fire, medical, trail, rope, vehicle, and hazardous material emergencies. Their new Toyne Apparatus is designed to reinforce their dedicated response efforts to those they serve.

“This versatile Toyne Pumper will be a valuable addition to Skamania Fire District’s fleet and a big help to the volunteers serving their communities,” said Bill Bird, Toyne Product Support Coordinator. “We are proud to be a part of their process, and to be trusted by this fire department to build highly capable apparatus.”

Skamania’s pumper is mounted to a Spartan Metro Star MFD chassis with a ten-inch raised roof. Under the hood, the apparatus is equipped with a 450-horsepower Cummins ISL9 engine and an Allison 3,000 EVS Transmission. The cab’s interior has enough seating for six occupants and hosts several different features, including a backup camera system, in-cab custom storage, and an in-cab radio system with mounted headsets. Engine 11 is covered in a two-tone black/red paint scheme with custom lettering and striping.

This pumper body is stall-built with bolted-painted stainless steel. Designs called for plenty of customized storage to meet the fire department’s needs. Fitted on each side of the engine’s storage compartments are ROM painted roll-up doors for fast, easy entry to equipment. For added ease of access to all of the tools of the trade, the main storage compartments feature Toyne’s custom slide-out shelving and custom swing-out toolboard. 

Enough storage is available over each wheel well to accommodate up to eight SCBA bottles, with additional SCBA mounts added to the primary storage compartments. On the top-side of the equipment compartments is room for hard suction hoses. At the rear end of the apparatus is an area for slide-in ladder and pike pole storage.

At the heart of the department’s new pumper is a 1,250-gallon-per-minute Hale Qflo pump. To feed this beast of a pump, Engine 11 is equipped with a 1,000-gallon UPF tank. For added fire support, Toyne installed a Foam Pro 2001 Class A foam system with a 30-gallon foam cell. In addition, the Skamania firefighters have an Elkhart Volcan Perm Monitor with a telescoping tiller extension at their disposal.

A host of electrical components ensures Engine 11 can support these first responders beyond fire suppression. Toyne mounted a hefty 10,000-Watt Onan hydraulic generator that can provide continuous power to apparatus’ two electric cord reels and Fire Research telescoping lights. SFD’s pumper is also wired up with Whelen warning lights, Whelen MV9 scene lighting, Firetech Hiviz 72-inch LED brow light, and ILI LED strip compartment lighting. 

For additional information about SFD #1, visit their Facebook page at Facebook.com/SkamaniaFireDistrict1.

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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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