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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 9, 2023

New Fire Engine Arrives in Atlantic City (NJ)

The Atlantic City Fire Department has added a brand-new fire truck to the fleet, the department’s fourth new apparatus in the last four years, the city announced in a news release. Engine 3 will primarily serve Atlantic City’s Westside and Venice Park neighborhoods.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr., ACFD Chief Scott Evans, ACFD Union President John Varallo and members of the ACFD, as per tradition when a new apparatus enters the fleet, pushed Engine 3 into Fire Station 3 at Indiana and Grant Avenues, where the truck will be stationed.

“The men and women of the Atlantic City Fire Department can expect more reliability with this new engine,” said Chief Evans. “Having that confidence that your equipment will work well in an emergency situation goes a long way. We just want to thank Mayor Small who, since taking over office, has made sure this department has the necessary tools to properly do our jobs and protect Atlantic City.”

Engine 3 was built 18 months ago and replaces a 20-year-old engine. The ACFD is expecting three additional new engines to be delivered in the coming months.

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Posted: Feb 9, 2023

Hagerstown-Jefferson Township (IN) Volunteer Fire Department Chooses Toyne to Build Rescue-Pumper

By Alan M. Petrillo

Toyne built this rescue-pumper on a Spartan Metro Star LFD chassis and cab with a 10-inch raised roof for Hagerstown-Jefferson Township (IN) Volunteer Fire Department. (Photos courtesy of Toyne)

Hagerstown-Jefferson Township (IN) Volunteer Fire Department, a small fire department in a rural Indiana community, was having difficulty staffing its apparatus during the day, a situation that many volunteer fire departments around the country are experiencing. The department needed to replace its walk-in rescue truck, and one of its engines was getting elderly, so it decided to combine two trucks into one and buy a new rescue-pumper. The department chose Toyne to build that truck.

Rick Cole, Hagerstown-Jefferson Township’s chief, points out that when the department responds to motor vehicle accidents it has to run two rigs, its rescue and a pumper to the call, but with the new Toyne rescue-pumper, it only has to staff a single vehicle. “Our new Toyne rescue-pumper carries all the rescue equipment that we had on the old rescue, like our TNT hosed hydraulic extrication tools, a cutter, spreader, two rams and a combi tool, and also our Holmatro struts,” Cole says.

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The rescue-pumper has a Waterous CS 1,250-gpm pump, a UPF Poly 750-gallon water tank, a 25-gallon foam cell, and a FoamPro 2001 Class A foam proportioning system.

Jeff Murray, fire truck salesman for Donley Safety, who sold the Toyne rescue-pumper to Hagerstown-Jefferson Township, says the rig is built on a Spartan Metro Star LFD chassis and cab with a 10-inch raised roof and seating for six firefighters, five of them in SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) seats. The rescue-pumper is powered by a 400-horsepower (hp) Cummins L9 diesel engine and an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission, and has a Waterous CS 1,250-gallon per minute (gpm) pump, a UPF Poly® 750-gallon water tank, a 25-gallon foam cell, and a FoamPro 2001 Class A foam proportioning system.

Cole says one of the department’s objectives was to make the rescue-pu

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Posted: Feb 9, 2023

Bulldog Fire Apparatus Inc. Begins Operating Major Refurb and Repair Center in Nesquehoning, PA

Bulldog Fire Apparatus Inc. announced the launch and operations of a major refurb and repair center in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, utilizing the former KME Fire Apparatus factory facilities and will specialize in the refurbishment of apparatus, specializing in aerial ladder devices, with the capability to perform all fabrication, paint, and fit and finish along with providing wiring harness fabrication operation and full graphics department. This facility will also perform upfitting and equipment mounting of new apparatus prior to delivery.

“Bulldog Fire Apparatus is one of the largest KME dealers and in my 17 years with Bulldog, I have enjoyed visiting the Nesquehoning facility many times. Each time, I was struck by the dedication, pride, and quality of the KME workforce. Finding qualified, technically skilled people in today’s market is very challenging.” said Bulldog President Jeffrey Mazza. At the time of this release, Bulldog has already hired 35 employees and will continue to ramp up as business grows utilizing the existing firetruck experience in the local area.

Furthermore, the market is facing unprecedented pressure from the chassis shortage and other supply chain issues. It is a difficult time in the Fire/EMS industry with departments being hit by inflation and budget constraints. With long lead times and increasing costs, departments are being forced to run rigs longer and face slower replacement cycles. To offer our customer relationships full chassis off Refurbishment and Repair of existing units is a necessary alternative to keep their fleets operating efficiently.

“Leveraging the workforce, we can hit the ground running. Combining their expertise with plant, tools, and equipment will allow us to restore more fire apparatus to like-new condition than ever before. Moreover, we will have the capacity to take on additional specialty truck projects that other OEMs cannot. It’s a win-win for us. We genuinely look forward to working with the Nesquehoning community to better serve first responders nationwide” Bulldog President Jeff Mazza stated

For more information about Bulldog Fire Apparatus, please visit our website www.BulldogFireApparatus.com.

About Bulldog Fire & Emergency Apparatus: Bulldog Fire & Emergency Apparatus was established in 1933 as a fire apparatus manufacturer. Over the years, the company evolved to represent other emergency vehicle manufacturers, including KME Fire Apparatus, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Fouts Bros. Fire Apparatus, Ward Apparatus, Demers Ambulances, Braun Ambulances, Crestline Ambulances, and Osage Ambulances. Today, they are a one-stop shop from sales to service. They offer in-shop and on-site repair, preventative maintenance, custom fabrication, accident repair, body and paintwork, refurbishments, remounts, equipment mounting, aerial and pump testing, antique restoration, and graphics. To learn more about Bulldog Fire & Emergency Apparatus, visit www.BulldogFireApparatus.com.

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Posted: Feb 9, 2023

Fire Apparatus of the Day: February 9, 2023

Sutphen—Massillon (OH) Fire Department 75-foot mid-mount aerial ladder quint. Monarch cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon water tank; FRC and HiViz LED scene lights; Whelen LED warning lights; 304 stainless-steel body; low ”pumper”-style hosebed; Zico electric ladder rack. Dealer: Ray Capezzuto, Herb Fire Equipment, Powell, OH.


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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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