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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: Nov 21, 2025

TX Fire District Takes Delivery of First Quint

Denton County Emergency Services District No. 1 & 2 recently celebrated the arrival of new Quint 512 with a special Push-In Ceremony, the district said in a Facebook post. The quint is the first in the district’s history.

A quint is a multi-functional fire apparatus that serves five key purposes — it carries a pump, water tank, hose, aerial ladder, and ground ladders. In other words, it combines the capabilities of both an engine and a ladder truck into one piece of equipment.

Quint 512 will enhance the fire district’s ability to protect lives and property across the community. Its versatility allows crews to respond more efficiently to a wide range of emergencies—from structure fires to rescues—strengthening public safety for everyone in Denton County ESD 1’s service area.

“Thank you to our community for joining us as we honored tradition, celebrated progress, and officially welcomed Quint 512 into service,” the fire district said.

Specifications

ChassisEnforcer™
BodyAscendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladder
Actual Overall Height11′ 11″
EnginePACCAR MX-13
Horsepower510 hp
Front SuspensionTAK-4® Independent Front Suspension
Rear SuspensionSpring
Electrical SystemCommand Zone™
Foam SystemHusky™ 3
PumpWaterous Midship
Pump GPM2000 gpm
TankFoam
Water
Tank Size500 gallons

The post TX Fire District Takes Delivery of First Quint appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Nov 20, 2025

Guadalajara International Airport Orders Striker® 6×6 ARFF Vehicle

A new Striker® ARFF supports safety and operational readiness at one of Mexico’s busiest airports, reinforcing a decades-long partnership.

APPLETON, Wisconsin (November 20, 2025) – Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc. and an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) business, announced today Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) has placed an order for an Oshkosh Striker® 6×6 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle. The vehicle will join the airport’s fully Oshkosh-equipped ARFF fleet and continue a trusted partnership which began more than two decades ago.

Guadalajara International Airport first acquired an Oshkosh ARFF in 2002 and today operates a robust fleet which includes a Striker 6×6 with a Snozzle® High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET), a Striker 4×4, a Striker 4×4 with a Snozzle HRET, and a Striker 6×6. The airport selected Oshkosh Airport Products again based on proven product reliability, advanced technology, and the strong local support provided by Oshkosh Airport Product’s dealer, ATEPSA (Autobuses Especializados S.A. de C.V.).

“Operational safety and uninterrupted service are essential for an airport connecting millions of passengers across Mexico and beyond,” said Robert Colon, Associate Manager International Sales at Oshkosh Airport Products. “The new Striker 6×6 ensures Guadalajara is prepared to respond to complex emergencies across its airport grounds and surrounding terrain. We are proud to continue supporting this airport with vehicles embodying reliability, performance, and innovation.”

Features of the Striker® 6×6 ARFF vehicle include:

  • Scania DC16, 670 HP engine for power and reliability
  • Hydraulic 10kW electric generator for powering mission-critical systems independent of external sources
  • Oshkosh® Eco-EFP™ foam system for precise, environmentally responsible foam measurement and delivery
  • Two preconnected handlines, regulated for versatile firefighting operations
  • Low attack bumper turret (1,250 GPM) with Hydrochem Nozzle and roof turret (1,250 GPM) for high-performance firefighting
  • Dual agent hose reel and air hose reel mounted inside compartment
  • Electric cord reel for extended operational capabilities

Delivery of the Striker 6×6 is scheduled for December 2025, with on-site commissioning and operator training led by Oshkosh Airport Products’ International Field Service Representatives.

“ATEPSA has proudly represented Oshkosh in Mexico for over two decades, and we are thrilled to support Guadalajara International Airport with this new Striker ARFF,” said Eduardo Palacio Hasson, General Manager/President of ATEPSA. “Our close proximity to the airport and expanded service facilities in Guadalajara ensure we can deliver the immediate support and spare parts necessary to keep these vehicles mission ready.”

For more information about Oshkosh Airport Products and the new Striker 6×6 ARFF vehicle at Guadalajara International Airport, visit www.oshkoshairport.com.

About Oshkosh Airport Products

Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business (NYSE:OSK), is a designer and builder of industry-leading airport firefighting vehicles. Its flagship Striker® Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles are known for their durability and premium performance and are sold throughout the world. For more information, visit www.oshkoshairport.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, purpose-built vehicles and equi

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Posted: Nov 20, 2025

Two Rescue-Engines Instead of One Heavy Rescue

Apparatus Ideas Bob Vaccaro

About 35 miles south of Indianapolis, Indiana, sits the city of Martinsville. The city itself has a population of 13,000 who inhabit 12 square miles.

The Martinsville Fire Department’s response area is mostly rural with farmland and a combination of some strip shopping centers and approximately 600 single-family homes with a major interstate running through it.

The fire department is a combination department with one station that offers an emergency medical services (EMS) squad, a rescue squad, a ladder truck, a brush truck, two engines, and several support vehicles. Six firefighters per shift work 24 hours on and 48 hours off. Twenty career cross-trained fire and EMS personnel and a combination of volunteers make up the operation of the department presently.

1 One of the Martinsville (IN) Fire Department’s rescue-engines built on an E-ONE Cyclone cab and chassis. [Photos courtesy of the Martinsville (IN) Fire Department.]

2 The rear of one of the rescue-engines, showing a complement of ladders and struts.

Eric Hoskins, a firefighter/emergency medical technician and chairman of the apparatus purchasing committee, states, “Our committee was in the design phase of ordering a new heavy rescue for the department back in 2019. Originally planned was the design of a large tandem-axle apparatus that would be large and have a great deal of compartment space for our tools and equipment plus have additional room for the future should we decide to expand our operations.” After talking to city council members about the budget and the cost factor, the committee found out there was more money than originally planned and was told it could purchase two vehicles. “Our community was expanding, and a new station was being built in 2026. Our committee decided to design and purchase two identical rescue-engines. The engines we designed would have identical bodies and would operate with the same tools and equipment, plus have the option of operating as an engine company as well.”

3 Shown are a saw, blower, oil dry, and portable generator

4 An extended front bumper with its complement of hose.

The committee decided to go with E-ONE for the apparatus purchase since the department had purchased an E-ONE quint in 2019 and was happy with the way the apparatus turned out. “E-ONE and its local dealer Fire Service Inc. were great to deal with in all aspects,” says Hoskins.

E-ONE Rescue-Engines

  • E-ONE Cyclone cabs and chassis
  • 3⁄16-inch extruded aluminum cab and bodies
  • Cummins L9 450-hp engines
  • Allision EVS 3000 automatic transmissions
  • ABS brakes
  • Jacobs compression engine brakes
  • Side-mount 1,500-gpm single-stage eMAX pumps
  • 500-gallon water tanks
  • Ve Read more
    Posted: Nov 20, 2025

    FL Department Receives $715K in Federal Funding for New Ladder Truck

    The city of Inverness (FL) will receive $715,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Program, according to a press release.

    The funding was included in the appropriations bill signed into law last week. The funding request was sponsored and secured by Congressman Gus Bilirakis and will enable the city to acquire a new ladder truck for the Inverness Fire Department—equipment that is currently not part of the department’s fleet.

    Aerial fire apparatus are recommended by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) in communities that include multiple three-story structures or buildings with significant fire flow requirements. Inverness has several buildings of this type, underscoring the need for enhanced aerial response capabilities to better protect residents, businesses, and property.

    “This funding delivers a much-needed ladder truck that will protect lives, safeguard property, and strengthen pre-disaster preparedness,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “It will also support economic growth by lowering insurance rates for businesses and residents, ensuring our community remains safe and thriving.”

    The city will move forward with procurement processes to acquire the new apparatus and provide a 45% grant match to the USDA’s 55% funding. The ladder truck will expand emergency response capabilities and enhance public safety across the community.

    The post FL Department Receives $715K in Federal Funding for New Ladder Truck 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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