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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: Jan 26, 2023

Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department Releases Tribute Video to Bobby Halton

Fire Chief (Ret.) Bobby Halton, editor in chief of Fire Engineering and Educational Director for FDIC, had a special place in his heart for the men and women of the Indianapolis Fire Department.

As home to the annual FDIC conference, he spent a lot of time in Indianapolis with department personnel. And he was a regular visitor to the city. For 16 years he was the Keynote speaker at the IFD Recognition Ceremony every January.

With his death in December, there would be no trip this year, but the department pulled together a video capturing moments from some of his past presentations that capture much of the essence what he stood for.

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Posted: Jan 26, 2023

Exposé: Buffalo (NY) Fire Trucks ‘Held Together with Chewing Gum’

Pumps that won’t pump? An office chair in the cab? Cracked frames?

Investigative Post has taken a deep look at the condition of Buffalo’s fire apparatus fleet and the picture isn’t pretty.

Among the findings:

  • “A quarter the fleet — seven of 28 vehicles — is older than recommended industry standards. Another 13 are within two to three years of that mark.
  • Many trucks are plagued by serious issues — cracked frames, unreliable pumps, engine problems — and have trouble generating firefighting foam.
  • Three of the department’s pumper trucks have trouble blowing heat, which means windows caked with ice in winter weather.
  • Over the last 12 years, the city has invested a quarter of what it would take to keep the fleet up to date, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association.”

Read the report at Investigative Post.

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Posted: Jan 26, 2023

Middleport (OH) Firefighter Dies from Injuries Sustained in Fire Truck Rollover Crash Sept. 18

A firefighter in Meigs County has died from injuries he sustained in a fire truck rollover crash several months ago, wchstv.com reported.

Kevin Dailey died Tuesday, Middleport Fire Chief Jeff Darst said, the report said.

Firefighters were returning from a call Sept. 18, 2022, when one of their trucks rolled over in a crash along Storys Run Road in Cheshire Township. Here’s the story of the crash.

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Posted: Jan 26, 2023

The Difference Between Municipal Fire Trucks and Airport Fire Trucks

Pierce Blog

Firefighters respond to a wide range of emergencies across every type of environment and the equipment they use must be able to meet the demands of each situation.

Serving a vast array of communities, including urban, rural and airport settings, firefighters use different types of fire apparatus—all with unique configurations and attributes to complete the scenarios faced each day.

This blog walks through several key differences between municipal and airport fire trucks.

Municipal Fire Service Calls

A red and white fire truck is positioned in front of a 4-story building with the aerial platform raised and scene lights turned on. Municipal fire trucks are the most recognizable emergency firefighting vehicles. The type of fire apparatus a department needs is determined by the mission of the truck and the community it serves each day.

  • Urban fire apparatus: Fire departments in urban areas may respond to emergencies on city streets that are narrow and require apparatus with superior maneuverability to navigate tight turns and corners. Oftentimes, fire stations in urban areas are historic with confined spaces, requiring more compact apparatus that will fit in the building while still providing modern firefighting capabilities.
  • Suburban fire apparatus: As growth occurs outside of cities with the expansion of commercial and residential communities, fire departments need to keep a pulse of the continual progression of land use and building types to match services and apparatus accordingly.
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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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