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The Finest Supporting the Bravest!

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

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.


PREVIOUS PHOTO OF THE DAY >>

MORE FIRE APPARATUS ARTICLES >>

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Posted: Feb 9, 2023

Dorchester (MA) Breaks Ground on New $24.7M Meetinghouse Hill Fire Station

Monday was an exciting day for the Boston Fire Department and the city of Boston as ground was broken on a new Meetinghouse Hill Firehouse, Engine 17, Ladder 7 District 7, the Boston Fire Department tweeted.

The city of Boston has allocated $24.7 million toward the design and construction of a new Engine 17 / Ladder 7 Fire Station in the Meetinghouse Hill area of Dorchester, the city said in a news release. The new building will feature:

  • a sloped roof
  • a dormer stair tower, and
  • a brick façade that speaks to the historic use of masonry for fire houses.

The prominent apparatus bay canopy will provide shading and a distinctive civic presence. The large windows will introduce daylight into program spaces and create a welcoming entrance to the building. Puddingstone outcroppings will be incorporated, preserving this unique local landscape feature.

The primary theme for this commission is fire fighting and the neighborhood’s relationship with the fire station.

Engine 17 rendering
Engine 17 rendering

The budget for this public art project is $200,000. The primary theme for this commission is fire fighting and the neighborhood’s relationship with the fire station. This Call to Artists was open to all artists, national and international. There is a strong preference for artists who have a connection to Dorchester or themes of the project.

THE SITE

The Engine 17 Fire Station is located at 37 East Street in the Meetinghouse Hill area of Dorchester. The new site is adjacent to the existing firehouse, and is currently a parking lot. The existing firehouse will remain in operation during the course of construction. 

The original Engine 17 / Ladder 7 firehouse opened on February 15, 1928. It was built on the site of two old firehouses that dated back to the annexation of the Town of Dorchester to the City of Boston. The firehouse sits across the prominent white-spired First Parish Church. Engine 17 / Ladder 7 respond to incidents in the Dorchester and Roxbury areas, and to parts of South Boston.

Engine 17 site plan
Engine 17 site plan

The site identified for the public art project is the entrance tower, which is largely glass on the west and south sides. We are looking for artists with experience working with translucent materials in public spaces. 

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Posted: Feb 9, 2023

Greeneville (TN) Approves $755K Demo Fire Engine Purchase

The Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved at its Tuesday meeting the purchase of a new fire engine from Sutphen Corp. at a cost of $755,000, greenevillesun.com reported.

In January, the board approved the purchase of a used fire truck at a cost of $595,000. However, that engine had a hold on it from another fire department that ended up purchasing the truck, a fire official said, according to the report.

The fire official said in a letter to the board that the typical wait for a new fire engine is about 36-40 months. However, the delivery of this particular truck will be much quicker since it is a “demonstration unit.” The truck is already constructed and used to demonstrate features to prospective buyers. However, the truck still comes with a full manufacturer’s warranty.

The demo engine became available due to another department being unable to complete the purchase of the truck, the report said.

An Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $609,000 was recently awarded to the Greeneville Fire Department to help with the purchase of a fire engine, according to the report.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Grant could also help pay for some of the cost of the new fire truck. The grant would fund $50,000 of the purchase of the truck if awarded, the report said.

The department will also sell the two older reserve trucks to help fund the purchase, the report said.

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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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