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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: Oct 1, 2018

Why Attend the FDSOA Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium?

Richard Marinucci

Richard Marinucci

To paraphrase Rick from the classic movie “Casablanca,” of all the conferences in all the world, why should I attend the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium?

The main reason is its uniqueness. Most, if not all, conferences focus on apparatus displays and opportunities to “kick tires.” This event is different in that it brings together apparatus committees, fleet managers, mechanics, vehicle manufacturers, and suppliers. There are no large displays, and the purpose is to get more into the details of all aspects of fire department apparatus—from specifications to purchasing, maintenance, and replacement. It also covers the various components from the new to the improved and everything in between.

Anyone with responsibilities for apparatus, whether specifications, acquisition, maintenance, or replacement schedules, should be interested in making sure that the vehicles are reliable, efficient, and effective. The vehicles need to be in service almost all of the time and need to deliver under the pressure of an emergency. Out-of-service apparatus does no good when 911 is called, nor is it beneficial to have a truck that doesn’t deliver when needed. As such, individuals and departments must learn as much as possible so citizens receive the service they need and deserve.

All of the aspects of fleet management require in-depth understanding. There is no better way to gain the knowledge needed than to talk to experts in the field. These professionals are on fire departments and work for manufacturers and suppliers. Having the opportunity to talk to people who are passionate about their work and who have committed to the improvement of the service is priceless. But besides the intangibles, there is no doubt that you can learn various ways to save money. If you pay just a little bit of attention and spend your time networking, you will learn ways to save your organization money and still be able to get the reliability that you need.

The 31st Annual Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium will be held in Orlando, Florida, January 20-23, 2019, at the Wyndham Resort. Doing this program for that many years shows its value to the fire and emergency service. There are preconference sessions on Sunday including an all-day, hands-on class for mechanics and also a post-conference session. In between, workshops will cover all aspects of apparatus. The Symposium will conclude on Wednesday with nationally known expert Janine Driver speaking on body language. There is something for everyone with any level of responsibility in the apparatus area of a fire department. You should make plans today to attend. Visit www.fdsoa.org for more information. We look forward to seeing you in Florida in January.

RICHARD MARINUCCI is the executive director of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA). He retired as chief of the Farmington Hills (MI) Fire Department in 2008, a position he had held since 1984. He is a Read more

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Posted: Oct 1, 2018

Why Attend the FDSOA Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium?

Richard Marinucci

Richard Marinucci

To paraphrase Rick from the classic movie “Casablanca,” of all the conferences in all the world, why should I attend the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium?

The main reason is its uniqueness. Most, if not all, conferences focus on apparatus displays and opportunities to “kick tires.” This event is different in that it brings together apparatus committees, fleet managers, mechanics, vehicle manufacturers, and suppliers. There are no large displays, and the purpose is to get more into the details of all aspects of fire department apparatus—from specifications to purchasing, maintenance, and replacement. It also covers the various components from the new to the improved and everything in between.

Anyone with responsibilities for apparatus, whether specifications, acquisition, maintenance, or replacement schedules, should be interested in making sure that the vehicles are reliable, efficient, and effective. The vehicles need to be in service almost all of the time and need to deliver under the pressure of an emergency. Out-of-service apparatus does no good when 911 is called, nor is it beneficial to have a truck that doesn’t deliver when needed. As such, individuals and departments must learn as much as possible so citizens receive the service they need and deserve.

All of the aspects of fleet management require in-depth understanding. There is no better way to gain the knowledge needed than to talk to experts in the field. These professionals are on fire departments and work for manufacturers and suppliers. Having the opportunity to talk to people who are passionate about their work and who have committed to the improvement of the service is priceless. But besides the intangibles, there is no doubt that you can learn various ways to save money. If you pay just a little bit of attention and spend your time networking, you will learn ways to save your organization money and still be able to get the reliability that you need.

The 31st Annual Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium will be held in Orlando, Florida, January 20-23, 2019, at the Wyndham Resort. Doing this program for that many years shows its value to the fire and emergency service. There are preconference sessions on Sunday including an all-day, hands-on class for mechanics and also a post-conference session. In between, workshops will cover all aspects of apparatus. The Symposium will conclude on Wednesday with nationally known expert Janine Driver speaking on body language. There is something for everyone with any level of responsibility in the apparatus area of a fire department. You should make plans today to attend. Visit www.fdsoa.org for more information. We look forward to seeing you in Florida in January.

RICHARD MARINUCCI is the executive director of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA). He retired as chief of the Farmington Hills (MI) Fire Department in 2008, a position he had held since 1984. He is a Read more

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Posted: Oct 1, 2018

Uses for Your TIC at Various Incident Types

Thermal Imaging | Carl Nix

Carl Nix

Writing this column has been a privilege. Each month, I get to share my knowledge and love of firefighting training with you to help keep you safe. Many of you have reached out to me during the past couple of years to share your experiences fighting fires using thermal imaging technology. Thank you for sharing.

With my increasing responsibilities in the fire service, this will be my last column. My thanks to Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment and all the folks at the magazine for letting me share my thermal imaging camera (TIC) training insights with you. My final column is a compilation of thermal imaging camera safety tips that I have shared over the years. Stay safe and train every day, and always look out for one another.

Three-pass scans, preflashover situations, fire attack, overhaul, search and rescue, hazmat calls, motor vehicle incidents, and heat pattern identification are all areas where TICs are useful at incidents. (Photo courtesy of Bullard.)

1 Three-pass scans, preflashover situations, fire attack, overhaul, search and rescue, hazmat calls, motor vehicle incidents, and heat pattern identification are all areas where TICs are useful at incidents. (Photo courtesy of Bullard.)

THREE-PASS SCAN TECHNIQUE

Using your TIC to scan a room when entering a smoke-filled structure is critical to staying safe. Once you enter the structure, scan the room with your TIC using a three-pass technique. The first pass is across the ceiling looking for heat accumulation, potential vent points, and structural integrity. The second pass is across the middle of the room looking at the physical layout and its contents as well as the location of any secondary egress points. The third pass is across the floor looking for collapsed victims and any special hazards. All three scans take less than 10 seconds but are important to maintaining proper orientation with your TIC.

FLASHOVERS

In a flashover situation, fire conditions progress rapidly from what was a hot fire to what becomes an inescapable fire. As an instructor, I have heard firefighters say that a TIC can help you during a flashover. This is not true. A TIC is a tool to help detect a flashover, but it can’t help you if you’re caught in a flashover. You have to move quickly. You don’t have time to look at your TIC. A preflashover situation is where your TIC can help. Your TIC can give you a visual indication of warning signs that you would otherwise not see. Without the use of a TIC, the thick smoke acts as a visual barrier to what is actually going on above you. Convective velocity, thermal layering, and even rollovers are often hidden inside the smoke and are difficult or impossible to detect. The TIC can hel

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Posted: Oct 1, 2018

Uses for Your TIC at Various Incident Types

Thermal Imaging | Carl Nix

Carl Nix

Writing this column has been a privilege. Each month, I get to share my knowledge and love of firefighting training with you to help keep you safe. Many of you have reached out to me during the past couple of years to share your experiences fighting fires using thermal imaging technology. Thank you for sharing.

With my increasing responsibilities in the fire service, this will be my last column. My thanks to Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment and all the folks at the magazine for letting me share my thermal imaging camera (TIC) training insights with you. My final column is a compilation of thermal imaging camera safety tips that I have shared over the years. Stay safe and train every day, and always look out for one another.

Three-pass scans, preflashover situations, fire attack, overhaul, search and rescue, hazmat calls, motor vehicle incidents, and heat pattern identification are all areas where TICs are useful at incidents. (Photo courtesy of Bullard.)

1 Three-pass scans, preflashover situations, fire attack, overhaul, search and rescue, hazmat calls, motor vehicle incidents, and heat pattern identification are all areas where TICs are useful at incidents. (Photo courtesy of Bullard.)

THREE-PASS SCAN TECHNIQUE

Using your TIC to scan a room when entering a smoke-filled structure is critical to staying safe. Once you enter the structure, scan the room with your TIC using a three-pass technique. The first pass is across the ceiling looking for heat accumulation, potential vent points, and structural integrity. The second pass is across the middle of the room looking at the physical layout and its contents as well as the location of any secondary egress points. The third pass is across the floor looking for collapsed victims and any special hazards. All three scans take less than 10 seconds but are important to maintaining proper orientation with your TIC.

FLASHOVERS

In a flashover situation, fire conditions progress rapidly from what was a hot fire to what becomes an inescapable fire. As an instructor, I have heard firefighters say that a TIC can help you during a flashover. This is not true. A TIC is a tool to help detect a flashover, but it can’t help you if you’re caught in a flashover. You have to move quickly. You don’t have time to look at your TIC. A preflashover situation is where your TIC can help. Your TIC can give you a visual indication of warning signs that you would otherwise not see. Without the use of a TIC, the thick smoke acts as a visual barrier to what is actually going on above you. Convective velocity, thermal layering, and even rollovers are often hidden inside the smoke and are difficult or impossible to detect. The TIC can hel

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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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