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Welcome

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

Single or Dual Axles for Fire Apparatus, Part 2

Posted: Jan 25, 2018

Single or Dual Axles for Fire Apparatus, Part 2

Cambridge (MA) Fire Department Ladder Co. 1 operates a ladder pipe during the latter stages of an eight-alarm apartment complex fire in Waltham, Massachusetts. Pictured is a 2009 Pierce Arrow XT 105-foot rear-mount aerial. (Photo by Ted Pendergast/firstduephotos.com.)

By Bill Adams

“Apparatus Purchasing: Single or Dual Rear Axle? Part 1” (December 2017) described axle ratings and the governmental regulations and advisory standards apparatus manufacturers follow.

Included was commentary from fire apparatus manufacturers that build their own cabs and chassis. Part 2 continues the discussion with apparatus manufacturers that do not build their own. The intent is to help purchasers determine “How much weight can I put on this axle?” and “When should I go to a tandem rear axle?” All apparatus manufacturers purchase commercially made cabs and chassis and modify them for fire service use. Small to midsize apparatus manufacturers (OEMs) also purchase custom cabs and chassis from the limited number of OEMs that build and resell their own. Their input into this discussion as “users” is equally as important as the chassis builders.

1Â Rochester (NH) Fire & Rescue Engine No. 7 runs this Toyne stainless steel pumper-tanker on a Mack Granite conventional chassis with a tandem rear axle. It features a 1,500-gallon-per-minute (gpm) Waterous pump and a UPF 3,000-gallon booster tank. Its midship pump house is fully enclosed behind roll-up doors. Toyne National Sales Manager Mike Watts says apparatus manufacturers must take into consideration that fire apparatus are fully loaded 24/7/365, whereas general service commercial vehicles are not. (Photos 1 and 2 courtesy of Toyne.)

1 Rochester (NH) Fire & Rescue Engine No. 7 runs this Toyne stainless steel pumper-tanker on a Mack Granite conventional chassis with a tandem rear axle. It features a 1,500-gallon-per-minute (gpm) Waterous pump and a UPF 3,000-gallon booster tank. Its midship pump house is fully enclosed behind roll-up doors. Toyne National Sales Manager Mike Watts says apparatus manufacturers must take into consideration that fire apparatus are fully loaded 24/7/365, whereas general service commercial vehicles are not. (Photos 1 and 2 courtesy of Toyne.)

OEMs not manufacturing a proprietary chassis can be caught between a rock and a hard place when discussing axles and axle ratings, especially if there can be multiple interpretations of standards, regulations, and industry norms. OEMs may have established in-house axle loading criteria that may not necessarily be in sync with those of the commercial and custom chassis manufacturers. It is tactless to claim one manufacturer’s interpretation of a standard is “better” than another’s.

Commenting are Mike Marquis, vice president, rescue sales, at Rescue 1; Mark Perkins, lead designer at Midwest Fire Equipment & Repair Company; Joe Messmer, president and owner of Summit Fir

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Camden (ME) Fire Apparatus Display Student-Designed Logos

Posted: Jan 25, 2018

Camden (ME) Fire Apparatus Display Student-Designed Logos

Villagesoup

Fire prevention awareness logos created by Camden-Rockport Middle School students are featured on Camden Fire Department trucks for the entire school year. CRMS students designed the logos during fire prevention week last fall. The winning logos for each grade were made into decals and professionally applied to the fire trucks by Adventure Advertising, specialists in vehicle graphics and wraps.

NFPA Accepting Nominations for Advocacy Award Honoring Influencers in Fire and Life Safety

National Fire Protection Association

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is accepting applications for the 2018 James M. Shannon Advocacy Medal, which recognizes outstanding efforts of people taking a firm stance on fire and life safety issues.

The James M. Shannon Advocacy Medal was established in honor of former NFPA President James Shannon. Under his leadership, NFPA significantly advanced its mission of protecting the general public and members of the fire service by working towards key changes to reduce fire loss. Shannon, for example, was a vocal advocate for home fire sprinklers and intensified NFPA’s efforts to support requirements for this technology. The award honors other advocates involved in activities that help advance NFPA’s mission: to help save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, and passion.

“This award honors fire and life safety advocacy at its best,” says Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “We take pride in recognizing these courageous individuals who have been vocal allies in the push for a safer world.”

Nominations are open to members of the fire service or any other person or group advocating for a cause pertaining to fire and life safety. Candidates who have collaborated with NFPA and beyond to help spread the reach of their efforts are strongly encouraged to apply. The nomination application, which includes all award criteria and is available for download on NFPA’s site, are due February 23, 2018 and can be sent to publicaffairs@nfpa.org. The award recipient will be honored at NFPA’s Conference & Expo in Las Vegas in June. NFPA will cover the recipient’s travel and lodging.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

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Fire truck on fire briefly closes portion of I-74 in Knox County

Posted: Jan 25, 2018

Fire truck on fire briefly closes portion of I-74 in Knox County

WQAD

KNOXVILLE, Illinois - An Illinois State trooper came upon a sight that the department is calling "ironic," a fire truck on fire. The burning truck on eastbound Interstate 74 was reported around 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 24th, according to a post on the Illinois State Police District 7's Facebook page.