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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: Dec 25, 2017

Compartment Corner: Kutztown (PA) Fire Department Ladder 46

By Michael N. Ciampo

Kutztown is located in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania in Berks County. The area is known as the East Penn Valley, which is a broad limestone alley and is home to the famous Crystal Cave attraction that was discovered in 1871. Some of the rock formations inside the cave are over a half million years old. At one time, it was used for crop storage and social dances in one of its large rooms. Today it is open to tourists and visitors who see upside down rock formations and enormous drop rocks. Kutztown is a residential community with light industry and is a suburb to the Reading and Allentown. It is home to Kutztown University and has the busy Interstate 78 and PA State Highway Rt. 222 running through its response area. While driving through the area you may witness horse and buggy transportation as there are Mennonites living in this Pennsylvania Dutch area. Although most might think of the people as of Dutch descendants, it is really an area with ties that lead back to German descendants who transplanted to this country in colonial times. 

CLICK ABOVE FOR THE COMPARTMENT GALLERY FOR THIS RIG >>

The Kutztown (PA) Fire Department was in operation in the early 1800s with just fire ladders and then a fire apparatus with local citizens gathering together to protect the town. The department was originally organized in 1908 but was not incorporated until 1918. It is a completely volunteer organization that covers the town and more than 40 square miles in the surrounding areas. The department currently operates out of its Noble Street station with a 2010 Stuphen Monarch rngine with a 1,500-gpm pump, and 1,000-gallon water tank; a 2004 Spartan/Smeal 2,500-gallon engine-tanker with a 1,500-gpm pump; a 2015 Stuphen/SVI rescue apparatus equipped with a light tower and hydraulic rescue tools and equipment; a 1994 Hummer H1 brush truck with a 500-gpm pump and 250-gallon tank; and a 2016 Ford Police Interceptor chief and command vehicle.

The department, recognized as Station 46, recently became the proud owner of a 2017 E-ONE Cyclone HM100 aerial ladder with a prepiped waterway and LED blue light illumination for better visibility when climbing at night or in smoke conditions. The rig has seating for six firefighters with five seats SCBA-equipped. The apparatus is powered by a 500-hp Cummins IS12 engine and has a Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump and a 500-gallon water tank. Its portable ladder inventory consists of: 35-, 28-, and 24-foot extension ladders; 16- and 14-foot roof ladders; and a 10-foot folding ladder. Since the department responds to a first-due area with everything from a historic downtown area to a college campus, rural farmland, light industrial complexes, and busy highways, the need for the apparatus to serve dual purposes is much needed. In addition, with the purchase of the multipurpose apparatus, an increase of mutual aid responses to neighboring jurisdictions has occurred.

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Posted: Dec 22, 2017

House and Senate Pass USFA, AFG, and SAFER Reauthorization Bill

After negotiations between key House and Senate congressional members, agreement was reached on a compromise package, H.R. 4661, the United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act of 2017. The bill includes a reauthorization of the USFA and keeps all major components of S. 829, passed earlier by the Senate, with the one exception that a sunset provision was added through 2024.

H.R. 4661 maintains the basic structure and authorization levels under current law, makes the necessary technical corrections earlier agreed to and provides a six year reauthorization through FY 2023, with an extra year before the sunset provision applies (2024).

Visit www.fama.org for more information.

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Posted: Dec 22, 2017

Video: Fire Truck Rolls as Fire Attack Begins

Don't judge, just refresh in your mind the actions you take when you get a truck ready to pump at a job, whether it's a structure fire or a vehicle fire. And, keep up on your preventive maintenance.

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Posted: Dec 22, 2017

Sutphen Corporation Announces New Dealer in Southern U.S.

AMLIN, OH—Sutphen Corporation has announced Southeast Fire, of White Bluff, Tennessee, as the official Sales and Service Representative for Sutphen Fire Apparatus in the States of Tennessee and Northern Mississippi.

Zach Rudy, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Sutphen Corporation, explains how Southeast Fire came to represent the Company, “Sutphen not only prides themselves in building the highest quality fire apparatus on the market, but we also understand that service after the sale is key in providing the customer with the best possible experience. After meeting with leadership from Southeast Fire we learned that our beliefs for taking care of the customer were aligned.  Their commitment to customer service is second to none, making them the ideal business partner for us. We are extremely happy to welcome Southeast Fire to the Sutphen team.”

Sutphen Corporation’s President, Drew Sutphen, shares, “The entire Sutphen team, and family, are excited to welcome Southeast Fire to our dealer network. Southeast will contribute to Sutphen’s mission to provide the safest, most reliable, fire apparatus in the world, through their dedication to customer focus and service after the sale.”

“After learning there was an opportunity to work with such an exceptional builder, we knew right away that we wanted to be a part of this”, stated Southeast Fire co-owner Jon Wise. He continued, “When first meeting everyone at Sutphen, I left that day feeling just like a part of the family. It was clear to me this was going to be a perfect fit.” The way Sutphen conducts business and their manufacturing processes are very similar to what we do at Southeast. This should be a very seamless transition.”

Co-owner of Southeast Fire Kevin Williams adds, “We are so excited be a representative of Sutphen and be a part of such a historic fire apparatus team and family!”

Southeast Fire operates a full service fire apparatus service shop as well as fire apparatus and equipment sales center.  Southeast’s highly skilled and certified team of EVT’s provides maintenance services for all makes and models of emergency vehicles at their main service center located in White Bluff, Tennessee. In addition they offer on-site repair at your station or emergency repair at any location that is needed.  Southeast Fire also offers a full line of fire equipment to provide solutions for all of your fire department needs in Tennessee and Northern Mississippi.

For more information, visit www.sutphen.com.

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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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