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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: Aug 24, 2017

Fort Oglethorpe (GA) Approves New Fire Equipment

The Fort Oglethorpe City Council added some new equipment to its fire department Monday night, Aug. 14, by unanimously approving the purchase of new radios and protective equipment for firefighters. Chief Bruce Ballew explained that some of the department's equipment is wearing out and needs to be replaced.
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Posted: Aug 24, 2017

Westmoreland County Community College (PA) Receives Donated Fire Apparatus

Hempfield's Bureau of Fire donated a surplus fire truck to supplement training programs at Westmoreland County Community College. The truck, designated "Snorkel 500," was surplus equipment from Hempfield #2 Volunteer Fire Department on Thornton Road, just on the outskirts of Greensburg, said Doug Weimer, president of the township commissioners and a member of WCCC's board of trustees.
The fire department had replaced the snorkel truck, with its Z-shaped extendible arm topped by a bucket for rescues and firefighting from above, about two years ago, said township supervisor George Reese. The truck was bought new for the department in 1978 and was refurbished in 2002 but was still drivable and would become the largest mobile apparatus available at college's Public Safety Training Center, Weimer said. He said he officially turned over the keys Wednesday evening.
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Posted: Aug 24, 2017

Verizon Supports Firefighters Responding to Western Wildfires

Above inset left: Cell on wheels in Utah. Photos via Verizon.

Even as wildfires continue to persist in Western areas of the United States, Verizon has been responding with critical communications to support thousands of firefighters and first responders on the ground. During an emergency, first responders rely on wireless service more than ever to coordinate efforts, and Verizon is there to support those first responders and the communities they serve.

In California, Verizon brought satellite communications service to a remote area where the Schaeffer Fire is burning in Sequoia National Forest, 17 miles north of Kernville in Kern County. The U.S. Forest Service Incident Management Team requested assistance for the fire base camp located at Black Rock Visitor center.

The company is providing two satellite communications solutions to provide 4G LTE service. A Satellite Pico cell on a Trailer (SPOT) includes a 30-foot antenna mast with the satellite dish on top of the trailer. A portable mini-satellite dish with a 4G LTE eFemto cell, is also being used for additional wireless service.

In addition, where existing Verizon network coverage is available, the company is responding to requests for communications assistance by loaning wireless devices and jetpacks (portable wireless hot spots) to first responders at the Winters Fire (Yolo County), Alamo Fire (San Luis Obispo County), Wall Fire (Butte County) and Whittier Fire (Santa Barbara).

In Utah at Brian’s Head Fire, Verizon deployed a Cell on Wheels (COW) to the Brian’s Head Fire command center and base camp near Panguitch. The COW is a mobile cell site with multiple voice and data channels capable of processing thousands of calls and data transmissions simultaneously. The COW provides additional capacity for emergency crews accessing the Internet, sending text and video messages and making phone calls during disaster response efforts. The base camp needed critical communications services to support over 1,000 firefighting personnel.

In Arizona, with sustained heat of over 120 degrees igniting and expanding wildfires, the flames have impacted tens of thousands of acres of land. To assist the first responders and residents of those areas, Verizon deployed multiple network repeaters, which pick up a network signal, amplify it, and point it to an area with weaker or no signal.

Read additional information HERE.

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Posted: Aug 24, 2017

New Hands-On Pump Class Featured at 30th Apparatus Symposium

The Fire Department Safety Officers Association will introduce a hands-on Fire Pump and Accessories with Proper Pump Testing class on Sunday, January 14th, 2018, as part of the 30th Annual Apparatus Symposium. The eight-hour, pre-conference class will be presented by Brian Brown, Fleet Services Bureau, South Metro (CO) Fire Rescue, and Chris Dennis, Chief Mechanical officer, Vaughan Fire & Rescue Service in Ontario.

The Pump Testing class is designed for emergency vehicle technicians, especially, engineers/driver operators and those looking to promote, fleet supervisors, and anyone who wants to know more about fire pump theory, operations, and testing.

Brown said, “The class will cover fire pump and accessories theory and operation along with a dynamic hands-on experience to understand the current 1901 and 1911 testing standards. This is a great opportunity to learn about different brands and types of fire pumps, how to properly perform multiple tests along with hands-on training!”

RELATED: Firefighter Training: Pump Operations and MoreApparatus Preplan: An Operator's Key to Success | Pump Operator Simulation: The Basics

The class will be held at the Mesa (AZ) Fire Department Training Grounds. Due to the hands-on nature of this class registration is limited to 25 participants and must bring their own PPE (See www.fdsoa.org/events for details). Breakfast, lunch and transportation to the site will be provided.

“The main message is that a comprehensive maintenance and annual testing program is important to the vitality and longevity of the fire service apparatus,” said Brown. “It is also important to know who is working on and operating your apparatus and understand that they comprehend the importance of safe and well-maintained apparatus and equipment.” 

The Pump Testing class will be the first hands-on class offered at an Apparatus Symposium. Rich Marinucci, executive director, FDSOA commented, “Each year since I began as Executive Director of FDSOA, we have had requests for hands-on training. We will offer this course in response to those suggestions.” 

The most current NFPA 1911, Standard for the Inspection, Maintenance, Testing, and Retirement of In-Service Fire Apparatus, 2012 Edition, requires once a year every unit with a fire pump must be scheduled for an annual pump test. The NFPA requires annual testing for fire pumps, aerial devices, hose, ground ladders, low voltage systems, line voltage systems, vehicle weight, etc. 

In addition, fire pumps on new apparatus should be Acceptance Tested when they are received at the respective department. An extensive onsite test will demonstrate the true performance of the fire pump and related systems. Post-repair pump tests should be performed any time there are major repairs to the fire pump, pump transmission, truck transmission, or power plant. Insurance Services Offices (ISO) assign points for pump testing as part of the Fire Suppression Rating for each department’s Public Protection Classification.

Registration for the Fire Pump pre-conference class and the

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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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