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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: Aug 14, 2017

Keep Safety in UTV Public Safety Rescue

by Kimball Johnson, President, KIMTEK Corporation and Ret. Fire Chief, Westmore, VT Fire & Rescue

UTV chassis side-by-sides outfitted with appropriate medical or fire skid units complement most any agency's first response fleet. Safety concerns surrounding their use, particularly when used for patient transport, warrant careful attention from rescue teams. A thorough understanding of the vehicle, transport apparatus, off-road terrain, and patient requirements must precede any use in public safety situations. 

First Understand the Vehicle
Before considering the advantages of using a patient transport skid unit for side-by-side UTVs, understand the design and limitations of the off-road vehicle in which it fits. (Not All UTVs Are Created Equal) Most of the larger UTV chassis available today, such as the John Deere Gator, Polaris Ranger, Gravely Atlas, and Kubota RTV to name a few, can dependably accommodate the transport of a patient. Slip-on skid units for medical or fire rescue, such as KIMTEK's MEDLITE® and FIRELITE® units, are specifically equipped for safe transport of patients in compatible UTVs and in some pick-up trucks.

Next Understand the Missions
Fire and EMS teams must clearly understand the likely mission objectives and what is expected of the equipment in the field. Types of terrain, for example, will help inform which UTV chassis is best for the mission. Sand or rock, flat areas or mountains, and other features of locations are all important factors in the decision. 

Choosing the right equipment also depends on what type of calls the department anticipates. Will the vehicle cover bicycle trails too narrow for larger ambulances? Will it cover wooded areas where hunting, fishing, and horseback riding are popular? Will the vehicle need equipment for the dual service of fighting wildfires as well as providing medical transport? Perhaps the coverage area includes beaches or vast stadium areas with large concentrations of people. The types of medical treatment likely for each coverage area also affect equipment decisions. Are heart attacks, heat stroke, and shortness of breath more likely than traumatic type injuries from bicycle riding, horseback riding, and motorcycle and ATV accidents? Considering all these factors is essential when selecting the right UTV side-by-side chassis and the medical and fire rescue slip-on transport unit that best meets the needs of the call area. 

Patient Comfort and Safety
How best to transport patients is the next decision. When immobilization of a patient's neck and spine is required because of suspected traumatic injury, a skid unit equipped with a long board or Stokes basket should be sufficient. If a medical emergency occurs along paved or hard surfaces, such as a local road race or inside a stadium, consider a skid unit that carries a full-wheeled cot stretcher, such as a Stryker® or Ferno®, to transport patients in a position of comfort. 

In accordance with the rescue service mandate to "do no further harm to the patient," a complete understanding of the UTV, the skid unit, and how they work together is necessary to meet that goal. These units are not meant to transport patients at high rates of speed over rough and uneven terrain. Rather they are designed and built to safely and professionally transport patients in a manner that

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Posted: Aug 12, 2017

Fire Station Air Quality Puts Firefighters at Risk

Firefighters have higher than average cancer rates, and while their exposure to carcinogens during fires is well known, a new study suggests exposures in fire stations contribute to their excess cancer risk, too.
"Firefighters spend large portions of their shift waiting for calls in a station, during which they can be exposed to diesel exhaust from idling trucks (which is a known carcinogen) and off-gassing from contaminated post-fire gear (which may be contaminated with a variety of known and/or possible carcinogens)," researchers point out in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Several studies in recent years have found that firefighters have elevated risks for cancers of the lungs, skin, esophagus, brain, kidney and prostate.

"We know about the chemicals, heat and stress in the field, but what's left out is the chronic low-level exposure at the fire station during day-to-day business," lead study author Dr. Emily Sparer of Harvard's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston told Reuters Health by phone.  

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Posted: Aug 11, 2017

Horton Township VFD New Station Open House and Dedication Date Set

BROCKPORT - A big event will celebrate a big accomplishment in Horton Township. According to a news release, the Horton Township Volunteer Fire Department (HTVFD) invites local residents, businesses, and government officials to an open house and dedication of its new station, from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

The fire department noted that the 3,800 square foot hall houses an engine, rescue/pumper, tanker and utility/brush truck.


In addition, the fire department pointed out that relocating the station from the northern part of the township to the central part improves response times for firefighters and EMTs by more than 10 minutes per call.


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Posted: Aug 11, 2017

New Haven Fire Department Debuts New Radio During 2-Alarm Fire

NHFD debuts new radios at Fair Haven fire Updated 3:26 pm, Friday, August 11, 2017 NEW HAVEN >> A two-alarm fire at a commercial building on Ferry Street Friday resulted in no serious injuries, though it offered the Fire Department an opportunity to debut new radio systems. Fire Chief John Alston Jr.

Alston said the fire call was the first opportunity for the department to use the new radios. He thanked Mayor Toni Harp and the Board of Alders for allowing the city to receive federal grant money that paid for a majority of the equipment’s cost.


 

Harp attended an impromptu press conference outside the structure to highlight the new equipment. The neon-green Motorola-brand radios was modeled by Deputy Fire Marshal James Hynek and was also worn by firefighters at the scene. The fire was ongoing when the press conference started, though it would soon be declared under control by fire personnel.


 

The 95 new radios cost a little over $500,000, Harp said, with the city paying 10 percent and a federal fire service grant funding the rest. Harp said the new equipment will, “absolutely make it safer for our firefighters, as well as ultimately, save lives and property,” in the city.


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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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