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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: Jul 25, 2017

Henderson (NV) Fire Department Uses Open House Events to Push Safety

The Henderson Fire Department held an open house July 14 at Station 86, where parents and children got safety advice from firefighters. "We don't want the first time (kids) meet our firefighters to be when that disaster happens," said Henderson public information officer Kathleen Richards.
Fire Department partners, such as Get Ready Stay Ready and Check Your Seats in the Heat, set up booths to offer safety tips to families exploring the station. Kids could have their photos take in firefighter uniforms and in the station’s pumper engine truck while firefighters milled around and answered questions.

Fire Station 86, 1996 E. Galleria Drive, is one of nine stations at which the Fire Department holds monthly open houses January through September. Station 86 serves an area of Henderson covering about 9.8 square miles and more than 6,478 residents as of 2016, making it one of the slower stations.

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Posted: Jul 25, 2017

Floating Fire Station Considered for San Francisco Pier

In December of 2016, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the city may build a two-story firehouse on a floating platform off of Pier 22.5, a climate-change proof expansion of the historic but aging and inadequate Fire Station 35 nearby.
"It would be the only fire station on the shoreline, and is seen as an essential piece of the city's response to a major earthquake," notes the paper.

A June presentation to the San Francisco Department of Public Works reveals some preliminary designs for the 16,300-square-foot bayfaring base, which would house three fireboats on top of rescue watercraft and jet skis for delivering emergency personnel to waterfront hot spots in a hurry. The station's single fire engine would remain on land.

The existing 1915 building measures just a little over 6,000 feet, with only two boats complementing the one engine. Public Works calls the facilities "grossly undersized" and notes that “costly repairs continue to mount” keeping the centenarian structure in working order.

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Posted: Jul 25, 2017

Bella Vista (AR) to Order Custom Fire Apparatus

The Bella Vista City Council approved a measure Monday, July 24 to set aside nearly $500,000 for a new custom-built fire truck.
Deputy Fire Chief Bryan Wolfgang said the new truck represents an investment that will be well worth it in the long run.

"The truck that's out at station three that this truck will be replacing is an '05, it's been a maintenance nightmare, costing the city a lot of money," Wolfgang said. "The dependability is just not there."

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Posted: Jul 25, 2017

IAFC and Pierce Manufacturing Honor 2017 Volunteer and Career Fire Chiefs of the Year

Appleton, Wis. (July 25, 2017) – The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, today announced the 2017 winners of the annual “IAFC Fire Chief of the Year” awards. Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Wade of the North Lenoir Fire & Rescue Department in Kinston, N.C. and Career Fire Chief Marvin Riggins of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department in Macon, Georgia are this year’s honorees.

A committee appointed by the IAFC selects the award recipients, evaluating the nominees based on leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity and contributions to the fire service as a whole.

“The leadership and integrity modeled by Chief Wade and Chief Riggins are truly an inspiration to us all and to the fire service, reminding us of the crucial function of fire departments in society today,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president of the Fire & Emergency segment and Pierce Manufacturing. “Together, these leaders have nearly 60 years of dedicated service to their departments and the communities they serve. It is an honor to bestow these awards, and all of us at Pierce congratulate Chiefs Riggins and Wade!”

Both honorees are highly accomplished individuals with impressive career, educational, and certification credentials as well as civic involvement; their commitment to the fire service and their communities is evidenced by numerous awards they’ve received and the accolades offered in support of their nominations. Following are just a few highlights.

 

Volunteer Fire Chief Honoree – Brian Wade of the North Lenoir Fire & Rescue Department in Kinston, N.C. 

 

Chief Wade joined the North Lenoir Fire & Rescue department in 1996. He began as firefighter and rose through the department ranks as a captain, battalion chief, and assistant chief before being named fire chief in 2010. Wade graduated with honors with an Associates of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology from Wilson Technical Community College, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science with a concentration in fire service management from Fayetteville State University. Wade has always been a strong supporter of training and certification. He was named, in 2013, a Fire/Rescue Training Specialist by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, for whom he has led training programs across the state. He also served as a fire and rescue instructor for a decade at Lenoir Community College. Wade sought to make training a priority in the department, as well. The department, under the leadership of Chief Wade, is creating one of the premier training facilities in the region – complete with a dedicated flashover simulator, T-box burn simulator, and a training tower. More recently, Chief Wade is implementing an officer and leadership development program to cultivate the growth and skills of his fellow department members. As fire chief, Wade has advanced the department’s mission and enhanced its community engagement efforts. An outstanding communicator and writer, Chief Wade secured Fire Act Grants for his department in 2007, 2009, and 2014 totaling more than $900,000. Chief Wade’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed: in 2016, he was recognized as the IAFC Southeast Region Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year. As Wade received this honor, George Smith, III, the president of North Lenoir Fire & Rescue, in acknowledging the legacy Wade will leave the department, noted that “the fire service desperately needs more leaders like Chief Wade.” A shining example of leadership in action, Chief Wade i

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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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