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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: Sep 3, 2025

Lodi (CA) FD Welcomes New $2.1M Tiller

The Lodi (CA) Fire Department celebrated its brand-new 2025 tractor-drawn aerial truck with a Push-In Ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at Fire Station 1, marking an important milestone in the department’s continued commitment to protecting the community, the city said in a press release.

The new ladder truck, a 2025 Pierce Ascendant 107-foot tiller, is powered by a 500-horsepower (hp) engine, and measures 60 feet 9 inches in length and 11 feet 2 inches in height. The truck comes equipped with the latest in advanced firefighting technology. Designed for both power and agility, its extended ladder reach and enhanced maneuverability will allow firefighters to access tight city streets as well as tall commercial structures throughout Lodi.

The purchase of the truck was approved in Fiscal Year 2022, with the truck arriving to Lodi from Wisconsin just a couple of weeks ago. The total cost was approximately $2.179 million for the truck itself, along with $168,000 for equipment and mounting. Battalion Chief Roger Varwig oversaw the build process to ensure the apparatus met the department’s operational needs.

This apparatus represents a major investment in the department’s ability to keep the community safe, allowing firefighters to respond to emergencies in both residential neighborhoods and larger commercial areas with greater reach, speed, and efficiency.

Specifications

ChassisEnforcer™
BodyAscendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Tiller Aerial Ladder
Actual Overall Height11′ 2″
EngineCummins X12
Horsepower500 hp
Front SuspensionTAK-4® Independent Front Suspension
Rear SuspensionAir
Electrical SystemCommand Zone™
GeneratorHarrison Hydraulic
Generator KW10 kW

The post Lodi (CA) FD Welcomes New $2.1M Tiller appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Sep 3, 2025

Foundation Awards $75K to Help First Responders Buy Lifesaving Equipment

The Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation is providing vital new tools to those who keep communities safe. The WPS Foundation is awarding $75,000 to help local first responders purchase lifesaving equipment and strengthen public safety as part of its Rewarding Responders Grant program.

“We are honored to continue our support of public safety agencies and the invaluable impact they make in our communities every day,” said Beth Straka, president — WPS Foundation. “The important tools we help provide our first responders — from vital medical devices to heavy-duty equipment — can be critical in keeping people and our communities safe.”

Including this year’s grants, the WPS Foundation has now donated more than $675,000 to help police, fire and emergency medical services agencies improve public safety across north-central and northeast Wisconsin.

Supporting safety and service to communities

WPS focuses on safety for its employees, customers and communities every day. The WPS Foundation’s Rewarding Responders Grant program supports the agencies that also are committed to keeping everyone safe. The grants help local first responders purchase lifesaving equipment or training that allows their members to improve public safety.

This year’s grant recipients include the Suamico Fire Department and Life Link III, the air medical transport agency in Wisconsin’s Northwoods region. The Suamico Fire Department used its grant to purchase a new water rescue basket, while Life Link III used its grant to acquire a new infusion pump for its medical aircraft.

“Our mission includes a commitment to our community, and this grant gives us a tool to strengthen that commitment,” said Joe Bertler, fire chief — Suamico Fire Department. “This water rescue basket will be used frequently in training for water rescues on the Bay of Green Bay. Building up our department’s knowledge and skill sets through training is vital for efficient water rescue operations when emergencies happen.”

“We are honored to receive this generous grant from the WPS Foundation, and deeply appreciate their commitment to supporting emergency response organizations,” said Josh Howell, CEO — Life Link III. “The funding will allow us to acquire a new Sapphire pump, which plays a vital role in ensuring safe and accurate medication delivery to critically ill patients during air medical transport. This investment directly enhances our ability to provide high-quality care to the communities we serve, including those in and around Rhinelander.”

Grant recipients

The 2025 grant recipients include:

  • Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue Department — Confined space rescue tripod
  • Brown County Sheriff’s Office — Water rescue tools and equipment
  • Calumet County Emergency Management — Safety vests
  • City of Brillion Police Department — Automated external defibrillator (AED)
  • City of Two Rivers Fire Department — Water rescue wetsuits
  • Community Ambulance Service Inc. — Emergency patient care equipment
  • Crandon Police Department — Battery-powered rescue saw
  • Edgar Volunteer Fire Department — Emergency alert pagers
  • Egg Harbor Fire Department — Emergency scene safety lighting and equipment
  • Forest County Sheriff’s Department — Rescue saws
  • Friends of Townsend Fire — Gas detector
  • Gibraltar Police Department — Aerial drone equipment
  • Kewaunee Fire Department Auxiliary — Gas detectors
  • Kiel Fire Department — Gas detector
  • Lakewood Volunteer
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Posted: Sep 3, 2025

Opelika (AL) FD Welcomes New 75-Foot Aerial Ladder Quint

The Opelika (AL) Fire Department announced the arrival of its newest apparatus, a Sutphen SL 75-foot aerial ladder quint, which will soon be operating out of Station 4, Lake Condy Road, the fire department said in a Facebook post.

Here are some stats on this awesome rig, the department shared:

  • Dealer – Williams Fire Apparatus, INC
  • Wheelbase: 232″
  • Travel Height: 10′-1″
  • Travel Length: 42′-3″
  • Aerial Ladder: 75′
  • Four door, Five-Person Cab
  • Engine: Cummins X 12, 525 HP
  • Pump: Hale QMAX-2,000-gpm Single Stage
  • Water Tank: 500 Gallons; Foam Tank: 30 Gallons

“We remain grateful for the ongoing support of our city leadership, and we are eager to put this apparatus into service for our community,” the department said.

The post Opelika (AL) FD Welcomes New 75-Foot Aerial Ladder Quint appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Sep 2, 2025

Wildland Firefighting Pump Technology

Technology touches every facet of the fire service, including wildland firefighting equipment. Wildland fire apparatus feature a variety of technologies. Drones are now deployed nationwide during wildfires. And, the tools wildland firefighters use are incorporating different technologies that not only help them operate more efficiently but also improve firefighters’ safety.

WILDLAND PUMPS

Technology is not always electronics built into different devices. Sometimes the technology includes the materials used in a product’s construction. In the case of WATERAX wildland pumps, the MARK-3® Watson Edition pump, the STRIKER, and the STRIKER-DIESEL all have technology built into them. These high-pressure pumps for wildland rigs can also be carried by firefighters to fire locations.

The MARK-3 Watson Edition was designed to be a lightweight, compact, and powerful high-pressure pump for wildland firefighting. To make the pump lighter and more resistant to corrosion, WATERAX developed the multistage pump-end using advanced composite materials. The company also reengineered the 2-stroke engine to be faster revving, higher performing, and more compact.

WATERAX is also innovating by integrating onboard electronics to make operations more intuitive and accessible for the next generation of wildland firefighters.

Other ways WATERAX is exploring to integrate technology into its pumps include looking into how electronics and smart software can further enhance field performance and ease of use. For example, the MyWATERAX Pump Dashboard mobile app is for real-time monitoring of the MARK-3® Watson Edition pump. With Bluetooth® connectivity, users stay in control with live performance insights and optimize a pump’s efficiency in the field. This tool is especially valuable in high-altitude environments where conditions change rapidly and allowing users to fine-tune carburetor settings for optimal performance.

Track engine speed, temperature, and runtime in real time for troubleshooting and adjustments. The dashboard’s connection history log allows fire departments to keep a record of past connections for operational insights. Also, its geolocation capabilities allow users to

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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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