Menu

Welcome

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 24, 2025

Never Not Working, FTTC Day 2

One of the things that is always enjoyable when attending the Fire Truck Training Conference takes place before the classes begin. Students are filing in and taking their seats, and the side chats begin before the instructor arrives. They could be talking about the class’s topic or something else going on back at their shops, but before long, they are all engaged and troubleshooting the problem and everyone has a solution because everyone has encountered it. That’s one of the most valuable things about this conference is that no matter what your challenge, someone else at the conference is going through the same thing or has already gone through it.

What’s also fascinating is seeing them on their phones during breaks or having to take calls while they are in class. They are never not working. They are solving problems for techs back home no matter where they are. Dave Griffin in his keynote this year asked, “Why would you not want to be the best?” The techs here embody being the best. It’s a pleasure to be around them. They are one of the nicest groups of people I’ve ever met.

Breakfast conversation this morning involved one tech from Washington and two techs from Nova Scotia. The topic of salt came up. I know, kind of random. But it came up, and it wasn’t so much the salt part of it that interested me but how both all three of the techs were from departments that covered wide areas. The Washington tech has about 40 units in his own fleet that he services but also other departments from the area bring their apparatus to his shop, and that brings in an additional 50 or so over the course of a year. All three though had very diverse fleets. In Washington, the fleet comprises rigs from the 1980s all the way until now. And, here’s where the salt comes in, he said they are all in great shape. Some may be old, but because his neck of the woods doesn’t need road salt, they “aren’t falling apart.”

The Nova Scotia techs discussed how the area they cover with mobile techs makes knowing the rig you’re going to service critical. In one example, a driver’s side door wouldn’t open. The station was more than an hour away. Making sure the correct handle and related hardware was critical. But, it really hit home for me just how different the shops are and the areas they cover are across the country. And, just now much our techs today need to know to service their fleets. Not everyone has the most up to date fleet. Some of our first-out rigs, out of necessity, are in their 40s. The institutional knowledge these techs possess is invaluable. Hold onto them as long as you can!

All three of my breakfast table companions were here to attend the supplier classes because they were up to ate on their EVT certs or were preparing to take them closer to home, owing to the variety of classes available to EVTs at the Fire Truck Training Conference.

The post Read more

Posted: Sep 24, 2025

OR Grant Program Distributes $8.1M in Equipment to Emergency Responders

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) announced funding awards for the fourth round of the State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) Grant Program. The SPIRE program provides life-saving emergency response equipment to state, local, tribal and other eligible agencies across Oregon to strengthen statewide disaster preparedness and response.

More than 120 pieces of equipment will be distributed to 83 jurisdictions statewide, totaling more than $8.1 million in awards.

“Through the SPIRE program, we’re building a stronger, safer Oregon by ensuring our emergency response partners have the tools they need to protect communities,” OEM Director Erin McMahon, said. “This equipment strengthens local capacity, supports mutual aid across jurisdictions, and prioritizing life and safety during disasters.”

Funded projects include a wide range of equipment designed to meet local needs and strengthen Oregon’s overall emergency response network. Examples include:

  • High-axle rescue water evacuation vehicles for Harney, Yachats Rural Fire Protection District and Curry counties to support flood response and swift-water rescues.
  • Sandbagging machines for Harney, Malheur, Crook, Portland, North to quickly produce flood barriers during severe weather.
  • Unmanned aerial vehicles with thermal imaging to assist search-and-rescue efforts in every region of the state.
  • Communications unit leader kits, compact rapid deployables and resilient incident connectivity kits to bolster emergency communications when 911 systems or fiber lines are disrupted.
  • Generators, mobile command centers, utility terrain vehicles, modular vehicle barriers, traffic message boards and heavy-lift airbags to improve readiness and on-the-ground response.
  • Solar charging stations and dual-fuel transport trailers to ensure resilient power and fuel supplies during extended emergencies.

Procurement of SPIRE IV equipment will begin in the coming months. While the purchasing process can take time, OEM is committed to moving as quickly as possible to deliver equipment. All equipment is purchased and owned by OEM but is locally managed and maintained. As such, all vendor communication will be managed by OEM staff; applicants are asked to refer any direct vendor outreach back to OEM.

A complete list of funded and unfunded projects, as well as reviewer feedback, is available at the SPIRE site.

For questions about SPIRE IV, contact oem.spire@oem.oregon.gov.

About SPIRE

Authorized by Oregon House Bill 2867 (2017), the State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) Grant Program provides emergency response equipment to state, local, and tribal agencies to help increase disaster response capacity across Oregon. To learn more about SPIRE and see where equipment has been delivered, visit https://spire-geo.hub.arcgis.com.

The post OR Grant Program Distributes $8.1M in Equipment to Emergency Responders appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire

Read more
Posted: Sep 24, 2025

A New Pink Pumper Hits the Streets in FL

Palm Beach County (FL) Fire Rescue unveiled it’s newest pink pumper, a 2009 Sutphen, which will continue the mission of hope, strength, community, and remembrance during Breath Cancer Awareness Month, the department said in a Facebook post.

This engine replaces the original pink pumper, a 1989 Young Crusader engine, which has traveled across the county for more than a decade, supporting people and families affected by cancer.

As one survivor shared: “Whenever we see this truck, we know there’s a community behind us. We know we’re not going through this alone.”

During a transfer ceremony Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, cancer survivors and families took part in a “Transfer of Memories” hooking up the hoses between the old and new trucks, moving helmets, memorabilia, and the truck’s original flag forward to continue the fight. Afterwards, loved ones signed the new truck in honor of the journey, kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month a little early.

“To all who have fought, continue to fight, or who have stood beside a loved one—you are not alone,” the post said. “The Pink Pumper rides for you.

“We couldn’t continue the tradition of The Pink Pumper without recognizing the long hours of support from Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm Beach County, Local 2928, IAFF, our PBCFR Retirees, and the PBCFR FACE (Firefighters Attacking the Cancer Epidemic) Team.”

The post A New Pink Pumper Hits the Streets in FL appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Read more
Posted: Sep 23, 2025

Griffin: Do the Right Things the Right Way for the Right Reasons

The opening keynoter for the 2025 Fire Truck Training Conference was Assistant Chief David Griffin of the Charleston (SC) Fire Department. Chief Griffin was the pump operator of the first engine to respond to the Sofa Super Store fire that claimed the lives of 9 Charleston firefighters.

Since that fire, Charleston has implemented a variety of changes in their operations. The department budget was $14.7 million in 2007 but is now $62 million, and part of that budget is devoted to its fleet division. There was no fleet manager in 2007, but there is now, along with one lead repair technician, four additional repair technicians, and the division has requested a mobile technician be added to the budget.

Throughout the presentation, which included a recounting of the events of June 18, 2007, including his deficiencies as a pump operator that day—deficiencies he did not blame on the department but on himself for not striving to be better at that job. He challenged the emergency vehicle technicians in the audience and said, “Why would you not want to be the best?” He praised the technicians in attendance for choosing to come to the Fire Truck Training Conference to ensure they are the best at their jobs and cautioned that those who are not seeking out training are the ones to worry about in any organization. His comments naturally dovetailed with the theme of this year’s conference: The Best Techs Never Stop Training.”

As Griffin concluded his remarks by delivering advice that he said transcends any profession: Do the right things the right way for the right reasons. Doing so is not for you but the people around you.

The post Griffin: Do the Right Things the Right Way for the Right Reasons appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Read more
RSS
First2728293032343536Last

Theme picker

Upcoming Events

Theme picker

Sponsors

Fire Mechanics Section Board

Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Chair

Elliot Courage
North Whatcom Fire & Rescue
Read more

Vice Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Vice Chair

Mike Smith 
Pierce County Fire District #5
Read more

Secretary

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Secretary

Greg Bach
South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue
Read more

Director #1

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #1

Doug Jones
South Kitsap Fire & Rescue
Read more

Director #2

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #2

Paul Spencer 
Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC
Read more

Director #3

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #3

Jim Morris
Mountain View Fire Department
Read more

Director #4

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #4

Arnie Kuchta

Clark County Fire District 6

Read more

Director #6

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #6

Brett Annear
Kitsap County Fire District 18
Read more

Director #5

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #5

Jay Jacks
Camano Island Fire & Rescue
Read more

Legislative Representative

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Legislative Representative

TBD
TBD
Read more

Immediate Past Chair

Posted: Oct 20, 2015

Immediate Past Chair

Brian Fortner
Graham Fire & Rescue

Read more
RSS

Theme picker

2020 CAR SHOW