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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: Apr 4, 2017

EVTCC Announces New Driver/Operator Inspection Certification Exam

By Christian P. Koop

EVTCC Announces New Driver/Operator Inspection Certification Exam

Sometime around the beginning of June this year, the Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification Commission (EVTCC) will be offering certification exams for drivers and operators of emergency response vehicles (ERVs).

This exam will test the knowledge drivers and operators need to properly inspect their ERVs for safety and roadworthiness in accordance with the latest industry standards. This will be a level 1 exam, and it has been created mainly because of a request from the industry and from the growing concern of many who feel there is a vital need for it. The Driver Operator Inspections exam was successfully beta tested last year in Tempe, Arizona, and was very well received. Having drivers and operators certified to properly inspect their rigs in accordance with standards will also have the added benefit of enhancing preventive maintenance programs, which generally results in cost savings for the department’s maintenance budget - not to mention the reduction in liability exposure.

History

The drivers of intercity and over-the-road commercial vehicles are required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), which has very stringent requirements in place for the driver to inspect the vehicle daily - not only for pretrip but posttrip also. These CDL requirements do not apply to most fire-rescue departments. Part of the issue is there are no laws in place in most states to ensure ERV drivers and operators are fully qualified and have the required knowledge to perform an adequate visual and operational inspection. Let’s face it: Everyone knows a lot of accidents happen because the operator was not familiar with the limitations of the ERV he was driving. This new certification will not address this but is a big step in the right direction.

The need for this exam reminds me of when the industry decided that automotive mechanics (technicians today) needed a way to test their knowledge through certification. That was in 1972, and the organization that created those first exams was the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (NIASE), known today as Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE’s main goal, in a nutshell, was to improve the quality of repairs and service in the automotive service and repair industry, which was suffering from the widespread public perception that the industry was corrupt with fraud when, in reality, most of the problems it was experiencing had more to do with incompetence than fraud. Another organization with a similar goal as the ASE is the EVTCC, commonly referred to as the EVT. It was created with support from the International Association of Fire Chiefs around 1988. The EVTCC’s main goal was to improve the quality of service and repair of fire apparatus and rescue equipment in North America through certification exams. Both of these nonprofit independent testing organizations have done a great job working toward their goals and have successfully added new exams as automobiles, trucks, and ERVs have become increasingly complex with the introduction of new technologies.

Preparation

Reference materials for review to prepare for this exam include National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus (2016 ed.), and NFPA 1911, Standard for the Inspection, Maintenance, Testing, and Retirement of In-Service Emergency Vehicles (2017 ed.). Also good to review is any fire apparatus operator’s manual that covers the chassis, pump, and aerial device and “Cummins Drivers Tips for Fire & Emergency Vehicles and Selective Catalytic Reduction.” There will also be a need to review three areas of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under 49 CFR, which addresses federal regulat

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Posted: Apr 4, 2017

Siren Limitation Training

By Chris Daly

Overestimating the effective range of a siren is a common cause of fire apparatus crashes.

Studies have shown that the effective range of a siren at a 90-degree intersection is often less than 80 feet. This effective range may be less, depending on the design of the intersection and the soundproofing properties of an approaching vehicle.

While siren limitations are a common cause of emergency vehicle intersection crashes, few emergency vehicle operators course (EVOC) programs address the topic. The goal of this article is to provide training ideas that will help demonstrate the limited effective range of a siren.

1 A class 2 sound level meter. (Photos by author.)
1 A class 2 sound level meter. (Photos by author.)

Overview

A vehicle driving on a road will have a substantial amount of noise inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This noise is known as “ambient noise.” Ambient noise will depend on several factors, including the noise from the engine, the radio, the HVAC system, and the friction of the tires rolling on the road surface. The ambient noise inside a passenger vehicle traveling 45 miles per hour (mph) usually averages around 65 decibels (dB).

For a siren to be effectively heard by a civilian driver, it must penetrate the body of the vehicle and become louder than the ambient noise. Studies have shown that the siren level must rise approximately 10 dB above the ambient noise to effectively break the driver’s concentration. If the ambient noise inside the civilian vehicle is 65 dB, the siren must rise to 75 dB.

The structure of a modern vehicle is designed to keep sound OUT. On average, a modern vehicle will block approximately 30-40 decibels of noise from penetrating the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This is known as “insertion loss.” If a civilian driver requires 75 decibels of siren noise to react, the siren must arrive outside the driver’s window at approximately 110 decibels, assuming an average insertion loss of 35 dB.

2 A sound level meter calibrator
2 A sound level meter calibrator.

The Problem

Most sirens are rated at around 124 dB when measured 10 feet in front of the siren. As the distance from the siren doubles, the sound pressure of the siren will drop by approximately 6 dB. This concept is known as the “inverse square law.”

It is important to understand that this 6-dB drop in sound pressure level assumes that the distance measured is directly in front of the siren. When sound pressure measurements are taken at a 90-degree angle from the siren, the 6-dB drop can be more significant. Studies have shown that the reduction in sound pressure level at a 90-degree intersection could be as high as 11 dB. This is an important teaching point, as intersection crashes occur when the fire apparatus and civilian vehicle are approaching each other at a 90-degree angle.

3 The dBA/dBC setting on a sound level meter.
3 The dBA/dBC setting on a sound level meter.

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Posted: Apr 4, 2017

Siren Limitation Training

By Chris Daly

Overestimating the effective range of a siren is a common cause of fire apparatus crashes.

Studies have shown that the effective range of a siren at a 90-degree intersection is often less than 80 feet. This effective range may be less, depending on the design of the intersection and the soundproofing properties of an approaching vehicle.

While siren limitations are a common cause of emergency vehicle intersection crashes, few emergency vehicle operators course (EVOC) programs address the topic. The goal of this article is to provide training ideas that will help demonstrate the limited effective range of a siren.

1 A class 2 sound level meter. (Photos by author.)
1 A class 2 sound level meter. (Photos by author.)

Overview

A vehicle driving on a road will have a substantial amount of noise inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This noise is known as “ambient noise.” Ambient noise will depend on several factors, including the noise from the engine, the radio, the HVAC system, and the friction of the tires rolling on the road surface. The ambient noise inside a passenger vehicle traveling 45 miles per hour (mph) usually averages around 65 decibels (dB).

For a siren to be effectively heard by a civilian driver, it must penetrate the body of the vehicle and become louder than the ambient noise. Studies have shown that the siren level must rise approximately 10 dB above the ambient noise to effectively break the driver’s concentration. If the ambient noise inside the civilian vehicle is 65 dB, the siren must rise to 75 dB.

The structure of a modern vehicle is designed to keep sound OUT. On average, a modern vehicle will block approximately 30-40 decibels of noise from penetrating the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This is known as “insertion loss.” If a civilian driver requires 75 decibels of siren noise to react, the siren must arrive outside the driver’s window at approximately 110 decibels, assuming an average insertion loss of 35 dB.

2 A sound level meter calibrator
2 A sound level meter calibrator.

The Problem

Most sirens are rated at around 124 dB when measured 10 feet in front of the siren. As the distance from the siren doubles, the sound pressure of the siren will drop by approximately 6 dB. This concept is known as the “inverse square law.”

It is important to understand that this 6-dB drop in sound pressure level assumes that the distance measured is directly in front of the siren. When sound pressure measurements are taken at a 90-degree angle from the siren, the 6-dB drop can be more significant. Studies have shown that the reduction in sound pressure level at a 90-degree intersection could be as high as 11 dB. This is an important teaching point, as intersection crashes occur when the fire apparatus and civilian vehicle are approaching each other at a 90-degree angle.

3 The dBA/dBC setting on a sound level meter.
3 The dBA/dBC setting on a sound level meter.

Read more

Posted: Apr 4, 2017

Siren Limitation Training

By Chris Daly

Overestimating the effective range of a siren is a common cause of fire apparatus crashes.

Studies have shown that the effective range of a siren at a 90-degree intersection is often less than 80 feet. This effective range may be less, depending on the design of the intersection and the soundproofing properties of an approaching vehicle.

While siren limitations are a common cause of emergency vehicle intersection crashes, few emergency vehicle operators course (EVOC) programs address the topic. The goal of this article is to provide training ideas that will help demonstrate the limited effective range of a siren.

1 A class 2 sound level meter. (Photos by author.)
1 A class 2 sound level meter. (Photos by author.)

Overview

A vehicle driving on a road will have a substantial amount of noise inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This noise is known as “ambient noise.” Ambient noise will depend on several factors, including the noise from the engine, the radio, the HVAC system, and the friction of the tires rolling on the road surface. The ambient noise inside a passenger vehicle traveling 45 miles per hour (mph) usually averages around 65 decibels (dB).

For a siren to be effectively heard by a civilian driver, it must penetrate the body of the vehicle and become louder than the ambient noise. Studies have shown that the siren level must rise approximately 10 dB above the ambient noise to effectively break the driver’s concentration. If the ambient noise inside the civilian vehicle is 65 dB, the siren must rise to 75 dB.

The structure of a modern vehicle is designed to keep sound OUT. On average, a modern vehicle will block approximately 30-40 decibels of noise from penetrating the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This is known as “insertion loss.” If a civilian driver requires 75 decibels of siren noise to react, the siren must arrive outside the driver’s window at approximately 110 decibels, assuming an average insertion loss of 35 dB.

2 A sound level meter calibrator
2 A sound level meter calibrator.

The Problem

Most sirens are rated at around 124 dB when measured 10 feet in front of the siren. As the distance from the siren doubles, the sound pressure of the siren will drop by approximately 6 dB. This concept is known as the “inverse square law.”

It is important to understand that this 6-dB drop in sound pressure level assumes that the distance measured is directly in front of the siren. When sound pressure measurements are taken at a 90-degree angle from the siren, the 6-dB drop can be more significant. Studies have shown that the reduction in sound pressure level at a 90-degree intersection could be as high as 11 dB. This is an important teaching point, as intersection crashes occur when the fire apparatus and civilian vehicle are approaching each other at a 90-degree angle.

3 The dBA/dBC setting on a sound level meter.
3 The dBA/dBC setting on a sound level meter.

Read more

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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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