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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 24, 2017

Spartan Motors Debuts Fire Apparatus Refurbishment Centers

CHARLOTTE, Mich., April 24, 2017 – Spartan Emergency Response (“Spartan” or “Spartan ER”), a business unit of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR), announced today the opening of its fire apparatus and fleet vehicle Refurbishment Centers to meet industry needs for a cost-effective approach to repair out-of-service, damaged and worn trucks in weeks or months for typically half the cost of a new vehicle. Details of the operations will be on display at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International April 24-29, at Spartan Motors’ booths #3037, #4007 and #4321, at the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis.

With seven centers and 35 bays located across Spartan campuses in Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska and South Dakota, the process offers a complete range of services and refurbishments from light repairs and refreshes to full cab and chassis replacements and re-certifications. While keeping safety top-of-mind, refurbishments can include new ladders, pump replacements, fixture repair or replacement, insurance repair work, new chassis or any combination for departments or municipalities looking for a cost-effective way to upgrade their fleet without the capital expense associated with purchasing a new vehicle.

“Departments across the country are battling aging fleets and trucks out of service. The country is asking its emergency response vehicles to not only last longer, but to perform more reliably over a longer period of time. There is a huge need for efficient and economical fleet repair that keeps our first responders safe on the way to and from a fire or rescue,” said Daryl Adams, President and CEO, Spartan Motors. “That’s why Spartan is introducing its Refurbishment Centers. From the minute our customer’s truck pulls into our Refurbishment Center’s service bay, we’re on the lookout for how to improve safety, increase performance, and ensure we stay within their budget.”

In addition to the debut of its Refurbishment Centers; at FDIC Spartan will display its S-180 Pumper – representing Spartan’s custom-built pumper lineup manufactured and delivered in half the time of any competitor – as well as: two Spartan Gladiator® cabs and chassis; a Transformer™ pumper; a 100’ rear mount platform; a UST elliptical tanker; an IPS pumper; a 105’ tractor drawn aerial; a 75’ rear mount aerial; a 100’ mid-mount platform; a UST wet side tanker; and custom rear-, side- and top-mount pumpers. Spartan will display in booths #3037, #4007 and #4321, showcasing Spartan cabs and chassis and complete apparatus, as well as Smeal and UST products.

For more information on the Spartan’s Refurbishment Centers, visit www.spartanmotors.com/truck-refurb. For more information on FDIC, visit www.fdic.com.

About Spartan Motors

Spartan Motors, Inc. is a leading designer, engineer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty vehicles, specialty chassis, vehicle bodies and parts for the fleet and delivery, recreational vehicle (RV), emergency response, defense forces and contract assembly (light/medium duty truck) markets. The Co

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Posted: Apr 24, 2017

FDIC International: Drone's Eye View of the Training Grounds

W.S. Darley and Hoverfly have teamed up to bring you some live unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, a.k.a. drone) video from the FDIC International 2017 hands-on training sites. Watch above.

Building a Fire Department UAV Program

Drones and the Fire Service

Drones Poised to Be Used on More Fire Scenes Across the United States

FDNY Deploys Drone at Building Fire

FDNY Drone Pics

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Posted: Apr 24, 2017

FDIC International 2017: Insights on Arson Research from the ATF

Monday morning’s workshop, “The ATF Fire Research/Arson Program: What the Fire Service Needs to Know,” had few empty seats. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) instructor team reviewed the results the ATF’s fire research on Fire Attack Hoseline Thermal Failure and Fire Flow Path Thermal Analysis and applied them to several recent case studies, including firefighter line-of-duty deaths (LODDs).

Fire dynamics topics specific to these cases were also discussed in detail, using testing data and testing videos and both bench-scale and full-scale hoseline testing were presented. The Fire Attack Hoseline Thermal Failure research was presented to National Fire Protection Association 1961 committee in 2016 and prompted it to adopt the first ever radiant heat test for all listed hoselines.

How to Become a Fire Investigator | ANTIARSON EFFORTS | IN THE COVER OF DARKNESS: ARSONIST STRIKES

 

 

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Posted: Apr 24, 2017

FDIC International 2017: Ryan Pennington on Hoarder Fires

Ryan Pennington

By Robert Maloney

Firefighter safety is one motivator for his research into all aspects of the hoarder home phenomenon, Training Officer Ryan Pennington of the Charleston (WV) Fire Department told workshop attendees. At the Monday morning presentation, “Hoarder Fires: Lessons from Inside the Stacks of Dangers,” he drew on personal experiences and incident-related photos and video to illustrate the dangers. He noted that the hoarding condition is not limited to any particular demographic, area, or even nation, he said; it is a global phenomenon, and is growing.

Of particular concern are how firefighters approach such responses, and the tactics they use. A 360-degree survey is essential, he said, using photos to point out some clues indicating a possible hoarding situation. He also explained why such responses require firefighters to reconsider their tactics such as those related to search and rescue and ventilation.

READ: Hoarder Fires: Going Offensive on Traditionally Defensive Fires | The Dangers of Hoarder Fires

Pennington also reviewed aspects of the compulsive hoarding disorder that compels this behavior and the importance of respectfully communicating with such individuals regarding their collection. 

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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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