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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: Sep 8, 2025

PA Lawmakers Weigh Bill Limiting PFAS Use in Firefighting Foam

The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.

State Sens. Gene Yaw and Nick Miller recently introduced bipartisan Senate Bill 980, designed to limit the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances beginning in 2026.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in many products since the 1940s. The chemical can build up in the environment and in the human body over time and studies have shown that exposure can lead to adverse health effects.

Yaw, who represents all of Snyder and Union counties, and Miller, said the legislation is the result of extensive collaboration with fire service leaders, emergency responders and industry representatives since the bill was originally introduced in 2019.

A similar bill in the House passed in July unanimously.

The proposal would allow fire companies to use their Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant funding to cover the costs associated with the proper disposal of PFAS-laden foam. Additionally, the state fire commissioner would work in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to ensure responsible and environmentally sound disposal practices.

“Firefighters can face an extremely higher level of PFAS exposure compared to other emergency responders,” Yaw said.

“PFAS contamination is a national public health challenge, and this bill is a commonsense response, which has already been adopted by many states. This bill will undoubtedly protect firefighters moving forward, while also safeguarding our ground and surface water from contamination.”

“Today, we take a significant step toward protecting firefighters and communities across Pennsylvania from exposure to hazardous chemicals known as PFAS,” said Sen. Miller. “This bipartisan legislation is set to phase out these harmful substances while safeguarding the long-term health of our frontline heroes and preventing soil and water contamination. Based on my direct conversations with firefighters in my district and the policy hearings I have conducted, it is evident that firefighters require support now more than ever. This legislation prioritizes their needs and protects those who selflessly serve our communities.”

Yaw and Miller noted the bill maintains an exception for facilities where PFAS-based foam remains critical for safety, including airports, chemical plants, oil refineries and terminals or storage sites handling flammable liquids or natural gas.

© 2025 The Daily Item (Sunbury, Pa.). Visit www.dailyitem.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post PA Lawmakers Weigh Bill Limiting PFAS Use in Firefighting Foam appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Sep 8, 2025

New Brush Truck to Serve as Primary Response for Wildland Fires

Deadwood (SD) Fire & Rescue, a volunteer fire department, announced recently the completion of Brush 6, the department said in a Facebook post.

Brush 6 is built on a 2025 Ford F-550 chassis with a Heiman Fire brush skid. This new apparatus was outfitted with light and siren package by SonTech in Rapid City. In addition, Fire Technician Fetter and Seasonal Fire Assistant Gifford were instrumental in outfitting this new apparatus.

Brush 6 will serve as the primary response unit for wildland incidents in Deadwood’s fire district.

“Deadwood Fire & Rescue looks forward to many years of service from this unit,” the department said.

The post New Brush Truck to Serve as Primary Response for Wildland Fires appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Sep 8, 2025

Midwest Fire Named to 50 Best Places to Work for Third Straight Year

LUVERNE, M.N., September 5, 2025 – For the eighth time in recent years, and for the third year in a row, Midwest Fire was named one of 50 winners in Prairie Business Magazine’s (Prairie Business) “50 Best Places to Work 2025” contest. This is the second time Midwest Fire has accomplished the three-peat. Prairie Business holds this competition each year to reward and highlight the region’s best places to work, based solely on employee appeal and nominations.

“We are honored to be named among so many highly esteemed businesses in Minnesota,” said Midwest Fire’s CEO, Sarah Atchison. “We believe that taking excellent care of our employees has a trickle-down effect on our customers. Each one receives consistent, exceptional service from our personnel. Our team in Luverne has been instrumental in helping us succeedas a small business in an industry dominated by large conglomerates.”

Midwest Fire also received this recognition in 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024.  The award recognizes employee-nominated companies for exceptional benefits, work culture, general employee happiness, and various other pull factors that retain employees. The winners will be featured in the September issue of the magazine. 

Midwest Fire manufactures custom fire apparatus and utilizes a “factory direct” sales model. They offer continued support to customers with maintenance and repairs. Midwest Fire employees collaborate with fire departments of all sizes across the country to design and craft custom solutions to their community’s fire protection needs.  

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Posted: Sep 8, 2025

Watkins (NC) FD Chooses Custom Cab and Chassis for New Pumper

While in the planning stages to replace an older pumper that was on a commercial cab and chassis, the Watkins Fire Department felt it was time to update it with a custom fire apparatus.

The department’s response district is 6 square miles and encompasses a community college with 11 buildings, a small industrial complex with a paper goods manufacturer, and several schools and churches.  Even though it is a rural community, the district includes 16 miles of highway. The population has increased and so has the department’s call volume.

A look at the driver-side compartments.

“The department was trying to adopt a 20-year apparatus replacement program,” Chief Brandon Link says. “It was time to update to a custom fire apparatus, which would be the first for our department. Even though we eventually went with the HGAC program, we looked at several manufacturers to gain some ideas. Most couldn’t meet our height requirement.”

The department went with Sutphen, a first for Watkins.

The new rig has a 2,000-gallon-per-minute (gpm) pump and a 1,000-gallon water tank. “Overall, we felt the cab design was safer for our firefighters to ride in and chose the biggest cab Sutphen builds.”

A look at the officer side compartments.

With the new apparatus came more compartment space. The pumper carries all battery-powered spreaders, cutters, and a combi tool.

“All hand tools carried are battery-powered, and because of this we didn’t need a generator,” Link said. “We went with an inverter for more than enough power.”

Also carried are struts and hand-lights on charge for all riding firefighters, rope bags and harnesses, thermal imaging cameras (TICs), a full complement of air tools, and an emergency medical services (EMS) cabinet for medical equipment.

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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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