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: May 7, 2025

Nearly $400K Needed to Repair, Reopen Bay City (MI) Fire Station 5

Joey Oliver
mlive.com
(TNS)

BAY CITY, MI – One of Bay City’s commissioners wants to apply a target timeline and deadline for a previously-approved resolution to obtain bids and potential funding sources for roof and interior repairs at the currently defunct Fire Station 5.

Bay City’s 8th Ward Commissioner Joseph Charlebois proposed the resolution, which builds upon the March 3 resolution that required city manager Dana Muscott to obtain bids and potential funding sources for repairs at Fire Station 5.

Charlebois’ resolution, which appears on the Monday, May 5, agenda, aims to direct Muscott to establish a timeline that would provide commissioners access to the completed bids no later than Aug. 15.

It also directs Muscott to provide a report to the commission to include further updates and progress reports on the process.

Read more: Here’s what Bay City officials say it would take to reopen Fire Station 5

Officials previously said it would cost more than $386,000 in renovation and repairs to reopen Fire Station 5 in Bay City’s Banks District, and the price of adding personnel to staff the station would cost the city more than twice that number.

Bay City Department of Public Safety Director Caleb Rowell previously told city commissioners it would cost the city a projected $386,318 for high- and medium-priority repairs on Fire Station 5, 1299 Smith St., and adding the personnel to reopen the fire station would cost the city approximately $1.6 million the first year. That cost would increase to about $2 million by year three.

Related: Plagued by black mold and pungent odor, Bay City fire station’s future is uncertain

Fire Station 5, built in 1965, closed on July 15, leaving the city with two fire stations on the east side of the river and one on the city’s West Side.

The closure was due, in part, to the poor conditions the building is in, officials said previously. It also comes down to money.

Prioritizing maintenance projects means some get done while others cannot. Other fire stations in the city have their own infrastructure issues, and one of them has problems with PFAS contamination.

Call volume was also taken into consideration when deciding which fixes to make. Station 5, officials previously said, has always had the lowest call volume among the city’s fire facilities.

Rowell said roof repairs, asbestos abatement, mold and mildew removal and plumbing are among high priorities required to make Fire Station 5 operational again. Medium-level concerns include concrete repairs and carpet removal.

A vote is expected on Charlebois’ resolution Monday evening. The meeting will be livestreamed here. The agenda is available here.

Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free “3@3″ daily newsletter for Bay City and 

Read more
Posted: May 7, 2025

WA Firefighter Rescued on Yakima River After Fire Boat Became Trapped in Current

A Benton County (WA) Fire District firefighter had to be rescued after the fire boat he was in became trapped in the current of the Horn Rapids/Wanawish Dam on the Yakima River.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office made the following Facebook post about the incident:

“On May 5, 2025, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Benton County Sheriff’s Office deployed its jet boat on the Yakima River at Wanawish Dam to assist in the rescue of a firefighter who became stranded on a fire rescue boat.

“Prior to this, personnel from Benton County Fire Districts 2 and 4 had successfully rescued two kayakers who were caught in the dam’s undercurrent. During the course of that operation, the fire rescue boat became trapped in the current. All individuals were safely recovered from the river. Efforts are now underway to recover the fire rescue boat from the dam.”

The post WA Firefighter Rescued on Yakima River After Fire Boat Became Trapped in Current appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Read more
Posted: May 6, 2025

Montreal Metropolitan Airport Takes Delivery of Two Oshkosh Striker 6×6 ARFF Vehicles

The new ARFF vehicles will support MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport’s transition from a regional airfield to a major domestic hub.

APPLETON, WIS. (May 6, 2025) Oshkosh Airport Products, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) business, announced the delivery of two Oshkosh Airport Products Striker® 6×6 ARFF vehicles to MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport — formerly known as Montreal Saint-Hubert Airport. The new ARFF units will play a key role in supporting emergency operations as MET undergoes a significant transformation into a major domestic airport in Canada. MET’s new ARFF units were supplied through Oshkosh Airport Products’ Quebec-based dealer L’Arsenal.

“MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport is entering an exciting new chapter, and we are proud to support their expansion with world-class ARFF vehicles,” said Alexandre Séguin, Sales Manager for L’Arsenal. “Our team has built a long-standing relationship with MET, working closely with them to identify and deliver the best fire protection solution for their evolving needs. The Striker 6×6 is engineered to deliver exceptional performance and safety, backed by our dedicated service and support.”

The transition of MET from a small regional airport to a hub capable of handling more than one million passengers annually, necessitated an upgrade to its fire protection services. The acquisition of these Striker 6×6 ARFF vehicles ensures compliance with airport regulations and provides state-of-the-art emergency response capabilities.

“The decision to purchase Oshkosh ARFF vehicles was based on the brand’s strong reputation, strong service network, and the positive experiences of other airports in the region,” said Pierre- Luc Clement, Fleet Maintenance Manager at MET– Montreal Metropolitan Airport. “We needed a solution that offered reliability, safety features, and compliance with the latest airport regulations. The Striker 6×6 met all of our criteria and will be instrumental in ensuring the highest level of emergency response at our airport.”

Striker 6×6 Features and Capabilities

The two new Striker 6×6 ARFF vehicles are designed to handle the demands of MET’s growing

operations. Notable features include:

  • Industry-leading modular cab design for exceptional visibility
  • TAK-4® all-wheel independent suspension for world-class off-road performance
  • Seating capacity for four firefighters
  • Scania DC16 V8 670HP Tier 4 engine for optimal power and efficiency
  • Water capacity: 12,500 L
  • Foam capacity: 1,600 L
  • Dry chemical capacity: 227 kg
  • Eco-EFP™ Foam Measurement System to enhance firefighting efficiency
  • Electronic Foam Proportioning System to manage environmental impact

With a mix of high-reach extendable turrets and bumper turrets, these vehicles are equipped to handle a range of emergency scenarios. Additionally, MET prioritized foam testing systems that minimize the environmental impact of training and maintenance, aligning with the airport’s broader sustainability goals.

Slated to welcome its first passengers in 2025, MET is undergoing a significant transformation, with a 226,000 sq. ft. terminal, nine gates, and an anticipated capacity of four million travelers per year. The airport is committed to sustainability initiatives, including a GHG emissions reduction plan, Airport Carbon Accreditation, and new shuttle services to downtown Montreal.

As part of this expansion, MET established a dedicated fire services unit and invested

Read more
Posted: May 6, 2025

Jackson (TN) FD Reclaims Historic 1942 Truck 2 for $1

The Jackson (TN) Fire Department purchased its first ladder truck, a 1942 Seagrave, for $1, the department said in a recent Facebook post.

“It’s official!” the department said in the post. “Truck 2 is one step closer to coming home!

“Thanks to the incredible stewardship of the John R. Long Fire Museum, this historic 1942 Seagrave ladder truck—Jackson’s very first ladder truck—has been preserved for nearly 30 years. Now, it’s coming back to where it belongs.”

Originally serving the Jackson community with a 65-foot reach, Truck 2 represents a powerful symbol of the department’s legacy, which dates back to 1882.

“We are beyond excited to bring this piece of our history home and look forward to sharing its journey with you as we honor the generations of firefighters who came before us,” the department said.

Go to the Jackson Fire Department Facebook page for restoration updates and upcoming opportunities to see Truck 2 in person.

The post Jackson (TN) FD Reclaims Historic 1942 Truck 2 for $1 appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Read more
RSS
First3132333436383940Last

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