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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

Burglary Causes Thousands in Damages to Vintage Fire Engine

Posted: Dec 6, 2016

Burglary Causes Thousands in Damages to Vintage Fire Engine

Officials said it will cost thousands of dollars to repair a historic Augusta fire engine damaged by a burglar last month. Richmond County sheriff's deputies were called to Old Engine Company No. 7 on Nov. 2 and Nov. 19 after someone broke in and stole items. The fire station at 2163 Central Ave.

The fire station at 2163 Central Ave. was built in 1914 and was the first in Augusta to house motorized trucks. The last crew moved out of the building in 2003, but since then fire officials have been working to make the building a fire museum. The location housed local firefighting memorabilia including a 1924 American La France fire engine.

In the Nov. 2 burglary, a front door was broken and a projector screen and generator battery were reported missing. The damage from the next burglary on Nov. 19 was much worse. According to the police report, the suspect kicked in the front door and used a 36-inch metal pry bar to remove items from fire engine, damaging the engine’s exterior.

According to fire department spokeswoman Dee Griffin, the burglar stole brass items from the engine including caps, adapters, a 35-lb. drum of nozzles, and also damaged wood boards on the fire engine. Other stolen items include a fireman’s ax, bread and bacon.

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Sevier County Fire Department Loses Equipment during Wildfires

Posted: Dec 6, 2016

Sevier County Fire Department Loses Equipment during Wildfires

Published: GATLINBURG (WATE) - The wildfires burning in Gatlinburg are now 53 percent contained as of Monday afternoon, with the death toll at 14 and the number of businesses and homes damaged or destroyed at more than 1,600. Some of the victims of the wildfires are firefighters themselves.

One volunteer fire department lost a large amount of their equipment.

Members of the Pittman Center Community Volunteer Fire Department have been busy for the last seven days – not only protecting the vast Pittman community east of Gatlinburg, but these men and women also battled the wildfire in Gatlinburg. However, they lost equipment last Monday fighting a structure fire in their own community before being dispatched to Gatlinburg.

“We had to unhook the hoses from the truck and just drop them and leave them so we could get off the mountain,” said Rosemary Nichols with the Pittman Center Community Volunteer Fire Department, who added they lost nozzles among other things.

“During the initial structure fire attack, when we made the decision – the chief made the decision to evacuate the mountain, I set my jacket down and my radio fell out of my jacket. I didn’t realize it until we got to the bottom of the mountain. And we went up the next day and that was what was left of it,” said volunteer firefighter Stephen Smith.

“The radios alone ran just over $18,000. I’m not sure what the total on the equipment itself is going to be,” said Nichols.

Despite the setback to this group of volunteers, if called back to action, they’re ready to go.

Volunteers in Decline at Local Fire Stations

Kurt Westenkirchner discovered quickly the value of coffee in a 12-hour firehouse shift. He works part-time with the Waterville and Providence Township fire departments, logging up to 35 hours a week in Waterville and 24 to 32 hours for Providence Township. When not on the clock, he volunteers for Waterville as well.

“I definitely like the adrenaline rush of it,” the 22-year-old said. “I just like going out and doing everything there is to do with it.”

Part-timers working in multiple fire departments in the area is typical, as communities search for solutions to shrinking volunteer rosters, stagnant budgets, and increased demand.

Volunteers make up 69 percent of the firefighters in the country, according to the National Fire Protection Association, but the raw number fell 12 percent from 1984 to 2014 while the call volume nearly tripled nationwide from 1986 to 2013.

“We’re not trying to get rid of volunteers,” Waterville Fire Chief Pat Wambo said. “It’s just that we can’t get them. It’s just tough to get them because when they realize this is a lot of work, this is more than I thought, they don’t want to get involved.”It can be draining, but Mr. Westenkirchner loves his work.

Volunteers in the area are not technically volunteers. All receive payment for responding to a call and for training, which has become a more prominent part of firefighting.

City, Albemarle Upgrade Firefighting Equipment

Charlottesville and Albemarle County firefighters can now breathe a little easier with the addition of upgraded safety equipment. Both departments recently replaced their 15-year-old self-contained breathing apparatus equipment that had hit its life expectancy to bring it up to current safety standards.

While the old breathing equipment gave firefighters about 15 minutes of air, the new equipment provides a minimum of 30 minutes, according to Albemarle County Fire Capt. Philip Burkett.

“If you’re doing light work, you can probably get that pack to last for 60 minutes or more,” said Burkett. “If you’re doing really heavy work, then it may only last for 30 minutes or so.”

“Typically, we’d like to see fires go out in less than 10 to 15 minutes, but having that extra time gives you the safety and security, at least in the back of your head, that if something does go wrong, I’ve got wiggle room to stand by until another crew can come in.”

The new apparatus brings the departments up to the safety standards of the National Fire Protection Association. Area firefighters are now also fitted with individual facepieces and Rapid Intervention Team bags that supply emergency breathing air to trapped firefighters.

The purchase of the new equipment was jointly made by the Charlottesville Fire Department and Albemarle County Fire Rescue to take advantage of a bulk order discount, Burkett said. Albemarle purchased 270 units, while Charlottesville purchased 50 units.