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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: Oct 20, 2016

Syracuse Firefighters Looking to Protect Their Long-Term Health

Firefighters in Syracuse, along with Senator Charles Schumer, are pushing to create the first ever national firefighter cancer registry.
Firefighters are more at risk for cancer because they're exposed to toxic chemicals on the job.

This new registry would help doctors track and treat firefighters with cancer. It's a difficult reality that's not new to the department in Syracuse.

Michael Valenti with the Firefighter Cancer Foundation says what comes along with it is more danger - even after flames have been put out.

"Our job is killing us. We know it's taken between 11 and 13 years off of our life," Valenti said.

For the men and women who make a career out of helping others, like Alex Cimino, it's a step lawmakers hope will make a difference in their lives once they hang up the helmet.

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Posted: Oct 20, 2016

Antique Fire Equipment on Display at Bethel (CT) Museum

Tucked behind the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department's building sits a little-known museum filled with equipment, some dating to the 1800s, from departments across the country. Newspaper clippings and photographs from fires in the Bethel area and other parts of the country line the three-room museum.
Old-fashioned hooks and ladders from 80 to 90 years ago hang on the walls. Hose nozzles from different eras sit in cases. About 25 helmets from Europe and the United States are beside more than 200 toy fire trucks Walter Dugdale, a member of the fire department for about 55 years, has accumulated since childhood.

Dugdale collected many of the artifacts at flea markets, auctions and antique shops. Fire departments have been a lifelong interest for him.

"I've chased fire trucks since I was that high," he said, bringing his hand down close to his knees. "I've just been fascinated by them."

Most departments in the area do not have a museum like this, but Bethel started one in the late 1970s as one of their members, the late Sherman Slaving, was working on a department history book. The museum closed for restoration in the 1980s and reopened more than a year ago.

One of the highlights is the 1936 Mack Pumper used at the firehouse where the American Legion now sits.

The town spent about $70,000 to have it restored in Pennsylvania in the 1980s, but the job was not completed properly, so a Connecticut restorer fixed it for another $70,000 about two years ago. Shortly afterward, it won a "Best Mack in Show" competition in New York.

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Posted: Oct 20, 2016

Task Force Tips/AMKUS Media Day

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Posted: Oct 20, 2016

Thalacker Presents DMACC Fire Truck to Public

Tim Thalacker knows there are many components needed for quality firefighter training he's receiving at DMACC's Fire Science Academy is the best he can receive. He also knows some equipment is tough to obtain.

Thalacker spoke at a recent press conference where DMACC officials unveiled a fire truck, announcing the college had obtained the truck to use at the fire academy, with grant money, along with an ambulance.

“Not many firefighter training centers can claim to have their very own fire trucks,” said Thalacker, who is a second-year student in DMACC’s Fire Science Technology program and a volunteer firefighter with the Baxter Fire Department. “The fire truck will help the fire science program tremendously. In the fire industry, we can learn a lot in the classroom, but almost everything we learn has to be applied hands-on, at some point.” 

Thalacker said DMACC classes and hands-on training, historically, have not generally taken place at the same site.

“All our hands-on things we did was out at Urbandale Fire Department, including live burns in their burn tower, extrication practice, testing, etc.,” Thalacker said. “We always used one of their fire engines and we are grateful for that equipment. But by having this truck, we can literally go through a lecture (on a DMACC campus) and walk 20 feet and have our own fire truck we can practice while it’s still fresh in our minds.”

The purchase was made possible by a $113,000 grant from Prairie Meadows. The grant covered the truck, equipment and some minor repairs.

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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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