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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: Nov 15, 2016

Two New Fire Stations Opened in Gwinnett (GA)

Gwinnett County officials cut the ribbons on two new fire stations on Tuesday. Ceremonies were being held at First Station 31 and newly relocated Fire Station 10, both of which have been online and responding to calls since last Tuesday. Fire Station 31 is located at 1061 Collins Hill Rd.
Officials say the location of the station will provide quicker access on the Highway 316 corridor and to the college and surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.

The station's opening adds an additional engine, ladder truck and medic unit to the county's fleet.

Fire Station 10 was relocated fro Russell Road and Buford Drive to a new building at 1131 Rock Springs Rd. in unincorporated Lawrenceville.

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Posted: Nov 15, 2016

Albuquerque (NM) Fire Apparatus Donated to Town Struck by Flood

An Albuquerque fire truck will soon be driving the streets of one Louisiana town. In August, massive flooding damaged Livingston Parish. About 75-percent of homes in town were a total loss as were fire stations, and businesses.
Through Albuquerque Firefighter Random Acts, the Albuquerque Fire Department and Bernalillo County Fire Department were able to donate several items including a fire truck and gear to the small department trying to recover.

“You’re looking at a truck of this caliber at a $100,000 so with this donation we can use that $100,000 towards bringing up our fleet or another truck,” Joe Foster, Fire Chief of Livingston Parish Fire Department.

The August flooding in Louisiana was dubbed as the worst natural disaster in the US since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

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Posted: Nov 15, 2016

Lake George (NY) Fire Apparatus Repairs Exceed Estimate

The cost to repair a Lake George fire truck has overrun what was originally budgeted for the project, leaving town and village officials in a quandary. The Lake George Town Board on Sept. 1 declined a request to purchase a new firetruck at a cost of nearly $1 million.
It directed Fire Chief Jason Berry to fix the 1994 tower truck, which has been out of service since late July with various issues including cracks in the aerial lift cradle and a leaking pump.

The estimates for the cost of the repairs was about $41,000. More problems have been found with the truck since then.

"We're pushing real hard at sixty grand," said Supervisor Dennis Dickinson.

Larry Vander Molen of the Dewitt-based Vander Molen Fire Apparatus told the Town Board on Monday that the initial estimate was based upon a list of repairs that was handed to the apparatus company. When the company got going with the work, it was discovered that the rear brakes were in as bad shape as the front brakes and there was damage to the climbing ladder. The radiator also needed to be repaired.

The rear brakes and the radiator were addressed. About $45,000 has been spent so far, according to Vander Molen.

The town of Lake George pays a flat amount to the fire department per a contract. Dickinson said the town has not received a list of expenditures from the fire department.

Chief Jason Berry was not at the meeting. He had just returned to work following his honeymoon.

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Posted: Nov 15, 2016

Smart Power Systems Introduces the First Generator Controls through SAE J1939 Format

REED CITY, MI—Smart Power has introduced an exciting and powerful control system for its generators using an SAE J1939 approved format that integrates with a vehicle's multiplexing system.

John Woltman, president of Smart Power Systems, says the company's generators "will uniquely provide trucks J1939-compatible communication plus advanced diagnostic capabilities."

J1939 covers the design and use of devices that transmit electronic signals and control information among a vehicle's components. When used as an application layer, J1939 provides important communications between the engine control, transmission control, vehicle body control, and other applicable subcontrol systems.

The patented Smart Power J1939 system gives the operator the advantage of monitoring and controlling the generator from any multiplex display.

The Smart Power Systems SAE J1939 integrated form provides remote diagnostics and control, both centralized or dispersed, Woltman says, allows for the lowest possible downtime through its advanced diagnostics, and improves generator systems downtime protection.

The system provides real-time vital operating parameters and diagnostics such as voltage, temperature, current, true system pressure, calculated load in kilowatts, and power factor, among others, Woltman adds. 

According to Dr. Demetris Agrotis, vice president, engineering, the important advantages of using the patented Smart Power J1939 system include the ability to control and monitor the generator system from any multiplex display, being able to customize the display for the information needed (based on the user's requirements), and the operator’s power to view warnings and alarms in plain language from all multiplex displays and then take immediate action.

"Our systems retain their previous total electronic control functionality," Agrotis points out, "with features such as cold start protection, overheat protection, soft start, service reminders, self diagnostics, fine-tuned frequency control, and more. By integrating with the vehicle's central multiplexing system, it is easier to operate, and by having the generator tied into the central display, you will never miss a generator message, warning or alert."

Other main elements of the improved system, besides the electronic control functions, are ease of operation, plain English messages and diagnostics, and the Command and Control Center, Agrotis says. 

During normal operation, the multiplexing screen shows basic vital information such as voltage, amperage draw, temperature, and hours on fluid filter in customizable, easy-to-read form. Optional menus are available, and turning the generator on and off is a single-button operation.

The Smart Power system also provides important information, dealing with issues such as fan faults, sensor faults, highest operating values reached (voltage, temperature, current), hours at excessive values, number of shutdown overrides performed, and the like.

The widely known Command and Control Center remains as a Smart Power standard system component for use in addition to, or in the absence of, a multiplexing system display. Its completely sealed design and solid state touch buttons allow it to be installed externally on the pump panel or next to a breaker box.

For more information, visit www.smartpower.com.

 

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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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