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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, 2016

New York City Firefighting Arsenal Will Soon Include Drones

Firefighting in big cities has changed very little over the years, with commanders relying on the same supply strategies and instincts as they always have. But new technologies give fire commanders a better understanding of what is happening at a scene as they dispatch firefighters into dangerous and fast-moving situations.
Officials said they expected the drone to be put to work in the city in the coming weeks, responding to two-alarm or greater fires. Two more will be added by the end of the year.

The drone is painted fire-engine red, and officials joked that they had considered having “Keep Back 200 Feet” emblazoned on it, just like on the trucks. The drone weighs only about eight pounds, but it is a far more sophisticated device than the ones used by weekend hobbyists. Costing $85,000, it captures both standard video and infrared images.

"That tool for a chief is just night and day from what it was not just 30 years ago when I started, but 15 years ago,” Daniel A. Nigro, the New York fire commissioner, said. "And moving forward, technology like this is a terrific advantage for us and for fire departments around the country."

The department's efforts to use technology intensified after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when fire officials realized the shortcomings commanders faced in trying to take stock of a chaotic scene.

Since then, the department has added an operations center at its headquarters with a wall of monitors displaying calls from around the city and, on a recent morning, a live stream from a police helicopter with a close-up of a man threatening to jump from the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge.

The Command Tactical Unit, which deploys firefighters with cameras to try to get different perspectives of a fire, once responded to fires in a refurbished ambulance because the equipment was so bulky. Now, members of the unit are dispatched with a backpack loaded with a tablet, a smartphone and a Wi-Fi hot spot device.

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Posted: Sep 8, 2016

Fire Service Industry News: Milwaukee Introduces Four-Mode LED Search Light

Milwaukee Tool continues to expand the industry's largest family of high output lighting solutions with the introduction of the M18™ LED Search Light. Designed to provide maximum performance and versatility in the toughest jobsite environments, the new light boasts a beam distance of more than 700 yards and 1250 lumens of light, allowing users to spot farther and flood brighter. 

The new M18™ LED Search Light is the ideal solution for users who need to illuminate or spot an area at long distance or overhead, but also often need flood lighting for task work. With four modes to address a variety of lighting situations, just one of these Search Lights can do the job of two lights at once. A Spot Mode helps identify problems from afar; a patent-pending Spot Flood Mode assists in viewing issues from 700 yards but also provides a wider view of the surrounding area, reducing tripping hazards; a Flood Mode provides a broad beam for area and task lighting; and a Strobe Mode for communication and safety needs. A 198 degree head rotation gives users the flexibility to tilt the direction of the lens to where they need light most.

The Search Light features TRUEVIEW™ Technology, which utilizes the most advanced LED technology and optical designs to deliver a consistent beam, optimized color temperature, and true representation of colors and detail leading to a more productive work area.

A durable high-impact polycarbonate lens design can survive harsh jobsite conditions, delivering superior impact durability. Additionally, an IP54 rating for all weather use provides users the confidence that this Search Light can hold up to the conditions and situations they commonly experience throughout the day. As with all of Milwaukee’s high output LED lights, the new Search Light also features a limited lifetime LED warranty, and a 5-year warranty on the product.

Powered by Milwaukee RED LITHIUM batteries*, the new M18™ LED Search Light is compatible with the M18™ cordless system, now offering more than 100 power tool products. Committed to its focus on the user and investment in game-changing technology, Milwaukee® will continue to design and develop lighting solutions with the ability to adapt, perform and survive the demands of professional use.

Specifications

M18™ LED Search Light (2354-21)

Spot:                600 Lumens, 7 hours of run-time

Flood:              1200 Lumens, 4 hours of run-time

Spot/Flood:      1250 Lumens, 4 hours of run-time

Strobe:            1200 Lumens, 5 hours of run-time

Weight:            4.76 lbs

*Also available as a bare tool (2354-20)

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Posted: Sep 8, 2016

Product News

HURST Jaws of Life, Inc.’s four new spreaders include two as part of the eDRAULIC® line and two within HURST’s 10,000-psi high-pressure offering. The launch includes the SP 555E2, one of the strongest portable spreaders on the market today. All four spreaders include “Shark Tooth” removable tips with multifunctional design and four rows of shark-like teeth to grip any material. They also feature squeezing plates integrated directly into the arms of each spreader.

The eDRAULIC spreaders come with two lithium ion rechargeable batteries and one charger. Users can also plug the tools in with a 110-V adapter. All four spreaders are NFPA 1936 compliant with an IP rating of IP54 on the eDRAULIC versions. The SP 555E2 and SP 555 models replace the existing SP 310E2 and SP 310 versions, and the SP 333E2 and SP 333 replace the SP 300E2 and SP 300 models. www.jawsoflife.com, 800-537-2659

The Honeywell Life Guard Hood features a patent-pending design and proven fabrics that provide blocking protection against hazardous particulates. Replacing the traditional “sock hood,” the Life Guard Hood delivers new laboratory-proven levels of particulate-blocking protection with a lighter, more roomy fit that integrates with SCBA and turnout gear to ensure a high level of comfort and safety.

Features of the new Honeywell Life Guard Hood include the ability to block carcinogenic particulates in both air and water; highly-breathable multilayer composite material, coupled with a roomier design that promotes the safe flow of air around a user’s head and neck; balanced thermal protective performance (TPP) and total heat loss (THL) design that supports a drier, breathable, and comfortable wear; and a patented Mask Mate™ face opening that better fits the shape of face pieces and provides a wider field of vision. www.honeywellfirstresponder.com, 800-688-6148

Coxreels 300 Series “Exhaust” hose reels are designed to enable the extraction of exhaust fumes directly from the source of their emission and maintain safe workplace air quality. Coxreels exhaust reels store lengths of large-diameter exhaust hose and mount to any wall, overhead, and floor position.

The heavy duty frame on Coxreels exhaust reels is built to provide strength, durability, and stability. The components of this reel are individually powder coated, providing excellent resistance in any environment. These reels also feature a panel to easily access the main drum, where the internal ducting is included. www.coxreels.com, 800-269-7335

ARGO Responder vehicles feature interchangeable modules, allowing the units to serve as a firefighting pump, off-road ambulance, or crew transport for a team of up to six first responders. With go-anywhere amphibious capabilities, the Frontier 8x8 Responder S, Avenger 8x8 Responder X, and Avenger 8x8 Responder feature a number of options as standard equipment including 25-inch steel offset rims; skid plate; heavy-duty bearing extensions; bilge pump; 3,500-pound WARN power winch; a robust brush guard; and a first responder package that includes

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Posted: Sep 8, 2016

Product News

HURST Jaws of Life, Inc.’s four new spreaders include two as part of the eDRAULIC® line and two within HURST’s 10,000-psi high-pressure offering. The launch includes the SP 555E2, one of the strongest portable spreaders on the market today. All four spreaders include “Shark Tooth” removable tips with multifunctional design and four rows of shark-like teeth to grip any material. They also feature squeezing plates integrated directly into the arms of each spreader.

The eDRAULIC spreaders come with two lithium ion rechargeable batteries and one charger. Users can also plug the tools in with a 110-V adapter. All four spreaders are NFPA 1936 compliant with an IP rating of IP54 on the eDRAULIC versions. The SP 555E2 and SP 555 models replace the existing SP 310E2 and SP 310 versions, and the SP 333E2 and SP 333 replace the SP 300E2 and SP 300 models. www.jawsoflife.com, 800-537-2659

The Honeywell Life Guard Hood features a patent-pending design and proven fabrics that provide blocking protection against hazardous particulates. Replacing the traditional “sock hood,” the Life Guard Hood delivers new laboratory-proven levels of particulate-blocking protection with a lighter, more roomy fit that integrates with SCBA and turnout gear to ensure a high level of comfort and safety.

Features of the new Honeywell Life Guard Hood include the ability to block carcinogenic particulates in both air and water; highly-breathable multilayer composite material, coupled with a roomier design that promotes the safe flow of air around a user’s head and neck; balanced thermal protective performance (TPP) and total heat loss (THL) design that supports a drier, breathable, and comfortable wear; and a patented Mask Mate™ face opening that better fits the shape of face pieces and provides a wider field of vision. www.honeywellfirstresponder.com, 800-688-6148

Coxreels 300 Series “Exhaust” hose reels are designed to enable the extraction of exhaust fumes directly from the source of their emission and maintain safe workplace air quality. Coxreels exhaust reels store lengths of large-diameter exhaust hose and mount to any wall, overhead, and floor position.

The heavy duty frame on Coxreels exhaust reels is built to provide strength, durability, and stability. The components of this reel are individually powder coated, providing excellent resistance in any environment. These reels also feature a panel to easily access the main drum, where the internal ducting is included. www.coxreels.com, 800-269-7335

ARGO Responder vehicles feature interchangeable modules, allowing the units to serve as a firefighting pump, off-road ambulance, or crew transport for a team of up to six first responders. With go-anywhere amphibious capabilities, the Frontier 8x8 Responder S, Avenger 8x8 Responder X, and Avenger 8x8 Responder feature a number of options as standard equipment including 25-inch steel offset rims; skid plate; heavy-duty bearing extensions; bilge pump; 3,500-pound WARN power winch; a robust brush guard; and a first responder package that includes

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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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