Washington Fire Chiefs > Sections

HomeExpand
- WFCExpoExpand
MembersExpand
- Fire Service DirectoryExpand
  - Associate MembersExpand
  - County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- NPPGOV Member ProgramExpand
- IAFC ForumExpand
About UsExpand
- WFC BoardExpand
- MembershipExpand
  - Department MembershipExpand
  - Affiliate MembershipExpand
  - Bugle MembershipExpand
- Contact UsExpand
NewsExpand
CalendarExpand
ResourcesExpand
- Legislative ResourcesExpand
- Job AnnouncementsExpand
- Classified AdsExpand
- EVIP InformationExpand
- WFC BookstoreExpand
- LODD ResourcesExpand
- Memorial WallExpand
- Safety CalendarExpand
- LinksExpand
- Volunteer ResourcesExpand
- Timeloss ResourcesExpand
- RFA Implementation GuideExpand
- COVID-19 ResourcesExpand
- WFC MagazineExpand
DocumentsExpand
- Association DocumentsExpand
  - Bylaws & PoliciesExpand
  - FormsExpand
  - Position PapersExpand
  - Minutes & Board BooksExpand
- Chief DocumentsExpand
  - State Chiefs RatesExpand
  - GEMT DocumentsExpand
  - NFIRS Annual ReportsExpand
  - Model PoliciesExpand
  - Training DocumentsExpand
- Legislative DocumentsExpand
- Event PresentationsExpand
- EMS Section DocumentsExpand
- Fire Administrative Support Section DocumentsExpand
- Fire Mechanics Section DocumentsExpand
- Fire Training Safety and Officers Section DocumentsExpand
- Public Fire Educators Section DocumentsExpand
SectionsExpand
- Emergency Medical ServicesExpand
- Fire Administrative SupportExpand
  - DocumentsExpand
  - Discussion Forum & RFI'sExpand
  - Member DirectoryExpand
  - MerchandiseExpand
  - Photo GalleryExpand
- Fire MechanicsExpand
  - Photo GalleryExpand
  - Training & TestingExpand
  - EVT Discussion ForumExpand
  - ScholarshipExpand
  - Award NominationExpand
- Fire Training Safety and OfficersExpand
  - Firefighter ProgramExpand
  - ScholarshipExpand
  - Photo GalleryExpand
- Public Fire EducatorsExpand
- HazMat CommitteeExpand
County Fire ChiefsExpand
- King County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- Pierce County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- Snohomish County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- Thurston County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
FRWCExpand
WSAFMExpand

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

Iowa School Adds Fire Apparatus, Ambulance

Posted: Sep 6, 2016

Iowa School Adds Fire Apparatus, Ambulance

DMACC is adding its own fire truck and ambulance to help better train students in its EMT and Fire Science Programs. Officials said the new tools will provide hands-on learning opportunities for students in two programs. The vehicles were unveiled at an event Tuesday morning at the DMACC Ankeny Campus.

Officials said the "ambulance will allow DMACC EMT and Paramedic Program students to train inside a working ambulance. The interior equipment, plus the fact that training can be done with the vehicle is moving, adds opportunities for valuable hands-on experience. The training requires medical knowledge, critical thinking skills and swift action under pressure."

In the past, the school has occasionally rented a truck from the Urbandale Fire Department. The new truck can hold five firefighters and is equipped with a 750-gallon onboard water tank, more than 2,000 feet of hose, an electrical generator, and vehicle extrication tools.

Port Angeles (WA) City Council to Consider Fire Apparatus Transfer

A vintage 1954 Seagrave fire engine is decked out in lights for Operation Candy Cane in December 2014. The Port Angeles City Council could approve the suprlus sale of the truck, known as Sparky, to the nonprofit Port Angeles Fire Department Auxiliary for $1 during its meeting today.

The association, a division of the nonprofit Port Angeles Fire Department Auxiliary, plans to restore the 1954 Seagrave fire engine and use it for community events, city officials said.

It has also been used in "Operation Candy Cane," a 32-year-old holiday food bank collection.

Every December, Sparky is adorned with holiday lights as firefighters cruise the neighborhoods handing out candy canes in exchange for nonperishable food and cash donations to the Port Angeles Food Bank.

"Repairs for the engine are cost prohibitive and parts are no longer available," Dubuc said in a memo to the council.

Sparky will be on display at City Hall at 321 E. Fifth St. beginning at 4:30 p.m. today.

Park Ridge (IL) Awarded $500,000 FEMA Grant

A grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will allow the Park Ridge Fire Department to replace a 21-year-old fire engine after attempts to obtain city funding reportedly failed.

According to the fire department, the $500,000 grant from FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program will allow for the purchase of a new, state-of-the-art 2017 fire engine, which will be assigned to crews at the city's south side station at Devon and Cumberland avenues.

The grant requires a $50,000 match from the city, the fire department said.

Fire Chief Jeff Sorensen said the engine that is facing replacement has nearly 130,000 miles and frequently requires repairs. Due to its age, many parts are not immediately available, leading to downtime periods that have stretched for more than a week at a time, Sorensen said.

Though he contends that service was not impacted, not having the engine available does present some concerns.

"There were days when we didn't have any backup vehicles at all," Sorensen said. "And that's a problem because if you have a large fire or multiple incidents and you have additional personnel come in, they won't have a vehicle to use."

Deer Lake Looking To Replace Ailing Pumper Truck

The Deer Lake Fire Department's pumper No. 3 is shown in this May photo. The pumper truck had to be taken out of service this week, meaning the department would not be able to provide mutual aid to neighboring communities.

Mayor Dean Ball said Thursday that Howley, Reidville and Cormack have all been notified of the situation.

The predicament goes deeper when factoring in the department’s response to highway accidents or collisions. When the Deer Lake Fire Rescue department is called to an accident outside its boundary, the pumper truck has to go with the rescue truck to provide support.

Ball said from here on out the only vehicle that will respond to accidents will be the rescue pickup.

“It will be a lesser service,” said Ball, who added the town is doing everything in its power to try to resolve the situation.

The 21-year-old pumper, the backup to a newer model, had actually been on the books for replacement. Ball said the town has been putting money aside for a while to do so.

An issue with the tank separating from the chassis was identified during a regular survey of equipment, and that bumped the pumper truck into first place for replacement. In doing so, it knocked the ladder truck the town had planned to replace first to second.