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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: Apr 3, 2023

The Motorola APX NEXT XN Smart Radio and XVN500 Remote Speaker Microphone

By Raul Angulo

Radio communications are probably the least exciting component of fireground strategy and tactics, yet without them we cannot operate efficiently and safely.

In fact, in a modern society, without radio communications it is unlikely that we could perform any emergency operations at all. Radio communications are used extensively in size-up, making assignments, reporting progress or delays in carrying out those assignments, reporting changing fireground conditions, and maintaining firefighter accountability.

Most importantly, radio communications are our invisible lifeline to safety, especially when a Mayday is called for a trapped or down firefighter. This is when your life literally depends on the reliability of your portable radio.

Another area that heavily depends on the reliability of portable radio communications is in high-rise firefighting. Depending on how much concrete and steel is used in a building of Type I fire-resistive construction, firefighters may lose the ability to communicate when operating deep inside the building or in below-grade levels. An 800 MHz signal from a repeater can effectively be blocked. A “bonk” tone occurs when the transmit button is depressed, preventing all communications from being sent or received. Task assignments can be missed; situation updates can’t be reported; and, most importantly, you cannot call a Mayday for help. You are on your own.

Our current solution is to switch to a simplex channel (radio-to-radio) or physically move to a perimeter window within the high-rise building to establish line-of-sight communications with the command post or move to where the portable radio can once again connect to the repeater and reestablish normal communications. However, this solution is not always reliable or possible.

A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

Well, these problems have been mitigated by Motorola Solutions with the introduction of the APX NEXT XN portable radio and XVN500 Remote Speaker Microphone (RSM). Launched in December 2022, it is Motorola Solutions most rugged portable radio for the fire service to date.

This smart radio is an all-band radio. It can be used with 800 MHz, 700 MHz, UHF, VHF, broadband, and Wi-Fi networks. It has voice-roam LTE (Long-Term Evolution) capability with FirstNet AT&T and Verizon networks as well as Bell Mobility in Canada. LTE is a standard for wireless data transmissions and is sometimes referred to as 4G LTE. Equipped with Smart Connect, the radio detects when a land mobile radio signal is low or lost and automatically switches to LTE connectivity, ensuring the continuity of voice communications.

For example, the 800 MHz system or whatever designated fire frequency normally is used always takes priority, and the ability to switch to a simplex channel remains a viable option. But if the 800 MHz signal is weak, intermittent, or lost completely, as in a dead zone, the smart radio will roam to the agency’s carrier network (FirstNet AT&T, Verizon, or in Canada Bell Mobility) and will automatically switch over without the firefighter having to manually change channels or manipulate the radio.

The smart radio can also roam to a Wi-Fi network and continue to transmit and receive messages if provisioned on the network or connected to a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. The quality of communication remains the same. The radio indicates that SoundConnect is active by showing blue bars on the top display panel as well as on the larger touch screen on the front of the radio. It also uses a different talk-permit tone, which alerts the firefighter that the radio has switched to an alternative network. Again, it’s done automatically and seamlessly without the firefighter doing anything.

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Posted: Apr 3, 2023

Fire Apparatus of the Day: April 3, 2023

Spartan Emergency Response—Ward No. 4 Fire Protection District, Jonesboro, LA, top-controls pumper. Freightliner M2 106 SBA 2-door cab and chassis; Cummins L9 350-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon water tank; 20-gallon foam cell; One Touch CAFS 150-cfm system; Hale FoamLogix 2.1A single-agent foam system; Smart Power 6-kW generator. Dealer: Matt LeCamus, Delta Fire & Safety, Eunice, LA.


PREVIOUS PHOTO OF THE DAY >>

MORE FIRE APPARATUS ARTICLES >>

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Posted: Apr 3, 2023

Firefighter Suffers Cut to Head, Concussion When Tree Limb Falls on Fire Truck During Windstorm

PRESS RELEASE

The Colson (KY) Volunteer Fire Department made the following post on Facebook April 1:

The Colson Fire Department received several calls April 1 for service due to the high wind storm surge that we have experienced the last 24 hours. While responding from one call to another, Firefighter/Captain Ricky Simmons was responding to a report of a motor vehicle collision on Highway 7N at approximately 1500Hrs (3pm). While responding CPT. Simmons was operating CFD Engine-1 when a tree fell off the side of the hill and struck the apparatus. CPT. Simmons went to the ER for his injuries sustained in accident. CPT. Simmons suffered an abrasion to his head and a concussion but thankfully he is OK and back home, the accident could have been much worse. This just shows what first responders are willing to sacrifice every time a call comes out.

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Posted: Apr 3, 2023

Overland Park (KS) Breaks Ground on Reconstruction of Fire Station 41

PRESS RELEASE

The reconstruction of Fire Station 41 is officially underway. The city of Overland Park broke ground at the site of the new fire station on Wednesday, March 29. The new facility will be built on the same site as the recently-demolished fire station located at 7550 W. 75th Street. 

Mayor Curt Skoog spoke to event attendees about the significance of the new fire station. He and City Manager Lori Curtis Luther participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking alongside Fire Chief Bryan Dehner and Overland Park Fire Department staff as well as city and county officials.

With an emphasis on sanitation and the safety of staff, the design of the new Fire Station 41 will prevent contamination by including new decontamination areas and providing additional space and facilities between equipment and living spaces.

Fire Station 41 will also address new design best practices for equipment and personnel, including individual, gender inclusive living quarters and restrooms. An extended driveway along with two back-in truck bays and two drive-through truck bays will allow fire trucks to easily return to the station with minimal impact to drivers on 75th Street. 

Prior to the demolition of the original fire station, the City renovated the decommissioned Marty Pool House to use as a temporary fire station during construction. This allows fire crews to provide the same level of responsiveness to emergency calls within the district. 

The new facility is scheduled to open in the summer of 2024. 

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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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