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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: May 24, 2025

Carbondale (IL) FD Dedicates New Rescue Pumper

CARBONDALE — If you see a shiny new fire truck on the road in Carbondale, you’re not imagining things.

The Carbondale Fire Department held a dedication ceremony on Thursday afternoon for Fire Engine 6, a 2025 model rescue pumper truck that replaces a retiring engine.

“This is a very big moment, and something that we’re very proud of that’s going to serve the citizens of Carbondale for upwards of 20-25 years,” Carbondale Fire Chief Rob Miller said.

The new engine — replacing a 1996 model engine, as the department aims for a lifespan of a little over two decades with each vehicle — joins a fleet of three engines, two ladder trucks and one rescue truck.

Its role as a rescue pumper truck means that it will be able to carry out the duties of a traditional fire engine, while simultaneously carrying a variety of equipment that would typically be found on a rescue truck.

During the dedication ceremony, Carbondale residents helped push the truck into the station’s garage on College Street.

Miller said the practice is an homage to the early days of firefighting.

“Whenever the horse-drawn carriages would come back to the fire station, they would unhitch the horses and the firefighters would push their carriage back into the station,” Miller said. “The community would help push that stagecoach back into the firehouse.”

Additionally, residents rinsed off the engine with a provided commemorative towel. Pastor Bob Gray delivered a brief blessing.

As he invited the community to lend a hand in dedicating the fire engine, Miller emphasized the relationship between Carbondale and the fire department that serves the city.

“The fire station is a part of your neighborhoods,” Miller said. “This firehouse is always open. It’s a very busy place. We have a lot of people going in and out just from the community, and it’s part of home.”

Miller thanked city staff in attendance, particularly Mayor Carolin Harvey and City Manager Stan Reno, for their help in getting the department a new truck.

Reno and Harvey joined several city employees and a few councilmembers in participating in the dedication ceremony.

“I know it’s well needed, and this is an important piece of equipment that will last a long time,” Reno said. “I hope that it brings more safety and resources and support to the fire department for the community at large.”

© 2025 The Southern Illinoisan, Ill.. Visit www.thesouthern.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post Carbondale (IL) FD Dedicates New Rescue Pumper appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: May 24, 2025

Peoria (IL) FD Adds New Ladder Truck, Two Pumpers for $3.2M

The city of Peoria paid $3.2 million for a new 100-foot ladder truck, replacing Truck 1, and two new pumpers, 25newsnow.com reported.

The old ladder truck will be sold at auction, according to the report.

The Peoria Fire Department added two new Pierce pumpers in addition to a new ladder truck.

Pumper Specifications

ChassisImpel®
BodyPumper
Actual Overall Height9′ 9″
EngineCummins L9
Horsepower450 hp
Front SuspensionTAK-4® Independent Front Suspension
Rear SuspensionSpring
Electrical SystemCommand Zone™
PumpWaterous Midship
Pump GPM1250 gpm
TankWater
Tank Size500 gallons

The post Peoria (IL) FD Adds New Ladder Truck, Two Pumpers for $3.2M appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: May 24, 2025

Attempted Theft of Tools at CA Fire Station

At approximately 7:15 p.m. Thursday, May 22, Suisun City (CA) firefighters heard unusual noises and observed individuals inside the apparatus bay of the fire station, the Suisun City Fire Department said in a Facebook post. Upon investigation, one of the firefighters witnessed a male subject attempting to steal tools from the station’s maintenance shop.

The suspect, described as a Hispanic male, fled the scene with two additional individuals who appeared to be juvenile males. Firefighters were able to recover cordless power tools that had been placed in a bicycle basket before the trio fled the area.

The incident was immediately reported to the Suisun City Police Department. Officers responded promptly and conducted a search of the surrounding area. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Suisun City Police Department’s non-emergency line at (707) 421-7373.

The post Attempted Theft of Tools at CA Fire Station appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: May 23, 2025

Gasoline Torches: Setup and Operation

Oxygen-gasoline torches have been found to perform very well and cut faster than oxygen-acetylene/propane torches. They have been around for decades. They run on a several types of liquid fuel (most commonly gasoline) and oxygen. The fuel is delivered to the torch through hoses from a pressurized gas tank (hand pumped) and a cylinder of oxygen.

The fuel tank is pressurized by a built-in hand pump. Use only fresh fuel and flush the lines if liquid fuel is going to sit in the lines for even a few days. White gas or camp fuel is cleaner and lasts longer.

The fuel and oxygen are combined in a mixer in the head of the torch. The fuel mixture travels to the tip of the torch, where it is lit. After a few seconds of heating, the tip of the torch becomes hot enough to vaporize the gasoline in the tip. Unlike acetylene and propane, you purposely hold the flame tip against the metal to heat the tip. The rapid expansion results in a high-velocity stream of highly combustible oxygen/ gas vapor that fuels the cutting flame of the torch.

Vaporization of the fuel in the tip is an endothermic process that reduces overheating of the tip and extends its life. In this way, this torch is safer because the fuel is liquid all the way to the tip, making a flashback impossible. The torch doesn’t come with a flashback arrestor on the fuel line.

Gasoline vapors, like propane, are heavier than air. Vapors will settle to the ground and flow similar to a liquid. This is why gasoline vapors tend to find their way into drains, sewer lines, basements, and other low spots. Stay alert and monitor; keep the area ventilated.

light this torch

1 To light this torch, turn the fuel valve and the oxygen valve both halfway on, and light the mist. Once lit, place the tip directly on the work piece. (Photos by author.)

Build pressure

2 Build pressure to deliver the fuel by pumping the black knob handle to the pressure corresponding to the installed tip according to a tip chart.

Gasoline is more efficient than equal amounts of acetylene (2U gallons gasoline = 250 cubic feet acetylene). It is also less expensive and cuts thicker metal. Cutting through rust, debris, stainless steel, concrete-caked rebar, some exotic metals, and across air gaps is not a problem, whereas an oxygen- acetylene/propane torch does not do as well in the same situations. There are even high-heat tips that allow it to burn several kinds of liquid fuels, including diesel, biodiesel, kerosene, and military jet propellant (JP) 8, 5, and 24.

LIGHTING AND CUTTING

The liquid fuel mist created by the mixing in the tip and pressure from the oxygen can be hard to ignite. Sometimes your striker will become wet with gasoline, making sparks impossible. Hold the striker a bit off to the side of the mist to ignite.

To light this torch, turn the fuel valve and the oxygen valve both halfway on, and light the mist. Once lit, place the tip directly on the work piece, something you should not do with an acetylene or a propane torch. Do this to heat the tip to help vaporize the liquid fuel. As the tip heats the flame, quality will improve. If needed, slowly add fuel to develop an orange star pattern flaring from the tip 2 to 3 inches round. As the tip is against the work piece, it should begin to reach kindling temperature. Readjust (only using the fuel valve) as needed to produce a dark blue inner flame of about ¼ inch long. Better too much fuel than too much oxygen. Once properly adjusted, this flame will sound loud and aggressive. If this torch doesn’t light and adjust

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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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