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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: Jun 9, 2016

New York City Ambulances Going Green, Saving Green

AUSTIN, TX—The New York City Fire Department is installing Stealth Power’s idle reduction systems on more than 100 of its ambulances, helping prevent hazardous emissions and saving fuel. Emergency response vehicles need electric power to operate vital equipment and provide a controlled environment for medicines and patient care. Historically, this required ambulances to idle their engines at all times. For every hour of idle—up to 20 hours a day in NYC—one ambulance burns about 1.5 gallons of fuel, emits about 33 pounds of carbon dioxide, and puts 35-50 miles’ worth of wear-and-tear on its engine. Multiply that by NYC’s fleet size, and operating time of 365 days a year and the numbers—in both dollars and carbon emissions—become exorbitant.

Stealth Power’s smart power systems provide power without engaging the engine. The system allows first responders the power they need to run all auxiliary electrical equipment—including air, heat, lights, laptops, radio, refrigerator, windows, and power-load stretchers—without turning on the ambulance’s engine. It recharges when the truck is driven.

“Stealth Power’s EMS Series provides dependable power for ambulances without idling,” explains Devin Scott, CEO, Stealth Power. “The New York Fire Department has the busiest EMS system nationwide—it responded to more than 1.5 million calls last year. Our technology offers fast access to power which aids first responders’ lifesaving efforts while creating a better work, patient, and community environment.”

The City of New York is committed to protecting public health and the environment. Emissions from excessive idling is a major source of pollution that has been linked to increases in asthma, allergies, heart and lung disease, and cancer. In addition to reducing these hazardous emissions, Stealth Power’s systems also save the City money by using less fuel, reducing maintenance and decreasing engine wear and tear. These systems also operate quietly, decreasing noise and engine vibration providing improved conditions for both patients and emergency personnel. They also have emergency “never stranded” jumpstart capability that also increases patient safety.

For more information, visit http://www.StealthPower.net or http://idlereduction.com.

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Posted: Jun 9, 2016

Fire Truck Photo of the Day-Spartan ER Pumper-Tanker

Eagle Mountain (TX) Fire Department, tanker-pumper. Gladiator cab and chassis; Cummins ISX 500-hp engine; Waterous CSX 1,250-gpm pump.

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Posted: Jun 8, 2016

Pittsfield (IL) Breaks Ground on Larger Fire Station

Pittsfield firefighter Jason Herren, left, waits on a pumper truck as another firefighter brings out a truck before Herren can get into his truck at the beginning of a training session on Jefferson Street outside the fire station. With the size of firetrucks and other vehicles these days, itÕs a tight squeeze in the Pittsfield fire station, built in 1958. A new station going up just west of the existing one will help alleviate the space crunch. | H-W Photo/ Michael Kipley
The equipment the Pittsfield Fire Department uses has changed significantly since its firehouse was built in 1958, especially the size of trucks.

The department now squeezes four trucks into the firehouse, with barely enough room to walk between them.

A new five-bay firehouse to be built immediately to the east of the current fire station at Jefferson and Monroe will fix that.

After more than five years of planning, officials broke ground for the new firehouse Tuesday during a brief ceremony.

Fire Chief Jason White said the new building will be a game changer.

The new station will also include a kitchen, office and a training room.

With about 30 volunteer firefighters, the Pittsfield Fire Department covers the city and the outlying Rural Pittsfield Fire Protection District, which includes parts of eight townships, as well as the villages Detroit and Time.

White said the department began pushing for the new station three years ago.

"The city's kept (the station) up really well, but the trucks were getting bigger and the building is not," he said.

The $765,000 building is being funded through a $600,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture loan that will be paid back over 30 years with an annual interest rate of 2.875 percent. The department has also been saving about $20,000 a year to help cover the construction.

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Posted: Jun 8, 2016

Rochester (MI) Fire Station Renovations on Track

When it was built in 1956, the Brooklands Fire Station was all about firefighting. But modern fire departments are equipped to handle almost any emergency — including medical aid, fire suppression, car accidents, hazardous material handling and more, while also providing a variety of public education, safety programs and building inspections.
Full-time firefighter/paramedics are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Paid on-call personnel are scheduled for emergency medical service coverage and provide on-call response during fire emergencies.

Thanks to a voter-approved city charter amendment authorizing funding, an $8 million renovation to four city fire stations is currently underway. The stations will receive larger equipment bay doors, gender-specific locker rooms, kitchens, fitness rooms and more.

The Brooklands station, on Auburn Road near John R, will have 2,000 square feet of extra space when completed later this summer. Sleeping areas for employees on a 24-hour shift include beds, desks and wardrobes, with lighting and alarm sounds designed for maximum impact. New windows keep the sleeping areas dark.

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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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