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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

Hagerstown (MD) Buys Two New Fire Apparatus

Posted: May 25, 2016

Hagerstown (MD) Buys Two New Fire Apparatus

The Hagerstown Fire Department is about to become the owner of two new aerial fire trucks costing little more than $2 million that will replace two outdated models that are getting tougher to maintain. The Hagerstown City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to purchase the second truck for $1.2 million.

The first truck has been delivered. It was parked Tuesday at Atlantic Emergency Solutions dealership in Williamsport, where the fire department and the dealership are working out final details on the rig. That truck, which will be stationed at Pioneer Hook and Ladder on West Franklin Street, cost the city $1.1 million.

City Fire Chief Steve Lohr appeared before the council last week to request that it expedite the purchase of the second truck.

The previous administration agreed to purchase the second truck in 2018, but Lohr told the council and Mayor David S. Gysberts that he has been able to line up a discount from the Pierce manufacturing company if the vehicle was purchased now.

Since the city purchased the first truck, Pierce has imposed three 3.5 percent price increases, and a similar hike is anticipated in October, he said.

Lohr said Pierce quoted him a subtotal price of about $1.3 million for the second truck. But if the city purchases the truck now, it would enjoy several discounts bringing the price down to $1.2 million, he said.

In addition, the Western Enterprise Fire Co., where the second truck would be headquartered, has agreed to contribute $150,000 toward the purchase, bringing the city's cost down to a little more than $1 million, according to Lohr.

Jackson County (MI) Gathers for 'Blessing' of Fire Apparatus

A large American flag hung between two extended towers from firetrucks at the Parma-Sandstone Fire Department, as more than 100 people attended the first county-wide "blessing of the firetrucks" Saturday morning.

Fire trucks and firefighters from 10 departments - from Jackson County and a few neighboring counties - were on display on May 21.

Tony Cruz, a Parma-Sandstone Fire Department firefighter, was one of four on the committee organizing the event.

Cruz has been living on four hours of sleep for the past month to organize the event, along with keeping up with firefighting duties and his job as a full-time electrician. All but one of the firefighters there were volunteers, including "ministers, lawn guys, computer guys and high school students," he said.

"I have a lot of friends that ride in motorcycle clubs and they have their blessing of the bikes every year," Cruz said. "I said, 'How cool would it be to get all of our firetrucks together?' So it was kind of my brain child bringing this in and we just rolled with it from there."

Troopers: Suspected Drunk Driver Side-Swiped Charlotte Fire Apparatus

Troopers arrested a man accused of driving drunk, side-swiping a fire truck and then leading police on a chase in west Charlotte overnight. The Highway Patrol said firefighters were responding to a crash on Interstate 85 just before 2 a.m. when a driver hit the truck.

"I don't know if the gentleman was trying to slow down and get on this ramp, which would have been devastating being the wrong way, but the trooper did a lawful pit maneuver, which was able to successfully get the suspect stopped," said trooper Darren Conrad.

Rural New Mexico Departments Use Hydrant Booster Pump System to Lower ISO Score

Rural fire departments are continually expected to do more with less. To combat higher expectations with shrinking public funds, rural fire departments must find investments that offer returns for both the fire department and also the local community.

Darley Hydrant Booster

Access to a reliable water supply is one the largest drivers of the ISO score--the insurance rating score provided from insurance companies. The reliability of a consistent water supply is a necessary logistical concern that every rural fire chief must ensure during fire operations. In Corrales, New Mexico, Chief Anthony Martinez states, “Living on well water does not bode well for reliable fire suppression systems. Rural areas do not have public water and major pumping stations that larger urban areas are accustomed to.”

To provide peace of mind for rural communities, rural fire departments can consider decentralized pumping stations, called Hydrant Boosters, which offer a consistent water supply to local hydrants. A reliable charged hydrant means improved water tanker refill time and the opportunity to save the entire community money from a lower ISO rating.

In Santa Rita, New Mexico, Chief Standard comments that the implementation of a stationary Hydrant Booster pump receives the equivalent ISO reduction as a Class A pumper. “The Hydrant Booster was considerably less expensive than buying a new truck for the department and will provide a faster turnaround time for our area that has little to no hydrants.”

In addition to the value added to the entire community, the Hydrant Booster includes an automatic self-testing feature, removing the man-power needed to provide constant test maintenance. “There is a green check light on the panel face. When illuminated, it means all systems are ready to go," states Chief Martinez, “I know maintenance is an issue on this type of pumping station, but this system makes it easier on us.” The Hydrant Booster is tested twice a month, ensuring that the water pressure will be available when needed during a real live fire scenario.

After the successful installation of two Hydrant Boosters in Corrales, the hydrant booster lowered the ISO rating in the community from a Class 7 to a Class 4 rating. In Santa Rita, the ISO rating is expected to go from a Class 7 to a Class 5. These lower ISO rating will help lower insurance premiums throughout the community, allowing more funds for additional fire and safety equipment.

More: www.darley.com