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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 11, 2016

Kochek at Forefront of Firefighting Safety

Greg Kozey faced challenges when he was a volunteer firefighter and chief in Eastford many years ago. Finding water sources in a town with no hydrants was one of his primary challenges. But Kozey was a machinist. He started working on a solution.
What fire departments had at the time was a strainer they could put into a water source so a truck could suck the water up and spit it out. But those strainers were heavy, cumbersome designs that often got clogged up.

"It was a safety hazard," Kozey said. "You can't run out of water once you start."

For several months, Kozey tinkered with a design until he perfected a self-leveling floating strainer. It was light enough for one person to handle. He got a patent on it, and fire companies in the area started buying the device. Then he built something firefighters could use to break through the ice to get to water in the winter. He got a patent on that long-handled ice strainer.

Things just snowballed from there. From strainers, he moved on to other firefighting equipment. Today, the company sells a host of other fire equipment, irrigation, water works, and industrial products for customers. They have a $4.5 million contract with the government to fight forest fires. Their products are sold in the United States, Canada, and internationally. Most of the fire departments in the area use Kochek products and equipment.

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Posted: May 11, 2016

Rapid City (SD) Fire Department Puts Fire Apparatus into Service

The Rapid City Fire Department now has a new wildland fire truck that was put into service on Tuesday. Engine 5-5 is a new 2013 F-150 brush truck, replacing a 1995 brush truck.The new engine is a four door and carries 400 gallons of water, as opposed to the old single cab that carried 300 gallons.

Lt. Josh Lange says, "It's important because the wear and tear on wildland apparatus is a little higher than what you see on like our big Type 1 engines, you know, we call them pavement queens, the big one, because they pretty much stay to the concrete. These ones are going through the woods and up and down dozer line and maybe even long distances like sometimes we go to California and throughout the country to different fires, so it's important to keep them up to date and just have the best equipment we can."
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Posted: May 11, 2016

Fire Apparatus Involved in Accident in Dayton (OH)

A Dayton fire engine was involved in a minor crash this morning at Wayne Avenue and Hugo Street. A four-door sedan sustained side-impact damage from Dayton Engine 2. There were no reports of injuries. Police were called to the scene shortly before 10 a.m.
The car side-swiped the engine, causing damage to its driver’s side and damaged the exhaust and side panel of the engine.

No one was injured.

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Posted: May 11, 2016

Product News

TURTLE TUBE for grain silo rescue is 18 inches in diameter and can be forced into grain around a victim. Then it expands to allow breathing room and shifts weight so the victim can be freed.

The Turtle Tube comes with a convenient carrying bag with a shoulder strap. Deployment is quick by simply loosening two giant stainless steel wingnuts. www.turtleplastics.com, 440-282-8008

Eagle Eye Networks, Inc. “First Responder Real-time Video Access” allows predesignated first responders to receive immediate, real-time security camera access during emergency situations. The cameras are shared only when an authorized user activates first responder access. Immediate situational awareness can be crucial when there are intruders, a fire, or other situations.

The insights that first responders gain from the clear, deep visibility can directly impact their actions-from necessary evacuations to the specific protective measures they might take. Following setup, the video streams will continue to be private-only accessible by the organization-until authorized personnel activate the video access. As a safeguard to avoid accidentally sending emails, the user will also click on an “Are you sure you want to activate?” notice to confirm. www.eagleeyenetworks.com, 512-473-0500

STREAMLIGHT® 18650 LITHIUM ION BATTERY AND CHARGER is designed to energize the growing line of Streamlight products that accept 18650 rechargeable batteries. The new, dual-power-input charging system permits charging through either AC/DC or USB power sources. The two-bay cradle can charge either one Streamlight 18650 lithium ion battery or two batteries simultaneously, charging a single battery in as little as 3.5 hours. The charger is equipped with dual-power-input ports, accepting either 5-V Micro-USB or traditional AC or DC power sources.

This gives users a variety of charging options, such as a personal computer, portable USB charger, or 12-VDC automotive power, when a wall outlet is not available. Streamlight’s rechargeable 18650 batteries offer 3.7-V, 2,600-mAh and are rechargeable up to 500 times. The charger unit has an impact-resistant engineered polymer housing. Its Micro-USB input has a custom locking feature that charges from Streamlight AC/USB adapters or most other USB sources. www.streamlight.com, 800-523-7488

SMART CONTROL P™ DIGITAL CONTROL PANEL offers a compact display that is designed to fit on most Darley portable and engine-driven pumps.

The panel has a compact design at only 4.3 inches, and the Smart Control P features start, stop, and throttle control; digital water discharge pressure readout; engine RPM, temperature, and hour meter; dual control panel control for operation in the cab or at the panel; primer activation; inlet and discharge pressure; waterproof design; and is set for emergency shutdown or to warn for loss of water, loss of oil pressure, and high engine temperature. Read more

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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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