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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: Aug 1, 2016

Dirt Bike Rider Dies After Crash with Wilmington (DE) Fire Apparatus

A 21-year-old man operating a dirt bike crashed with a Wilmington firetruck Saturday afternoon. The rider was taken to the hospital and admitted in critical condition. 8/1/16 John J. Jankowski Jr. & Damian Giletto A 21-year-old man operating a dirt bike that crashed with a Wilmington firetruck Saturday afternoon has died from his injuries, city police said.

Preliminary investigation revealed the fire truck was traveling east on West Fourth and North Van Buren streets when it was involved in a crash with a dirt bike traveling northbound, said Sgt. Andrea Janvier, a spokeswoman for the Wilmington Police Department.

The fire truck was responding to an emergency call, Janvier said.

Police say the fire truck entered the intersection of North Van Buren Street with the traffic light green for all eastbound traffic.

At the same time, the dirt bike was traveling northbound on the street, and police said the operator failed to stop at a red light.

Failure to stop at the light caused the man to crash into the firetruck, according to police.

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Posted: Aug 1, 2016

Kitchens: Designed To Be "Heart" of the Fire Station

Kitchens: Designed To Be “Heart” of the Fire Station

The kitchen often serves as the heart of a fire station, a place where firefighters might congregate for a meal or after a call to grab some additional nourishment or hydration.

The design of firehouse kitchens varies around the country, from small, utilitarian kitchens to layouts that emulate well-appointed residential kitchens to areas that rival commercial kitchen designs.

1 The Phoenix Fire Department uses all stainless steel in its fire station kitchens, as is shown in this kitchen in Station 50.
1 The Phoenix Fire Department uses all stainless steel in its fire station kitchens, as is shown in this kitchen in Station 50.

Role of the Kitchen

Ken Newell, principal in Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects, observes that as the kitchen is the heart of a personal home, similarly firehouse kitchens serve the same role. “As architects, we consider the kitchen the heart of the firehouse, one of the most important spaces in the building,” Newell says. “When designing a new firehouse, we spend as much time talking about kitchens as any other area in the station and find a wide range of what firefighters consider important in a kitchen, depending on the type of department, from small volunteer fire companies to large career departments.”

2 Station 21 in the Phoenix Fire Department has a six-burner gas range with a single oven, all stainless steel counters and cabinetry, and polished concrete floor.
2 Station 21 in the Phoenix Fire Department has a six-burner gas range with a single oven, all stainless steel counters and cabinetry, and polished concrete floor.

Newell points out that the kitchen often becomes the social activity area in a fire station, followed by the day room and other firehouse spaces. “Most of the interaction among firefighters happens in the kitchen, especially now with individual sleeping rooms in many departments,” he says. “Most fire departments want their kitchens open to their day rooms to make it a free-flowing space.”

Jim Zwerg, architect and facilities manager for the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, says Phoenix firehouses don’t have open dorms anymore, so the main hangout for firefighters is the kitchen and dining area of the station. “At some of our stations, we’ve removed walls to make the kitchen, dining area, and day room all one open area because that’s where the socializing happens throughout the day,” Zwerg points out. “So, the kitchen and dining spaces are a primary point of interest in firehouse design.”

3 A heavy-duty pot rack, such as this one in a Phoenix Fire Department station kitchen, is a practical addition to hold an assortment of pots, pans, and skillets. [Photos 1-3 courtesy of Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department.]
3 A heavy-duty pot rack, such as this one in a Phoenix Fire Department station kitchen, is a practical addition to hold an assortment of pots, pans, and skillets. [Photos 1-3 courtesy of Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department.]

Design Considerations

Zwerg adds that the location of the kitchen is important. “You want

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Posted: Aug 1, 2016

Kitchens: Designed To Be "Heart" of the Fire Station

Kitchens: Designed To Be “Heart” of the Fire Station

The kitchen often serves as the heart of a fire station, a place where firefighters might congregate for a meal or after a call to grab some additional nourishment or hydration.

The design of firehouse kitchens varies around the country, from small, utilitarian kitchens to layouts that emulate well-appointed residential kitchens to areas that rival commercial kitchen designs.

1 The Phoenix Fire Department uses all stainless steel in its fire station kitchens, as is shown in this kitchen in Station 50.
1 The Phoenix Fire Department uses all stainless steel in its fire station kitchens, as is shown in this kitchen in Station 50.

Role of the Kitchen

Ken Newell, principal in Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects, observes that as the kitchen is the heart of a personal home, similarly firehouse kitchens serve the same role. “As architects, we consider the kitchen the heart of the firehouse, one of the most important spaces in the building,” Newell says. “When designing a new firehouse, we spend as much time talking about kitchens as any other area in the station and find a wide range of what firefighters consider important in a kitchen, depending on the type of department, from small volunteer fire companies to large career departments.”

2 Station 21 in the Phoenix Fire Department has a six-burner gas range with a single oven, all stainless steel counters and cabinetry, and polished concrete floor.
2 Station 21 in the Phoenix Fire Department has a six-burner gas range with a single oven, all stainless steel counters and cabinetry, and polished concrete floor.

Newell points out that the kitchen often becomes the social activity area in a fire station, followed by the day room and other firehouse spaces. “Most of the interaction among firefighters happens in the kitchen, especially now with individual sleeping rooms in many departments,” he says. “Most fire departments want their kitchens open to their day rooms to make it a free-flowing space.”

Jim Zwerg, architect and facilities manager for the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, says Phoenix firehouses don’t have open dorms anymore, so the main hangout for firefighters is the kitchen and dining area of the station. “At some of our stations, we’ve removed walls to make the kitchen, dining area, and day room all one open area because that’s where the socializing happens throughout the day,” Zwerg points out. “So, the kitchen and dining spaces are a primary point of interest in firehouse design.”

3 A heavy-duty pot rack, such as this one in a Phoenix Fire Department station kitchen, is a practical addition to hold an assortment of pots, pans, and skillets. [Photos 1-3 courtesy of Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department.]
3 A heavy-duty pot rack, such as this one in a Phoenix Fire Department station kitchen, is a practical addition to hold an assortment of pots, pans, and skillets. [Photos 1-3 courtesy of Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department.]

Design Considerations

Zwerg adds that the location of the kitchen is important. “You want

Read more
Posted: Aug 1, 2016

Kitchens: Designed To Be "Heart" of the Fire Station

Kitchens: Designed To Be “Heart” of the Fire Station

The kitchen often serves as the heart of a fire station, a place where firefighters might congregate for a meal or after a call to grab some additional nourishment or hydration.

The design of firehouse kitchens varies around the country, from small, utilitarian kitchens to layouts that emulate well-appointed residential kitchens to areas that rival commercial kitchen designs.

1 The Phoenix Fire Department uses all stainless steel in its fire station kitchens, as is shown in this kitchen in Station 50.
1 The Phoenix Fire Department uses all stainless steel in its fire station kitchens, as is shown in this kitchen in Station 50.

Role of the Kitchen

Ken Newell, principal in Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects, observes that as the kitchen is the heart of a personal home, similarly firehouse kitchens serve the same role. “As architects, we consider the kitchen the heart of the firehouse, one of the most important spaces in the building,” Newell says. “When designing a new firehouse, we spend as much time talking about kitchens as any other area in the station and find a wide range of what firefighters consider important in a kitchen, depending on the type of department, from small volunteer fire companies to large career departments.”

2 Station 21 in the Phoenix Fire Department has a six-burner gas range with a single oven, all stainless steel counters and cabinetry, and polished concrete floor.
2 Station 21 in the Phoenix Fire Department has a six-burner gas range with a single oven, all stainless steel counters and cabinetry, and polished concrete floor.

Newell points out that the kitchen often becomes the social activity area in a fire station, followed by the day room and other firehouse spaces. “Most of the interaction among firefighters happens in the kitchen, especially now with individual sleeping rooms in many departments,” he says. “Most fire departments want their kitchens open to their day rooms to make it a free-flowing space.”

Jim Zwerg, architect and facilities manager for the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, says Phoenix firehouses don’t have open dorms anymore, so the main hangout for firefighters is the kitchen and dining area of the station. “At some of our stations, we’ve removed walls to make the kitchen, dining area, and day room all one open area because that’s where the socializing happens throughout the day,” Zwerg points out. “So, the kitchen and dining spaces are a primary point of interest in firehouse design.”

3 A heavy-duty pot rack, such as this one in a Phoenix Fire Department station kitchen, is a practical addition to hold an assortment of pots, pans, and skillets. [Photos 1-3 courtesy of Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department.]
3 A heavy-duty pot rack, such as this one in a Phoenix Fire Department station kitchen, is a practical addition to hold an assortment of pots, pans, and skillets. [Photos 1-3 courtesy of Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department.]

Design Considerations

Zwerg adds that the location of the kitchen is important. “You want

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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