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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: Apr 11, 2016

KME Fire Apparatus Manufacturer Bought by Florida Company

A well-known fire truck manufacturer will soon be under new ownership. KME Fire and Rescue, located in Nesquehoning, Carbon County, is being bought by Orlando, Florida-based The Rev Group. KME owner John Kovatch said no jobs will be lost with this purchase.
The KME name will not change. The deal has been in the works since September and could be finalized as early as Friday. Employees were told Monday morning. KME builds heavy duty vehicles: fire trucks, garbage trucks and even some vehicles for the military.
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Posted: Apr 11, 2016

Lake Harbor (MS) Fire Apparatus at Fault in Wreck that Killed Child

A fire truck is to blame for an April 3 wreck that killed a 10-year-old boy, according to a report released Monday by the Mississippi Highway Patrol. 

A Ford Escape was traveling south on Mississippi 43 and a Lake Harbor fire truck was traveling east from Carter Store Road, attempting to cross over to the southbound lanes of Mississippi 43 when the vehicles collided in the southbound lane, MHP said.
The fire truck failed to yield the right of way to the Escape, MHP’s investigation determined.

Higuillermo Monetreo was killed and his mother, 4-month-old brother and 4-year-old sister were seriously injured, MHP said. The boy’s father, Hernan Perez, was driving the SUV. He, too was injured, authorities said.

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Posted: Apr 11, 2016

Pierce to Display 18 Fire and Emergency Apparatus at FDIC International 2016

Pierce Manufacturing will display a total of 18 fire and emergency apparatus at FDIC 2016.

APPLETON, Wis. (April 11, 2016) – Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) Company and the leading North American manufacturer of fire and emergency vehicles, will display a total of 18 fire and emergency apparatus – and demonstrate new technologies – during the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) Exhibition in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 21-23, 2016. In addition, Pierce will sponsor and host the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb inside Lucas Oil Stadium (LOS).

“Pierce continues to lead the industry because of the performance, quality, advanced technologies, and unmatched support we deliver to our customers each and every day,” said Matt McLeish, Pierce Manufacturing vice president of sales and marketing. “We’re laser-focused on building the best fire trucks for our customers, and are proud of each of the 18 unique and innovative apparatus on display. Having such a wide range of vehicles at FDIC – together with over 400 individuals representing Pierce and our dealer network – is what truly sets us apart.”

Pierce maintains its central hub location at the entrance of LOS where, this year, it will feature 11 vehicles, including a wide range of pumper, aerial, and rescue apparatus. The company will hold a presentation at LOS on Thursday, April 21 at 1:00 pm EDT to introduce the vehicles and technologies on hand.  A second Pierce booth, showcasing five apparatus, will be located at stand #5521 in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Two additional apparatus will be on display outdoors between the convention center and stadium.

Other highlights at the Pierce booth will include all-new configurations of the Pierce® Ascendant™ 107-foot heavy-duty ladder (built on a single rear axle chassis) including the PUC™ pump, Texas Chute Out body (side stack hosebed), and a no pump / no tank body. Pierce sales and product development experts will be on hand to gather firefighter feedback on these expanded offerings. Available on a wide range of Pierce custom chassis, the Pierce Ascendant has garnered high praise from the industry and more than 60 orders in less than a year, making it the most popular new aerial apparatus product offering in the history of Pierce. In addition, Pierce engineers will be on hand to conduct live demonstrations, and gather firefighter feedback on Pierce’s new Command Zone™ advanced electronics and controls system.

Held to honor America’s fallen firefighters, this year’s NFFF 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb’s starting line as well as the traditional bell ringing at the finish line will take place in the Pierce booth.  Photos of the Stair Climb finishers will be uploaded to the Pierce Facebook page, and each “like” or “share” will result in a $1 donation to the NFFF up to $10,000. Visit Pierce social media outlets for more details, and visit the NFFF website to register for the climb.

About Pierce Manufacturing

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus, including custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. Pierce markets its products through the industry’s largest and most comprehensive dealer and service network. The company enjoys a nationwide web of dealerships with over 600 certified and factory trained Service Brigade technicians and over 50 service centers. Visit www.piercemfg.com to le

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Posted: Apr 11, 2016

REV Group, Inc. Acquires KME

(April 11, 2016) - REV Group, Inc. (“REV Group”), a leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles for commercial, fire & emergency and recreation markets, announced today the acquisition of Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (“KME” or the “Company”).

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, KME has grown to over 800 associates with company operations in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, and California.  The Company produces a broad portfolio of high quality and customized specialty vehicle products, and markets them to fire-rescue, military, aviation, and industrial customers globally.  KME’s products include fire apparatus (pumpers, aerials, tankers), rescue vehicles, and fuel trucks, among others.

“Over a span of 70 years, our family and company associates have proudly served our customers,” stated John Kovatch III, President & CEO of KME.  “We are very proud of what our employees have accomplished over that time span and thank them for their hard work and dedication to outstanding customer service.  REV Group has great expertise in the specialty vehicle industry and we look forward to even further growth with them in the years ahead,” he added.

Concurrent with the transaction close, John Kovatch III will be leaving his position as KME’s President & CEO, however he will play an integral role during the transition phase as KME becomes part of the REV group.  John will interact directly with Tim Sullivan, REV’s Group CEO. 

The Company headquarters and its primary manufacturing operations will remain in Nesquehoning, PA. This facility along with other KME facilities in Roanoke, VA; Ontario, CA; Albany, NY; and Rockaway, NJ will continue to be an integral part of their operations. KME also has an extensive independent dealer network that will continue promoting and selling the KME brand and product portfolio worldwide.

 “We are extremely excited to have KME join REV Group,” stated Tim Sullivan, CEO.  “KME brings a tremendous brand, a talented group of employees and a world class product portfolio that adds to our capabilities to better serve our customers’ and dealers’ needs throughout the country,” he added.  “Additionally, John’s breadth of industry experience will be very beneficial after the acquisition and I look forward to working with him.  We congratulate him on his leadership over the past several decades which has resulted in the outstanding business that exists today,” Sullivan concluded.  

The transaction is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2016.

About REV Group, Inc.

REV Group, Inc. is an approximately $2 billion sales manufacturer of industry-leading specialty vehicles serving multiple markets.  Within the commercial division, REV offers a full line of buses, terminal trucks, sweepers, and mobility conversion vehicles.  The fire & emergency division offers a complete line of fire apparatus and ambulance vehicles.  Within the recreation vehicle division, the company produces motorized RVs under several of the industry’s most iconic brands.  For more information about REV visit www.REVgroup.com

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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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