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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: Jul 13, 2016

Madison County (TN) First-Ever Ladder Fire Apparatus

The Madison County Fire Department recently purchased its first ladder truck, according to Chief Eric Turner. "It's a late '80s model truck," Turner said. "We are fortunate enough it's got 20,000 to 21,000 miles on it." The ladder stretches 80 feet, allowing crews to put out fires from above.
The ladder stretches 80 feet, allowing crews to put out fires from above. “There’s buildings built now within the county that we can’t reach with ground ladders, reach the roof of them,” Turner said.

Turner said it also allows firefighters to rescue people in hard-to-reach places quicker and safer.

The fire chief said a new ladder truck typically costs about $1 million. Turner said they purchased the ladder truck for about $30,000. “Last year, we were fortunate enough to get a few new trucks, and that allowed us to get rid of some older trucks and we took that money and kind of pulled it together to be able to purchase this truck,” he said.

Turner said they were able to purchase the truck from the Covington Fire Department at a discounted price because that department got grant money for a new truck.

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Posted: Jul 13, 2016

Arlington (VA) Board Still Wrestling with Fire-Station Decision

Seemingly divided Arlington County Board members on July 12 continued to grasp for consensus on the future of Fire Station #8, hoping to come to a conclusion before departing on a summer recess next week.
A majority of board members may be ready to side with the community, but the situation remains fluid and the most vocal board member on the subject – Chairman Libby Garvey – is in favor of relocation. Garvey said statistics are clear: A move from the fire station’s current location on Lee Highway to a site at 26th Street North and Old Dominion Drive would provide quicker response times to residential areas in far northwest Arlington.

Board members are slated to make a decision on the final location on July 19. Funds for planning and designing the new facility are slated to be included in a Nov. 8 bond referendum, with construction funds slated for inclusion in a 2018 bond referendum.

A task force set up last year by the County Board came in with its report in late May, with a majority of members in favor of keeping the station where it is. That was a victory for many residents of the Halls Hill/High View Park community, who want the station retained in their midst to honor African-American firefighters who served the community during the segregation era, and to provide rapid response to calls for service.

While the task force disagreed with county staff on the location, all sides appear to agree that a new station needs to have four service bays, compared to two at the current station. In either location, such a station would cost about $14 million, according to current estimates.

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Posted: Jul 13, 2016

Beloit (IL) Adds Two New Fire Apparatus

The Beloit Fire Department initiates two new fire trucks for service in their traditional wet-down push-back ceremony. The ritual, which dates back to the late 1800's, involves soaking the new rigs with water and pushing them backward into the station garage.
The trucks cost $408,000 each and have the most up-to-date equipment and operating systems for both efficiency and safety.

The two new trucks replace two old ones. Those trucks will be serviced and then shipped to third world countries for firefighter use for those that wouldn’t be able to afford the equipment.

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Posted: Jul 13, 2016

Athens (PA) Fire Apparatus Now in Service

The Athens Borough Fire Department recently placed into service a 1996 Pierce fire engine purchased for $30,000 earlier this year from the Troy Fire Department. The engine replaces a 1989 model donated by Joe Polzella in 2012. The Athens Borough Council voted Monday to donate that engine back to Polzella.
Firefighters say the new engine — which can pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute — will primarily provide assistance to neighboring townships when needed.
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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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