Menu

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

Posted: Apr 22, 2016

IMMI's RollTek Turns a Potentially Fatal Crash into a Walk-Away Event

IMMI invented RollTek, the advanced side-roll air bag protection system to keep firefighters, soldiers, truckers, and paramedics safer in the worst kind of crash–-a rollover. RollTek is custom engineered for each industry and has been extensively CAPE Tested to help turn what could be a fatal crash into a walk-away event.

 

RollTek for Heavy Trucks, Military, and Fire Apparatus

A vehicle can overturn in an instant, that’s why RollTek deploys in a quarter of a second.

HOW IT WORKS

A roll sensor monitors the truck’s position, and when a rollover is detected, up to three RollTek components are deployed per seating position

  • Seat pretensioners keep the driver or front seat passenger securely in their seats.
  • Suspension seats lower to increase survivable space in the cab.
  • Side airbags deploy to cushion the head and neck.

 

RollTek for Ambulance

RollTek, also available in the ambulance industry, deploys side airbags in a rollover to greatly reduce the potential for death or serious injury to EMS personnel riding in the patient compartment.

HOW IT WORKS

  • A roll sensor inside the vehicle continuously monitors ambulance stability
  • When a rollover is detected, the system deploys side airbags in all the seating positions where RollTek is utilized
  • Heads and necks of EMS personnel riding in the patient compartment are cushioned

Have questions? Contact On-Highway Sales & Service Manager Steve Lovelady at slovelady@imminet.com or call (317) 896-8531.

 

 

Read more
Posted: Apr 22, 2016

Hendrickson Launches ULTIMAAX® Advanced Severe-Duty Rubber Suspension and STEERTEK NXT Fabricated Front Steer Axle

WOODRIDGE, IL (April 22, 2016) – Hendrickson Fire and Rescue officials announce the introduction of ULTIMAAX®, the next generation in rear tandem rubber suspensions, along with STEERTEK NXT fabricated front steer axle platform.

ULTIMAAX was designed specifically for severe-duty applications, tailored to the fire and rescue market. With durability being its cornerstone feature, “ULTIMAAX has truly raised the bar for durability, making it the ultimate in rubber suspension technology,” says Chris Batsch, director of Fire and Rescue at Hendrickson.  

In addition to its excellent durability, ULTIMAAX® delivers enhanced stability, handling and ride quality. The integration of Hendrickson’s proven walking (equalizing) beam technology with its patented progressive load spring provides a balance of loaded stability and unloaded ride quality.  As load increases, the progressive load spring engages and the ride and stability characteristics of the suspension change to meet the application’s needs without an abrupt change in ride quality.  This superior ride translates to reduced road shock and vibration to the vehicle, which contributes to longer service life of the cab, chassis and body equipment.

ULTIMAAX optimizes weight without sacrificing durability, resulting in a product that is hundreds of pounds lighter than competitive suspension systems and saving weight for other crucial components.  Available in capacities of 48,000 to 65,000 pounds, ULTIMAAX is the high capacity rubber suspension solution for the fire and rescue market.

STEERTEK NXT is now available in capacities from 16,000 to 24,000 pounds, expanding Hendrickson’s portfolio of front steer axle solutions.  While the Hendrickson axle platform is new to the fire and rescue market, Hendrickson’s STEERTEK fabricated axle technology has been proven in on-highway applications for 15 years.  Hendrickson’s proprietary manufacturing process achieves durability, rigid strength and weight efficiency.  Compared with traditional forged I-beam axles, STEERTEK NXT’s box-shaped cross section more effectively resists horizontal, vertical and twisting forces and provides up to 40 pounds of weight savings.  The innovative design easily integrates with a variety of suspension configurations, including integrated solutions with Hendrickson bushings and springs for optimized system performance.

For additional information on ULTIMAAX® or STEERTEK NXT, please contact Hendrickson Fire and Rescue at 1-866-755-5968 or www.hendrickson-fire.com.

Hendrickson, a Boler company, is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of heavy-duty mechanical, elastomeric and air suspensions; integrated and non-integrated axle systems; parabolic and multi-leaf springs; and bumper and trim components to the global commercial transportation industry. Hendrickson, based in Itasca, Ill., USA, continues to meet the needs
of the transportation industry after 100 years. Visit the Hendrickson Web site at www.hendrickson-intl.com.

Read more
Posted: Apr 22, 2016

Coxreels Offers a Variety of Stainless Steel

Coxreels is pleased to offer various stainless steel grade choices to our customers, ideally servicing exact specification needs. Coxreels offers complete stainless steel reels and powder-coated steel reels with stainless steel fluid paths. Now customers can choose between 316 and 304 grade stainless steels for their fluid paths on many reel types to best match the necessary corrosion resistance of their reel according to the application. Coxreels stainless steel reel spools and frames will remain 302/304 grade stainless and are optionally available in an electro-polished finish for additional corrosion resistance.

302/304 and 316 are the two primary stainless steel types used in the reel industry. With inherent metallurgical differences, each category offers different levels of corrosion protection and cost. The 302/304 are the most commonly used stainless steels and are found in most applications where corrosion resistant steel is required such as food and beverage, sanitation, dairy, pharma, appliances and sinks. 316 grade stainless steel is commonly considered the most corrosion resistance of the stainless steel grades and can be up to 4X more resistant to corrosion than 302/304.

Selecting the proper stainless grade for the application is important to balance the cost vs needed corrosion resistance. 316 is usually recommended for marine applications, some acidic fluids, chemicals that end in “ine” such as chlorine, bromine, etc, and is also often specified when long lasting appearance is desired. Regardless of your specific application, Coxreels has the stainless material to meet your needs.

Coxreels® has remained steadfast and focused on manufacturing high quality, industrial grade hose, cord, and cable reels with leading industry innovation since 1923. Offering a full product line serving the industry in every channel and application, Coxreels® takes great pride in designing, building, and supporting each and every product made exclusively in the U.S.A.

Coxreels offers both grades in several of the larger series. Most series have a default standard which can be altered through the custom reel (CP) process. For further information on the Coxreels® stainless steel product line, contact Customer Service at (800) 269‐7335 or visit www.coxreels.com.

Read more
Posted: Apr 22, 2016

Globe Brings ATHLETIX™ Turnout Gear to FDIC International 2016

Fire Apparatus Chris Mc Loone tries on the new Globe gear.

At FDIC International 2016, Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Editor Chris Mc Loone had a chance to demo Glob’s new ATHLETIX™ turnout gear. The turnout coat and bunker pants are contructed of TenCate KOMBAT™ STRETCH PBI®/KEVLAR® fabric, NOMEX® NANO thermal barrier material, 3M SCOTCHLITE™ COMFORT TRIM reflective material and CROSSTECH™ BLACK moisture barrier.

According to Rob Freese, senior vice president, marketing, the company started work on the ATHLETIX project three years ago and went to customers at all levels: chiefs, station house officers, line firefighters, distributors, purchasing folks and asked them three questions:

1.       What do you like?

2.       What do you not like?

3.       What would you change if you could?

“Those questions lead to all sorts of insights into how fire departments and firefighters are thinking about their job and the evolution of how they fight fire.” says Freese. After asking those three questions, Freese says that the company received 20,000 inputs that Globe distilled into eight distinct categories “Out of those categories, we learned things that fire departments are looking to incorporate in the next generation of gear.”

Globe is preparing to ramp up production on ATHLETIX once it receives its final certifications, at which point, the new turnout gear will become commercially available. Globe’s booth (#2522) is located in Hall D at the Indiana Convention Center.

More: www.globeturnoutgear.com.

Read more
RSS
First42164217421842194221422342244225Last

Theme picker

Upcoming Events

Theme picker

Sponsors

Fire Mechanics Section Board

Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Chair

Elliot Courage
North Whatcom Fire & Rescue
Read more

Vice Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Vice Chair

Mike Smith 
Pierce County Fire District #5
Read more

Secretary

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Secretary

Greg Bach
South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue
Read more

Director #1

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #1

Doug Jones
South Kitsap Fire & Rescue
Read more

Director #2

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #2

Paul Spencer 
Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC
Read more

Director #3

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #3

Jim Morris
Mountain View Fire Department
Read more

Director #4

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #4

Arnie Kuchta

Clark County Fire District 6

Read more

Director #6

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #6

Brett Annear
Kitsap County Fire District 18
Read more

Director #5

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #5

Jay Jacks
Camano Island Fire & Rescue
Read more

Legislative Representative

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Legislative Representative

TBD
TBD
Read more

Immediate Past Chair

Posted: Oct 20, 2015

Immediate Past Chair

Brian Fortner
Graham Fire & Rescue

Read more
RSS

Theme picker

2020 CAR SHOW