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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: Mar 24, 2016

FDSOA to Receive 2016 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award

The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) have selected the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) as the recipient of the 2016 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award.

The award will be presented at the 28th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on May 5, 2016 in Washington, DC. Named after retired-Senator Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland, a strong advocate for our nation's firefighters and rescue personnel during his 36-year career in Congress, the award recognizes organizations for their outstanding contributions to firefighter health and safety. State Farm Insurance and VFIS serve as the corporate supporters of the award program.

Established in 1989, FDSOA is being recognized for its work to promote safety standards and practices in the fire, rescue, and emergency services community. For 28 years, FDSOA has sponsored the Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium that has brought together manufacturers, fire officers, and emergency vehicle technicians. The results of these forums have contributed to significant improvements in apparatus safety performance.

Under new leadership, FDSOA recently completed a revision of its education and certification programs for Incident Safety Officers (ISO) to reflect current best practices for ISOs. These revisions exceed the Job Performance Requirements of the completely rewritten edition of NFPA 1521: Standard for Fire Department Incident Safety Officers Professional Qualifications.

CFSI President Bill Jenaway and NFFF Chairman Dennis Compton issued a joint statement recognizing FDSOA for its work. "Through partnerships, leadership and dedication, FDSOA recommitted itself to its core mission of education. They are developing new programs and enhancing existing programs that are providing essential training to safety officers. FDSOA is truly committed to the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives, and that is reflected in its work. Our two organizations look forward to honoring the Fire Department Safety Officers Association on May 5th."

Please click here for additional information about the 28th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars Program. Approximately 2,000 fire and emergency services leaders throughout the nation are expected to attend the annual program. In addition to the dinner and seminars, attendees will schedule meetings with their members of Congress to discuss important fire and life safety issues.

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Posted: Mar 24, 2016

Fire Truck Photo of the Day-Custom Fab & Body Pumper

Greater Round Lake (IL) Fire Protection District, pumper. Spartan Metro Star cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,250-gpm pump.

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Posted: Mar 23, 2016

Lawmakers Consider Tax to Boost Ambulance Reimbursements

The House Ways and Means Committee is considering adding a new tax to its revenue bill in order to pay ambulance services more money. The committee, which writes taxes for the Legislature, took testimony Friday on a proposal to impose a 3.3 percent tax on all of Vermont's 79 ambulance providers.
The committee, which writes taxes for the Legislature, took testimony Friday on a proposal to impose a 3.3 percent tax on all of Vermont’s 79 ambulance providers. It would be assessed on their revenue from patient care.

Under the current plan, the Department of Vermont Health Access, which acts like an insurance company that facilitates Vermont’s Medicaid program, would collect about $1.2 million from the ambulance providers, according to estimates from the Joint Fiscal Office.

The state would use the revenue to draw down federal money to roughly double that amount. The Department of Vermont Health Access would then use the revenue to increase how much Vermont’s Medicaid program pays ambulance providers for treating Medicaid patients.

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Posted: Mar 23, 2016

Manatee County Ambulance to Cut Response Times

As a way to address the growth and increased call volume in north county, Manatee County Emergency Medical Servces is adding an ambulance in Parrish.
The ambulance will be the first new 24-hour ambulance added in about eight years, and is the county's 19th full-time transport ambulance.

"We are still on track to open the truck," Manatee County Public Safety Director Bob Smith said Wednesday.

County commissioners authorized the execution of the shared facilities agreement this week with the Parrish Fire District. The agreement, which still needs to be approved by the Parrish Fire District Commission, will allow EMS to share space within the fire department.

Parrish Fire Department Chief Michael Johnson said there is a lot of community support for the Parrish ambulance.

The new ambulance and related equipment cost $417,785, which is being paid by public safety impact fees. The personnel and operating expenses for the ambulance this year will cost approximately $263,000, which will be paid for by the ambulance charges. For the following full year, it will cost $526,030.

The fire commission is set to take action on the agreement during its April 26 meeting, which begins at 5 p.m. at the fire district, 12132 U.S. 301 North, Parrish.

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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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