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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 29, 2016

Sewage Gas Leak Shuts Down Claremore Fire Station

For the third time in about a year, a Claremore fire station has closed down. The first time was a hazmat issue. The second time was mold. Now, Claremore firefighters say the smell was so bad inside the station, they couldn't even work there.

The firefighters are back at station three, after sewage gas leaked in the station.

“Over the last few weeks, our personnel started to notice a sewer odor in the building,” said Chief Sean Douglas. “It came on pretty sudden on a Friday afternoon."

The smell was so strong, firefighters moved to station one.

Chief Douglas says plumbers have found multiple possible sources of the leak, but the main one appears to be an abandoned sewer vent pipe.

"Years ago when they put the generator in, they damaged the pipe somehow and they did a temporary patch," explained Douglas.

That's now been capped off and smell is gone, but firefighters say it's not the first time the smell has disappeared only to come back again.

"It's been a sporadic deal,” stated the chief. “We are trying to address it and get it taken care of."

Last year, we told you about an unknown substance found in the ditch by the station, which forced firefighters out.

During that time, mold was found inside, and remediation took six months.

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Posted: Jul 29, 2016

Grant Helps Sharon with Fire Station

It may seem like a simple, square metal building to some. But for the volunteer firefighters of the Sharon Volunteer Fire Department, it is might as well be the new fire digs in Woodward.

And they might not be as far along in its construction were it not for about $12,000 in Oklahoma Forestry Services grant money the department qualified for last year, said Sharon Fire Chief Bill Philips.

“We were building this new station last year and that money really helped,” he said. “This year we plan to apply again because we have not insulated it yet or wired it for electricity yet and so whatever we get this year could be a help.”

This week, the Oklahoma Forestry Service sent out a notice to remind small rural departments that there is a chance they could qualify for money that could purchase new equipment or help them refurbish equipment that needs repair.

 According to a release, any departments in communities with populations less than 10,000 can apply  for 2016 Rural Fire Defense 80/20 Grants, which provide for equipment purchases and fire station construction. Fire chiefs should apply through Oklahoma Forestry Services by Sept 1.

Volunteer firefighters serving small communities account for more than 69 percent of personnel working to douse fires across the state of Oklahoma.

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Posted: Jul 29, 2016

Corsica's New Ambulance

In May 2015, the Douglas County community of Corsica bought a brand new ambulance. It was very much needed as the old one was on the verge of breaking down. The community stepped up in an overwhelming fashion raising $65,000.

They say benefits of this new ambulance are seemingly endless.

"With this one, we haven't had problems. Starts, gets us there, to the hospital. It's just been a dream," Corsica Ambulance Driver and EMT Pat Dockendorf said.

It's not only making their job more efficient but also a little easier.

"The 'lift' system allows us to lower/raise the cot without having to do manual lifting. The system where it locks in and slides into the back of the ambulance," Dockendorf said.

Something that wouldn't be without a lot of support.

"The whole community, surrounding, came backed us. It was unbelievable. People were lined up for food and the donations were phenomenal," Corsica EMT Kathy Zomer said.

"When we step in the ambulance when we get a call, we feel proud and prideful of what we have accomplished," Barse said.

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Posted: Jul 29, 2016

Miami Valley Antique Fire Apparatus Association

By Pamela Dillon Contributing Writer Boys never outgrow their love for red firetrucks. That is quite evident when you see the number of males of all ages who attended the 20th Annual Antique Fire Apparatus Show at Veterans Memorial Park in Germantown on Saturday, July 9.

There are 81 current members of the MVAFAA; about 35 of them were showing off their antique firetrucks that day.

Another MVAFAA member, Bob McClain of Germantown, had organized the show the first 19 years with his wife, Rachel. They were at the festival showing off their 1950 GMC/Young mini-pumper, and 1953 Lyman Fire Boat. A 1968 American LaFrance that he and his son, Matt, restored, had been recently sold for $13,000 to a buyer in Massachusetts.

“The LaFrance is the cadillac of firetrucks. I first became interested in antique fire trucks when my son was a volunteer firefighter in Germantown. We bought this firetruck together many years ago as a project,” said McClain, MVAFAA past president and current treasurer. “I also transformed a Lyman boat made in Sandusky into a fireboat by adding a siren light and deck gun.”

They initially bought the LaFrance for $3,500; it needed a lot of new parts and sweat equity to bring it to its current great condition. M. McClain moved up in his firefighting career, eventually working full-time in Dayton for 15 years before being promoted to captain of the second platoon.

“I like working in the big city; we keep busy and average a good-sized fire a day,” said McClain, MVAFAA vice-president who was at the show with his 6-year-old son, Brigham. “I sold the LaFrance because my wife, Trisha, and I just had a new baby girl, Cambri. It’s time for a new adventure.”

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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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