Washington Fire Chiefs > Sections

HomeExpand
- WFCExpoExpand
MembersExpand
- Fire Service DirectoryExpand
  - Associate MembersExpand
  - County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- NPPGOV Member ProgramExpand
- IAFC ForumExpand
About UsExpand
- WFC BoardExpand
- MembershipExpand
  - Department MembershipExpand
  - Affiliate MembershipExpand
  - Bugle MembershipExpand
- Contact UsExpand
NewsExpand
CalendarExpand
ResourcesExpand
- Legislative ResourcesExpand
- Job AnnouncementsExpand
- Classified AdsExpand
- EVIP InformationExpand
- WFC BookstoreExpand
- LODD ResourcesExpand
- Memorial WallExpand
- Safety CalendarExpand
- LinksExpand
- Volunteer ResourcesExpand
- Timeloss ResourcesExpand
- RFA Implementation GuideExpand
- COVID-19 ResourcesExpand
- WFC MagazineExpand
DocumentsExpand
- Association DocumentsExpand
  - Bylaws & PoliciesExpand
  - FormsExpand
  - Position PapersExpand
  - Minutes & Board BooksExpand
- Chief DocumentsExpand
  - State Chiefs RatesExpand
  - GEMT DocumentsExpand
  - NFIRS Annual ReportsExpand
  - Model PoliciesExpand
  - Training DocumentsExpand
- Legislative DocumentsExpand
- Event PresentationsExpand
- EMS Section DocumentsExpand
- Fire Administrative Support Section DocumentsExpand
- Fire Mechanics Section DocumentsExpand
- Fire Training Safety and Officers Section DocumentsExpand
- Public Fire Educators Section DocumentsExpand
SectionsExpand
- Emergency Medical ServicesExpand
- Fire Administrative SupportExpand
  - DocumentsExpand
  - Discussion Forum & RFI'sExpand
  - Member DirectoryExpand
  - MerchandiseExpand
  - Photo GalleryExpand
- Fire MechanicsExpand
  - Photo GalleryExpand
  - Training & TestingExpand
  - EVT Discussion ForumExpand
  - ScholarshipExpand
  - Award NominationExpand
- Fire Training Safety and OfficersExpand
  - Firefighter ProgramExpand
  - ScholarshipExpand
  - Photo GalleryExpand
- Public Fire EducatorsExpand
- HazMat CommitteeExpand
County Fire ChiefsExpand
- King County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- Pierce County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- Snohomish County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
- Thurston County Fire Chiefs AssociationExpand
FRWCExpand
WSAFMExpand

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

Tam Valley Welcomes New Engine to Southern Marin Fire Fleet

Posted: Mar 7, 2016

Tam Valley Welcomes New Engine to Southern Marin Fire Fleet

A row of children, some in firefighter gear, squared off with a brand new 35,000-pound fire engine on Saturday morning, awaiting the signal to charge. "All right," said Adam Vollmer, fire engineer of the Southern Marin Fire Protection District. "I'm going to need everyone to help me push."

Children of all ages and their families joined Southern Marin firefighters in welcoming Engine 4 to the fleet, pushing the truck backwards into the Tam Valley neighborhood firehouse to end the ceremonial tradition.

Standing at about 10-feet tall, the new Type 1 fire engine is a custom-made, tricked-out, bright red firefighting machine. The engine, manufactured by Pierce, features a 500 gallon water tank, a 15 gallon foam tank and a 1,500 gallon per minute water pump.

Tubbs said the new truck, which cost just shy of $600,000, offers new technology, comfort and safety for the firefighters, including a roll-cage design and other features.

The truck also has what are called quick-attack hoses, made for easy access in emergencies — one situated on the vehicle’s side and another on the bumper. And the LED ribbon lighting that framed the exterior compartments lit the truck like a Christmas tree.

Burglars Steal Rescue Equipment from Lemon Cove Fire Station

It's not something you hear about everyday: the people who protect and serve our communities becoming victims of a crime. The Lemon Cove Fire Department in Tulare County was burglarized. The thieves got away with thousands of dollars worth of equipment..

Firefighters say they were out doing a training when burglars cut through the fence and stole rescue equipment from one of their fire trucks.

Now only two fire trucks are ready to use in case of an emergency at the station off highway 198.

The third one was moved to a different location after thieves broke into it sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

"Unknown suspects gained entry into a fire truck that contained a jaws of life kit," said Lieutenant. John Weeller, Tulare County Sheriff's Office.

The equipment was taken from the truck they at the back of the station parking lot.

The jaws of life kit cost 18,000 thousand dollars when it was purchased 7 years ago.

"But the cost of that to replace it this day and age is between $25,000 and 30,000," said Charlie Norman, Fire Chief.

A New Fire Truck Gets A New Home

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) -- A new fire truck is getting a new home at the District 5 Oktibbeha County Fire Department. The newly fire truck was on seen Saturday at the District 5 Oktibbeha County Fire Department Saturday. The truck cost over two hundred thousand dollars and has a three thousand gallon pumping capacity.

Congressman Gregg Harper was also there on Saturday and he says that this is a great edition for the Fire Department.

“This is a great thing that the A-F-G grant has provided this firetruck for District 5 of Oktibbeha County. This is a great edition of what we are doing an a way to show that sometimes we think grants don’t work. Well this is an example where it does work,” said District Three Republican Congressman Gregg Harper.

Harper also tells us that they have already seen a reduction in the rating of fire insurance.

Cantankerous Wisdom: Fire Truck Amp Reports and Tailboards

By Bill Adams

Have you ever read a set of specifications and thought you understood all its requirements? Then a light comes on and you go back and reread a sentence and ask yourself what the heck do they really want? And why do they want it? It happens when you get older.

This is an exact statement from a set of purchasing specifications: “The bidder shall provide with their bid proposal and at the time of delivery, an itemized printout of the expected amp draw of the entire vehicle’s electrical system.” Why would an expected (means the same as estimated) amp draw report be required at the time of delivery? It could be same estimate submitted with the proposal! I believe the specs meant to say an expected amp draw printout is to be provided with the proposal and an actual amp draw test report is to be provided at the time of delivery. That’s not what was written.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, sentence 4.20.1 (1) (j) requires, at time of delivery, documentation of “electrical system voltage and alternator output in amps.” Sentence 4.20.1 (4) requires written load analysis of the electrical system performance tests” described in 13.14.1 and 13.15. Refer to NFPA 1901 for the nitty-gritty test details. To be compliant, a fire apparatus manufacturer has to supply the documentation—even if the purchaser does not specifically request it. The documentation is very important. If the electrical system fails, so may the fire apparatus.

What is NOT required by NFPA 1901 is providing the estimated amp draw with the proposal. I can’t even find where the NFPA recommends it. If one is wanted, it must be written in the purchasing specs. Is the estimate important? A written load analysis ensures bidders are proposing an alternator of sufficient capacity—that they have done their homework. How would a fire department ascertain what size alternator to specify? Does it blindly believe what a favored vendor tells it? If the fire department thinks it may have one of its own qualified enough to estimate the amperage draw for a new rig, I have a few words of advice: “One of the most difficult things for the average man to master in the operation of a piece of motor fire apparatus or a commercial truck is the electrical system.” They were written in Fire and Water Engineering by Charles B. Hayward in a piece titled Motor Fire Apparatus—a Simple Outline of its Construction and Maintenance. By the way, it was written in the September 17, 1919 issue. I have little knowledge of electrical systems but I bet they’re a lot more complicated today than they were in 1919. For a more recent dissertation about amps, alternators, and batteries on fire apparatus electrical systems, check "Battery Management for Emergency Response Vehicles" by Christian Koop.

In speaking of apparatus electrical systems, NFPA 1901’s Appendix, sentence A.13.14.1 states: “The purchaser might wish to have the entire low-voltage electrical system and warning-device system certified by an independent third-party certification organization.” I wonder why.

In speaking of wondering why, did you ever wonder who the inconsiderate son-of-a-gun was who eliminated the Read more