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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: Apr 4, 2016

Cantankerous Wisdom: Deck Lights and Work Lights

By Bill Adams

The purchasing specifications (specs) under the heading DECK LIGHTS/WORK LIGHTS said: “One (1) 6-inch Unity model AG chrome plated deck light shall be mounted on each rear stanchion. Each shall be controlled by a switch mounted on the light, as well as by a single master switch in the master warning switch console. The deck lights shall also serve as rear work lights to illuminate the rear of the apparatus to meet NFPA 1901 requirements.” It seems pretty much straight and forward—a cab dash switch powers the Unity’s which have individual on/off switches. Usually purchasers specify a flood lamp in one light and a spot lamp in the other. No big problem. I checked Unity’s Web site. That was a mistake. Unity offers halogen lamps in flood, spot, and combination flood/spot configurations. They also have LED spot lamps in two-degree and eight-degree configurations. The specs were confusing; the resolution was more so.

I broached the topic at coffee the following morning. That was another mistake. The raisin squad beat the subject to death. After four cups we couldn’t even agree on what the difference was between deck lights and work lights. So, I checked the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. I’m sorry I did. There are different requirements for rear work area ground lighting, hosebed lighting, and ground lighting at points of access and egress from riding positions. Deck lights aren’t mentioned. Who’da thought?

Sentence 13.10.1.1—Rear Work Area states that the work area behind the rig must be illuminated to a level of 30 lx within a 10- x 10-foot area. Sentence 13.10.1.2 says areas designed for personnel to climb onto or descend from the apparatus have to be illuminated to a level of 20 lx within 30 inches from the edge of the rig. Why are the areas by the cab doors illuminated less than at the rear of the rig? Is it less hazardous getting out of the cab? 

Apparatus at the transverse crosslay and speedlay areas only have to be illuminated to the 20-lx level for 30 inches compared to 30 lx for ten feet at the rear. Crosslays and speedlay beds are usually six feet in length. You’ll be well lit (with light) for 30 inches; the rest of the way from the rig, you’re on your own. Watch your step.

Sentence 13.10.1.3 says lighting under cab door exits “shall be switchable but activated automatically when the exit doors are opened.” I agree with automatic door-activated lights; that makes sense. I don’t agree with the requirement they “shall be” switchable. Why do they have to be? The next sentence says all other ground area lighting “shall be” switchable. I interpret it meaning that it isn’t that important to have ground lighting on “all the time” at the rear of the fire truck. How come? Ditto for the ground areas on the sides where personnel may have to climb on and off running boards to deploy and repack crosslays and speedlays. That’s where a lot of work is being done and sometimes done in a hurry. The NFPA will make sure the lights are on when you get out of the cab but you’re on your own when you pull the crosslays. Don’t forget to manually turn the lights on. Hope you’re not in a rush.

Sentence 13.10.2—Hose Bed Lighting requires the same level of lighting in the bed as the ground lighting at the rear of the apparatus. I hav

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Posted: Apr 4, 2016

Voters to Decide on Fire Equipment Upgrades in Cooper County

COOPER COUNTY, Mo. - The Cooper County Fire Protection District is asking residents to vote 'Yes' on a more than $1.9 million dollar bond issue on the upcoming April ballot. Chief David Gehm said a majority of the money would go toward building two new fire stations near Bunceton and Lone Elm.

This would put a station within five miles of every home in Cooper County.

"We need to protect our citizens and the people passing through our community, but we have to do it safely."

Gehm said there are three trucks that are more than 40 years old that are becoming dangerous to drive.

"The biggest issue with our old engines is they don't start when they need to start," he said. "We have surplus engines, but it takes time to go get them. That's a possible delay that may make the difference between life and death."

Division Chief Ryan Reuter said it's important the bond issue is passed on Tuesday, so the protection district can continue to provide services to the community.

"We've had some equipment that when we arrive on scene it wouldn't function even though it might have worked the day before."

Gehm said they need to replace one fire engine, two tanker trucks and several brush trucks. He said if the bond issue doesn't pass on Tuesday, the fire protection district may have to resort to a tax increase in the future to help pay for necessary upgrades.

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Posted: Apr 4, 2016

Ashland Fire Department Opens New Fire Station to the Community

Updated: 04/02/2016 9:45 PM Taylor Holt Created: 04/02/2016 5:03 PM "We've operated out of the new fire station for approximately 94 days. I'm delighted to share with you some of the positive comments from staff," said Ashland Fire Chief, Wayne Chenier as he spoke the more than 100 people who showed up for the new fire station's open house.

The years of planning have finally paid off for the Ashland Fire Department as they opened the doors of their new firehouse to the community.

"Firefighters and law enforcement is something the community does need to support because they are serving us so we need to support them," said Sarah Grubisic, a resident of Ashland.

The open house showcased the three million dollar facility, which was a big change from their previous location of more than 90 years.

"Our previous kitchen was a third of the size of this new one. We had 5 to 8 people in the cramped little corridors and now we can move about the day without tapping each other. From an operational stand point, having all our apparatuses under one roof has significantly improved our city's ability to deliver emergency services," said Captain Christopher Bulouvsky with the Ashland Fire Department.

Retired Ashland fireman, James Thompson, says things have only gotten better since his time working for the department.

"The main thing is they have access to equipment. They have a ton of more equipment than we ever had. We had three trucks and you look out here, they have nine bays and there's something in every bay," he said.

The department says although this is a big improvement for them, this wouldn't be possible without the continuous support of the community.

"The community's always been there behind us for many, many years. City surveys throughout my tenure here suggested we had a great deal of community support and this open house illustrates that," said Bulouvsky.

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Posted: Apr 4, 2016

Augusta's Hartford Fire Station Needs Immediate Repairs to Apparatus Floor

AUGUSTA - Augusta Fire Chief Roger Audette said the department has gotten a lot of bang for its buck at the 96-year-old Hartford Fire Station. But more bucks are what it will take to make sure the station is operational for years to come.

During a tour of the structure Friday morning, Audette outlined plans to shore up the garage flooring of the station and in 2018 to expand the facility to accommodate larger fire equipment.

The chief said that after inspections in 2013, an engineer recommended the department fix the cracks in the floor, and the city budgeted $60,000 to complete the work. But in a series of meetings several weeks ago, the same engineer recommended that plan wouldn’t make the floor strong enough to hold fire engines.

“We have asked her to come up with a plan to shore up the floor so we can bring the fire engine back (from the Western Avenue station),” Audette said. “We want to get that work done within the next six to 10 weeks.”

The floor has several cracks in its foundation because of constant exposure to water, and the basement space below, used for storage, training and fitness, is only accessible when there are no vehicles in the garage above. The basement weight room, which has more equipment than the average local gym, can be used only during specific hours when there are no vehicles parked above the people working out.

Audette said the plan is to relocate the storage and fill and close the basement, because it doesn’t make sense to have a basement under apparatus-bay floors.

“Water is the enemy of every building,” Audette said. “We’ve done a great job getting it where it is, but it’s time to fix it.”

Audette admits that shoring up the floor would be a temporary fix, but he looked ahead to the bigger expansion project as a way to save money while updating the facility.

“We want to shore it up now, and then after we decide about the addition, we will do it all,” Audette said. “We’ll save money because the workers will already be here.”

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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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