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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: Feb 15, 2016

Fire Truck Photo of the Day-HME Pumper

Buffalo Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department, Buffalo, IN, pumper. HME Ahrens-Fox 1871 cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump.

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Posted: Feb 12, 2016

LAFD Begins Fast Response Vehicle Trial Program

The Los Angeles (CA) Fire Department (LAFD) is completing a trial program using a two member dual-response resource called a Fast Response Vehicle (FRV) in an effort to decrease response times to critical patients, decrease the volume of fire suppression resources responding to emergency medical service (EMS) calls, and improve triage.
Equipment Stolen from Hickman County Volunteer Fire Department
WILLIAMSPORT, Tenn. (WKRN) - Nearly $2,000 worth of equipment was stolen from the Shady Grove Volunteer Fire Department in Hickman County last month. According to Chief William Jackson, the burglary happened between Jan. 26 and 27 and the thief or thieves got inside the building by busting out glass in the bay doors.
Pierce Heavy Duty Rescue Tiller Fire Truck
When placed into service, this heavy-duty rescue tiller with aerial boom began responding to a wide range of emergencies throughout the tight and congested areas of Portland, Oregon, including trench rescues, confined space rescues, tunnel collapses, and more. The vehicle is built on a Pierce Arrow XT™ chassis with a 16-inch raised roof cab and seating for six firefighters.
EMT Killed, Another Injured After Ambulance Falls Off Hydraulic Lift
An EMT technician died and one other technician was injured after an ambulance fell off of hydraulic automotive lift, according to a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman. The incident occurred Wednesday around 5:32 p.m. in the 1200 block of Avenue C near West Jefferson Hospital in Marrero.
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Posted: Feb 12, 2016

Alachua County Adds 2 Ambulances For Overweight Patients

Alachua County Fire Rescue announced Wednesday that it has added two ambulances that will fit the needs of patients weighing up to 1,600 pounds. Each one includes a hydraulic lift to help patients get into the ambulances and to take the physical stress off emergency responders.

Standard ambulances cost $220,000, Taylor said, and the lift systems on the two ambulances cost an additional $12,700 each. The wider stretchers cost $8,100 each, which is $7,000 cheaper than regular stretchers because they do not have as many features.


The stretchers and lift costs were reduced with a county award grant, which covered 75 percent of the cost.


Tannachion said the new stretchers are similar to those used to carry professional football players off the field. It takes about an hour and a half of training for firefighters to learn how to operate the lift and larger stretcher, he added.


“The controls are at the foot of the stretcher, and you need someone at each corner,” Tannachion said. “It could have six people, three people on each side, if they needed to go over rugged terrain.”


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Posted: Feb 12, 2016

Patton Joins Smeal Fire Apparatus as New Director of Chassis Sales

SNYDER, NE—Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., a fire apparatus manufacturer, announced today that Patrick Patton has been appointed to the newly-created position of director of chassis sales with responsibility for sales management, dealer and technical support, and chassis business development for Smeal’s entire selection of custom fire chassis. Chassis available through Smeal include Smeal’s Sirius, Sirius II, S450 and S600 models; Spartan, HME and Seagrave models. Patton will report to Michael Bowman, Smeal’s vice president of sales. Patton will take over his new role on February 15, 2016.

Patton has more than 20 years of experience in the fire and emergency response industry. Most recently, he worked for Spartan Motor Corporation since 2007 as a regional sales manager with responsibility for business development, dealer and OEM relationship management, and sales process management for a 22-state territory. Prior to joining Spartan, Patton was in direct sales and sales management roles with two fire apparatus dealerships. 

“Pat Patton comes to us with a wealth of experience, expertise and knowledge in custom fire chassis, and customer, dealer, and OEM relationship management. In addition to his exceptional technical expertise, Pat truly understands the needs of our customers and dealers, and he is an ideal choice to spearhead our chassis programs in support of overall Smeal, LTC and UST fire apparatus sales,” side Jeff Wegner, Smeal’s senior vice president of global sales

“I couldn’t be happier to become part of the Smeal team. Smeal is a company that’s on the move. I’ve seen first-hand their development over the past few years, and it’s a very exciting time to be a part of their growth. I’m looking forward to working with Smeal dealers, customers and team members to elevate the information and support we provide for the fire chassis integrated with our outstanding apparatus,” said Patton.

For more information, visit smeal.com, ustanker.com and laddertower.com.

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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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