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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: Dec 1, 2015

Boston EMS Response Times Slow Amid 911 Call Surge

The response time for Boston's emergency medical personnel to arrive at the scene of heart attacks, shootings, and other serious incidents has slowed in recent years, largely because of a little-understood surge in calls for help, city officials said.

The median response time for the most serious, or Priority 1, cases has trended upward since 2009, when it was 5.5 minutes. During 2014, it climbed to 6.4 minutes, above the agency's own goal of 6 minutes, according to data provided to the Globe by Boston Emergency Medical Services.

This year, through the end of October, the median response time was 6.8 minutes for Priority 1 cases.

"Obviously, I worry that the times have gone up," Boston EMS chief James Hooley said. "We really have to pay close attention to it."

However, he said, "We haven't seen that there has been any negative impact on our patients and their outcomes, and that's the ultimate thing we have to look for."

Boston EMS said it has seen a 26 percent rise in calls over the past decade, and said that the increase has driven a rise in response times.

The slower response times in Boston are similar to those in other cities, including San Jose, Calif., and Washington.

Boston EMS said it has seen a 26 percent rise in calls over the past decade, from about 95,500 in 2005 to about 120,000 in 2014. The agency said the increase in calls has driven the rise in response times.

"The call volume is way up. It's a very, very busy system," said James Orsino, union president of the EMS division of the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association.

Priority 1 calls include heart attacks, uncontrollable arterial bleeding, and unconsciousness. Similar increases in response times have been seen in recent years for less-serious Priority 2 and Priority 3 calls.

Boston EMS officials said they have taken a number of steps in recent years to speed up response times.

The agency, which has 350 full-time staff, expanded its uniformed personnel by about 14 percent and added ambulances between 2008 and 2010. It also has staff work overtime hours when needed.

The agency opened a new EMS station, the 16th in the city, in downtown Boston several years ago. The agency is also working with city officials to find a home for a new EMS station in the burgeoning Innovation District.

And the agency just opened a new, larger EMS garage in Mattapan that it expects will improve response times in the surrounding neighborhood.

Agency officials also noted that they must balance speed against the risks that come with having ambulances career through busy streets.

While emphasizing the steps they have taken to address response-time issues, EMS officials also point to research in recent years suggesting that faster response times aren't necessarily linked to better outcomes for patients.

The research found that only certain types of emergencies, such as heart attacks, serious blood loss, and airway obstructions, are time-sensitive.

For more information, view www.bostonglobe.com

 

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Posted: Dec 1, 2015

Battle Creek (MI) Fire Apparatus Involved in Crash

A fire truck was involved in a crash in Battle Creek.

The truck was attempting to turn right at the intersection of Eldred and 20th Streets on Monday afternoon when it side-swiped a minivan.

The vehicle was on its way to another crash when it happened.

No one was hurt.

For more information, view www.wwmt.com

 

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Posted: Dec 1, 2015

One Injured in Accident with Russell County (VA) Fire Apparatus

Virginia State Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash in Russell County that sent one person to the hospital.

The crash happened at 7:50 p.m. Sunday on Route 19, less than a mile south of Route 58.

A Town of Lebanon fire truck was traveling south on Route 19 with its lights and sirens activated, as it was responding to a call. As the fire truck made a left turn into a gas station parking lot, it was struck in the side by a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier that was traveling north on Route 19.

The driver of the fire truck, William B. Lambert, 28, of Lebanon (VA) was not injured in the crash. He was wearing a seat belt. The passenger was wearing a seat belt and was not injured either.

The driver of the Cavalier, Christopher L. Justus, 32, of Honaker (VA) was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries. He was wearing a seat belt.

Justus was charged with reckless driving.

For more information, view wsls.com

 

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Posted: Dec 1, 2015

Survey Examines 5 Trends Transforming Public Safety Communications

Public Safety Industry Survey from Motorola

The way that public safety agencies communicate is changing dramatically. Expanded citizen connections, improved inter-agency collaboration, and a stronger public alliance are the new norm.

Motorola conducted a survey on the latest trends and technology that impact public safety agencies of all sizes. The results reveal that the use of data-driven communications--such as social media, text-to-9-1-1, GPS, video, and cloud technology--are growing rapidly. But there’s still work to be done.

Get the survey results to find out:

  • How 55 percent of public safety respondents say they are using social media
  • Why there’s a 300-percent increase of agencies able to receive text-to-9-1-1
  • Which trends are transforming public safety communications to improve community interaction

Dowload the survey results 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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