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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 11, 2015

New Paging Solution to Improve First Responder Communications

A new public safety paging technology solution that will allow emergency personnel across Michigan to use a single system for both two-way radio and paging is now available. The P25 paging capability--the first of its kind--will operate on Michigan’s Public Safety Communications System.

Currently, MPSCS subscribers may need two separate systems to dispatch emergency crews, one for the radios they use at the scene of an incident and another for the pagers that summon emergency responders. This new technology will provide both functions in one single system. Additionally, the new solution will notify first responders if they are out of communication range, a confirmation the current method does not provide.

“In an emergency, every second is critical to life-saving activity,” said Brad Stoddard, MPSCS director. “The efficiency created by combining radio and paging into one system will get emergency responders to an accident scene faster, which will save lives.”

The MPSCS is one of the largest single public safety communications system in North America, providing interoperable voice and data communications to 1,493 local, state, federal, tribal and private public safety agencies. MPSCS has strategically partnered with Unication, a worldwide leader in designing and manufacturing of critical messaging technology, to bring this state of the art P25 paging solution to fruition. “This partnership has allowed us to bring a paging solution, that has been missing from the P25 landscape for many years, first to the citizens of Michigan and then to the global P25 marketplace,” said Kirk Alland, Vice President and General Manager of Unication USA.

The MPSCS has already worked with state, local and private agencies to test the new paging solution.

The MPSCS, a part of the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, has received both national and international recognition as the standard for large and multiple partner land mobile radio systems. The system spans nearly 60,000 square miles and includes 246 tower sites with more than 60 integrated local and state public safety dispatch centers and a network communications center that serves more than 74,000 radios.

More information about the MPSCS can be found at www.michigan.gov/mpscs and more information about Unication and the G4 P25 Voice Pager can be found at www.unicationusa.com.

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Posted: Dec 11, 2015

Fire Truck Photo of the Day-Sutphen Ladder Truck

Emmett Township Department of Public Safety, Battle Creek, MI, 100-foot aerial platform. Monarch heavy-duty cab and chassis.

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Posted: Dec 10, 2015

FLIR, DJI Announce Strategic Collaboration to Enable Commercial Drones with Thermal Imaging Capability

 FLIR, DJI Announce Strategic Collaboration to Enable Commercial Drones with Thermal Imaging Capability

Wilsonville, OR – December 10, 2015 FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) today announced a new technology collaboration with drone industry leader DJI Innovations. Under the strategic arrangement, the companies also announced plans to develop their first joint product, the DJI Zenmuse XT stabilized camera featuring FLIR’s thermal imaging technology for DJI’s Inspire 1 and Matrice aerial platforms.

Combining DJI’s Zenmuse stabilized micro-gimbal technology, which has become a common platform for demanding aerial cinematography, with FLIR’s popular Tau 2 thermal imaging camera core, the Zenmuse XT will expand the possibilities for commercial drone operators and infrastructure inspectors.  Using FLIR thermal imaging on small drones brings new capabilities to dozens of commercial applications, including search and rescue, firefighting, agriculture, wildlife protection, and the inspection of energy infrastructure, bridges, and buildings.

The addition of thermal imaging provides users the ability to see in complete darkness, measure temperature remotely, and see through obscurants like smoke, dust, and light fog.  Zenmuse XT users will have the unique ability to see minute temperature variances – normally invisible to the naked eye – that can signify potential problems in buildings, detect the presence of people or animals, and monitor the health of mechanical and electrical equipment remotely.  Its integration with DJI’s Lightbridge live video downlink system and the DJI GO app will also give drone operators real-time control and recording during flight.

“FLIR and DJI today support many of the same commercial applications,” said Andy Teich, President and CEO of FLIR. “FLIR is thrilled to work with DJI to deliver these customers a plug-and-play thermal imaging solution for DJI’s established ecosystem of unmanned aircraft and related apps while expanding our collective opportunities in the rapidly-growing commercial drone market.”

RELATED: Drones in the Fire Service | So, You Want To Buy a Drone ?

DJI’s popular Inspire 1 and Matrice airframes provide industry-leading aerial cinematography and development platforms. The same attributes that set these airframes apart for capturing stunning aerial video – stable flight performance, predictable flight execution, and seamless integration with the popular DJI Go app – also make them ideal thermal imaging platforms.

“DJI’s collaboration with FLIR in thermal imaging signals our intent to innovate in sectors where technology can be a game-changer,” said DJI CEO Frank Wang. "The result will be joint, best-in-class solutions that are intuitive and easy to use."

The Zenmuse XT will be available in early 2016 at both DJI and FLIR dealers. Please visit http://www.dji.com/product/zenmuse-xt to learn more.

About FLIR Systems
FLIR Systems, Inc. is a world leader in

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Posted: Dec 10, 2015

Fire Truck Photo of the Day-KME Pumper

Florence County-Hannah Salem (SC) Fire Department, custom pumper. Predator Panther cab and chassis.

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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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