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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: Oct 10, 2022

Case Study: Hydroplane in KY Results in Firefighter Fatality

Drive to Survive: Case Studies

A 30-year-old firefighter was responding in his personal vehicle to a report of a high-water emergency. The firefighter was responding to the fire station on June 16, 2003, to pick up a fire apparatus when he drove over a large pool of water on the roadway.

The firefighter lost control of his personal vehicle, traveled off the road, and struck the signpost of a large billboard. During the course of the crash, the victim firefighter sustained fatal injuries.

Driver Considerations

A crash investigation by the state police revealed that no speed estimate could be made based on the lack of roadway evidence. However, a witness stated that the victim firefighter had passed her on the roadway while she was traveling at approximately 40 miles per hour (mph). This witness later discovered the crash when she continued farther down the road. Based on this witness statement, there is evidence that the victim firefighter was traveling in excess of 40 mph on a wet road.

Fire apparatus operators must understand the dangers of driving in inclement weather. Although there are many issues to consider, this case study will focus on hydroplaning. As a tire rotates on the axle, the tire tread is designed to push water and moisture out of the way so that the rubber tire face can come in contact with the road (photo 1). If the vehicle is traveling too quickly and the tire is spinning too fast, the tire tread will not have enough time to effectively move the water out of the way. As a result, a wedge of water could build up in front of the tire. Eventually, the tire may ride up on this wedge of water and lose contact with the road. This is a hydroplane.

 The purpose of tire tread is to “push” or channel water out of the way so that the rubber tire face can come in contact with the road surface. (Photos by author.)

Driving a vehicle at a high speed on a wet roadway can lead to a hydroplane situation. The speed at which a tire will hydroplane depends on three major factors: the depth of the tire tread, the air pressure in the tire, and the depth of the water that the vehicle is driving through. A shallower tire tread will not be able to move as much water as a deeper tire tread. An underinflated tire will not be able to push the water out of the way as effectively as a properly inflated tire. And last, deeper water will be able to more easily overwhelm the tire tread.

Fire apparatus operators must understand the importance of slowing down in wet weather to give the tire enough time to properly push the water out of the way. Drivers must also understand the importance of avoiding large standing pools of water and instead try to stay in the tracks of the vehicles tra

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Posted: Oct 10, 2022

Central Lyon (NV) Fire Seeks Tax to Aid Expansion

Central Lyon (NV) County Fire Protection District is asking voters to support an initiative to open two additional full-time fire stations and fill open positions of previous volunteer positions with full-time emergency medical and fire protection personnel, NevadaAppeal.com reported.

Approval of the initiative, county Question 1, calls for a tax levy of 23 cents per $100 of assessed valuation upon all property owners residing within the CLCFD boundary for up to 30 years, the report said. The revenue would provide additional firefighter/paramedics and help to improve emergency response times in the district’s communities.

Two of seven stations within Central Lyon help to cover more than 640 square miles, with Central Lyon’s firefighters responding to all calls and making 80% of their calls within 17 minutes, a fire official said.

An arguments for the increase, according to the report: Firefighter/paramedics would be placed at Silver Springs’ Station 32 and Dayton Valley Road’s Station 39 all day. An argument against its passage: The CLCFPD should explore other options and move existing personnel to staff stations 32 and 39 and have a complete audit.

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Posted: Oct 10, 2022

San Jose (CA) Fire Department Investigating Video of Stripper in Fire Truck

The San Jose Fire Department says it is aware of a video on social media purportedly showing a woman exiting city a fire truck and heading into a strip club.

KTVU reports the matter is under investigation after social media account Sanjosefoos posted the video with the caption, “Only in San Jose do you see a stripper come out of a fire truck.”

“If findings of an internal investigation reveal inappropriate behavior of any Department members, appropriate steps will be taken,” San Jose Fire Chief Robert Sapien told KTVU.

Visit KTVU for more.

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Posted: Oct 10, 2022

Photo Apparatus of the Day: October 10, 2022

Spartan Emergency Response—San Marco (TX) Fire Department 105-foot tractor-drawn aerial ladder quint. Gladiator tractor cab and chassis; Cummins X15 565-hp engine; Waterous CSX 1,000-gpm pump; ProPoly 300-gallon polypropylene tank; 105-foot heavy-duty ladder; 500-pound ladder tip load. Dealer: Jimmy Girvan, Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists, Houston, TX.

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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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