Menu

Welcome

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: May 27, 2025

Hull (WI) FD Adds Upgraded Brush Truck with Grant Funding, New Tech

By Brandi Makuski

The Hull Fire Department has upgraded its wildfire response capabilities with the addition of a new 2024 brush truck, replacing a decades-old military vehicle that department leaders say had become unreliable and obsolete.

The new 400-gallon brush truck was built by Midwest Fire and delivered on April 12 after being showcased at the FDIC International 2025 fire industry conference in Indianapolis. It replaces a 1963 military surplus 6×6 truck that had served the town for decades but was increasingly difficult to maintain.

“It was old,” said Hull Fire Chief Ken Sadogierski. “The tank leaked, it had a standard transmission—most of the younger folks don’t know how to drive one—and it only went 40 or 45 miles an hour. It was more of a hindrance.”

The new rig features a 400-gallon polypropylene tank with a lifetime warranty and includes 12 gallons of onboard foam capacity—marking the department’s first brush unit equipped with foam.

Built on a Ford F-550 Super Duty chassis, the truck is outfitted with super single tires and a suspension lift for improved off-road handling. It includes a Thunderstruck HD bumper with a center-mounted, joystick-controlled turret—believed to be the first of its kind in Portage County’s fleet across about a dozen departments.

The total cost of the truck was $253,547. The department secured a $239,640 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) through FEMA, with the town covering the remaining $13,907 through the fire department’s budget.

For more on this story, please go to spmetrowire.com.

The post Hull (WI) FD Adds Upgraded Brush Truck with Grant Funding, New Tech appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Read more
Posted: May 27, 2025

AgGeorgia Farm Credit Awards $4,300 Grant to Teloga (GA) VFD

AgGeorgia Farm Credit awarded $53,800 in grant funding to 12 nonprofit organizations across Georgia through its Community Mission Fund in 2024. Launched in 2023, the grant program supports projects that promote the future of agriculture and enhance the quality of life in rural communities. A total of 48 applications were received, with grants of up to $5,000 awarded per project.

Among the 2024 recipients is the Teloga Volunteer Fire Department, which received funding to purchase specialized woodland firefighting equipment. This includes updated fire rakes, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and a gas detector—all essential tools for improving emergency response in rugged, rural terrain. The new equipment replaced outdated gear that had hindered operations, allowing for safer and more efficient firefighting efforts in high-pressure environments.

“The new tools will significantly enhance our ability to respond quickly and safely to wildland fires,” said Captain Joe Croy from the Teloga Volunteer Fire Department. “This grant allows us to better protect the citizens of Teloga and the surrounding departments from Chattooga and Walker County, ensuring our firefighters are better equipped and more secure on the job.”

Organizations that received 2024 Community Mission Fund grants include:

  • Ben Hill County 4-H (Ben Hill County)
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Jackson County (Jackson County)
  • Byromville Community Food Pantry (Dooly County)
  • Comfort Farms (Baldwin County)
  • C-Qul (Bibb County)
  • Doc’s Healing Hives and Honey (Fannin County)
  • Georgia Envirothon (Clarke County)
  • Hero Agriculture (Gordon County)
  • Hickory Log Personal Care Home (Bartow County)
  • Sacred Roots Farm Inc (Hall County)
  • Thomson Middle School FFA (Houston County) 
     

AgGeorgia is accepting applications for 2025 Community Mission Fund grants until June 30, 2025. Interested organizations can learn more and apply by visiting aggeorgia.com/community-mission-fund.

The post AgGeorgia Farm Credit Awards $4,300 Grant to Teloga (GA) VFD appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Read more
Posted: May 26, 2025

Motorcyclist, 30, Killed in Crash With FDNY Apparatus in Brooklyn (NY)

A motorcyclist was killed after he collided with an FDNY truck responding to an emergency call in Brooklyn, cops said Monday.

The 30-year-old victim was riding west on Avenue U when he collided with the firetruck going south on Flatbush Ave. in Marine Park about 11:55 p.m. Sunday, police said.

The fire truck had its lights and sirens blaring, cops said.

Medics rushed the motorcyclist to Brookdale University Hospital but he could not be saved. Police have not yet released his name.

The 49-year-old FDNY member driving the firetruck stayed at the scene. Cops are still investigating the crash.

©2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post Motorcyclist, 30, Killed in Crash With FDNY Apparatus in Brooklyn (NY) appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Read more
Posted: May 26, 2025

Prince George’s County (MD) Emergency Vehicle Struck at Accident Scene

Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department were assisting a crash on Route 50 early Sunday, May 25, 2025, when a car rammed into one of its emergency vehicles, nbcwashington.com reported.

No one was seriously injured in the crash.

“A video (above) captured the moment that a vehicle struck PGFD’s Paramedic Engine 830 from Landover Hills,” Prince George’s County said in a Facebook post. “Thankfully, no injuries were reported. The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. Sunday on Route 50 at Veterans Highway.

“Please slow down and move over for emergency vehicles.”

The post Prince George’s County (MD) Emergency Vehicle Struck at Accident Scene appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Read more
RSS
123578910Last

Theme picker

Upcoming Events

Theme picker

Sponsors

Fire Mechanics Section Board

Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Chair

Elliot Courage
North Whatcom Fire & Rescue
Read more

Vice Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Vice Chair

Mike Smith 
Pierce County Fire District #5
Read more

Secretary

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Secretary

Greg Bach
South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue
Read more

Director #1

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #1

Doug Jones
South Kitsap Fire & Rescue
Read more

Director #2

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #2

Paul Spencer 
Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC
Read more

Director #3

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #3

Jim Morris
Mountain View Fire Department
Read more

Director #4

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #4

Arnie Kuchta

Clark County Fire District 6

Read more

Director #6

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #6

Brett Annear
Kitsap County Fire District 18
Read more

Director #5

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #5

Jay Jacks
Camano Island Fire & Rescue
Read more

Legislative Representative

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Legislative Representative

TBD
TBD
Read more

Immediate Past Chair

Posted: Oct 20, 2015

Immediate Past Chair

Brian Fortner
Graham Fire & Rescue

Read more
RSS

Theme picker

2020 CAR SHOW