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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: Aug 13, 2025

Coxreels Improves Options for the Vacuum Series Reel

CoxreelsV-100 Series product line has been improved and expanded! Introducing the new 1¼-inch vacuum hose reel V-112-735 without hose and the V-112H-735 with hose. The new model is a smaller frame size featuring 12-inch diameter discs instead of the original 17-inch diameter discs and is designed for use with 35 feet of 1 ¼-inch vacuum hose. The outlet connecting to the hose remains 1½-inch and our 1¼-inch hose comes equipped with 1½-inch slip cuffs on both ends for maximum flow.

In addition to the new models, the swivel has been improved on the entire product line. The new swivel design still allows for the connection of multiple hose sizes by using the inside and the outside of the housing, but a greater gradual taper has increased the amount of compatible inlet hose cuffs. This remains important because retail shop vacuums are coming with larger and larger hoses, some as big as 2.5 inches. The swivel also includes hidden improvements via an enhanced O-ring sealing system for greater vacuum consistency and performance.

The hose has a super flexible “crush-proof” smooth interior hose suitable for commercial cleaning applications and is equipped with standard 1.5-inch threaded hose cuffs on both hose sizes.

Coxreels® has remained steadfast and focused on manufacturing high quality professional grade hose, cord, and cable reels since 1923. Offering a full product line serving the industry in every channel and application, Coxreels® takes great pride in designing, building, and supporting all of their products right here in the U.S.A.

For further information on Coxreels® new options for the V-100 Series, contact Customer Service at (800) 269-7335 or visit www.coxreels.com.

The post Coxreels Improves Options for the Vacuum Series Reel appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Aug 12, 2025

Atlantic Emergency Solutions Expands Service Center in Charlotte (NC)

Facility expansion adds seven new service bays and local pickup and delivery, enhancing emergency vehicle service capabilities across the region.

APPLETON, Wisconsin (August 12, 2025) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) business, is pleased to announce Pierce authorized dealer, Atlantic Emergency Solutions, has completed a significant expansion of its Charlotte, North Carolina service center to better support the needs of the Charlotte Fire Department and other fire agencies across the region. The upgraded facility, located in a convenient and accessible area on Statesville Road in Charlotte, will provide enhanced service offerings, expanded capacity, and increased parts availability for departments across North Carolina and beyond.

“Our team is committed to keeping fire departments mission-ready,” said Joe Pack, Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Emergency Solutions. “With this expansion, we’re positioned to reduce downtime, enhance service accessibility, and support growing fleets such as the Charlotte Fire Department.”

The Charlotte service center expansion includes an additional 9,200 square feet, nearly doubling the previous size of the facility to a total of 25,200 square feet. Seven new service bays were added, increasing the shop’s capacity and turnaround time for essential maintenance and repairs. The project also included an updated parts room and installation of a sprinkler system for increased safety. Additionally, the center will offer local pickup and delivery of fire apparatus to stations throughout the region.

Atlantic Emergency Solutions is the authorized Pierce dealer for a large eastern region of the United States, including Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.

To learn more about Pierce fire apparatus and Atlantic Emergency Solutions’ growing service network, visit www.piercemfg.com.

The post Atlantic Emergency Solutions Expands Service Center in Charlotte (NC) appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Aug 12, 2025

Mentor (OH) Buys Site for New Fire Station

Molly Walsh
cleveland.com
(TNS)

MENTOR, Ohio – Mentor officials are moving forward with plans to build a new fire station, which will replace the city’s more than 50-year-old firehouse.

The city has purchased land for the project at the northeast corner of state Route 84 and Plaza Boulevard, where the former Sears Automotive Center once stood.

The transaction closed on July 9, after City Council approved the property sale in February, according to a city spokesperson.

The new station remains in the design phase. Fire Chief Bob Zak has been touring other fire facilities across Ohio and working with an architect to develop plans for a modern building that will replace the city’s existing station next to Garfield Park, which has been in service since 1965.

While design work on the fire station continues, city leaders are also debating how to temporarily reduce the property tax burden on residents.

Councilman Scott Marn proposed a one-year moratorium on collecting the city’s fire levy, which generates about $2.15 million annually.

During a City Council meeting July 1, Marn argued that Mentor’s reserves could cover expenses during the pause without delaying construction or disrupting fire department operations.

“It’s clean, it’s simple, it affects everybody that has property in Mentor, whether it’s business, whether it’s residential, anything of that nature,” Marn said during the meeting.

Other council members, including Councilperson-at-Large Ray Kirchner, voiced concerns that suspending the levy might confuse taxpayers or jeopardize long-term funding for fire services.

“(The levy) was voted on by the residents…It was put on permanently,” He said. “We’re in the process of building a fire station, which is where these funds are going to be coming from.”

Instead, Kirchner proposed offsetting expenses by drawing on money set aside for the city’s recycling and waste collection services.

Marn’s idea to pause fire levy collections has not been officially introduced to council. Council is on a break until Sept. 2.

©2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit cleveland.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post Mentor (OH) Buys Site for New Fire Station appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Aug 12, 2025

Talking Trucks: Rig Design with Maintenance in Mind

In the latest episode of Talking Trucks, hosted by Chris Mc Loone and joined by fire apparatus expert Ricky Riley, the focus zeroed in on a critical component of fire apparatus management: designing rigs for ease of maintenance. The conversation went into how early planning and well-crafted specifications can reduce out-of-service time, lower repair costs, and extend the operational life of apparatus across various types — from pumpers and ladders to rescues and ambulances.

Maintenance Must Be a Priority During Specification and Design

The podcast reinforced that a truck’s specification phase is the most crucial opportunity to ensure the rig is maintainable over its lifespan. Once production begins, changes become costly or delay delivery. Ricky emphasized that specifying detailed requirements—including service clearance around components—is non-negotiable.

Riley pointed out that manufacturers tend to follow the letter of the specification. If it doesn’t explicitly call for reinforced brackets or panel access, those features may be installed in ways that compromise serviceability. “If it’s not in writing, it doesn’t exist,” Mc Loone echoed, underscoring advice from long-time industry advisor Bill Adams. Departments must carefully spell out every detail to avoid costly surprises after delivery.

Maintenance isn’t just the shop’s responsibility. Firefighters themselves must be equipped with the knowledge and tools for routine upkeep. Riley lamented how many training programs overlook practical maintenance tasks, such as checking pump pressure governors, grease points, or backflushing the pump. “It’s a lost art form,” he said, describing the disconnect between certification-driven training and the hands-on skills needed to keep rigs operational at the station level.

Listen to the Podcast for more of the conversation!

The post Talking Trucks: Rig Design with Maintenance in Mind appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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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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