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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 3, 2022

Henrietta (NY) Fire District Helps Couple Stay Together in Final Years

In this week’s First Responders Spotlight, we head to a fire station that helped a couple stay together in the final years they had left, RochesterFirst.com reported.

Henrietta Fire District managed to provide a level of security and peace for John and Jodi Guiancursios, husband and wife, when emergencies arose, the report said.    

John Guiancursios was in failing health in the final years of his life, getting weaker and suffering from dementia, the report said.

Not wanting to live in a nursing home, John was able to stay in his Henrietta home, right across the street from the Erie Station Fire Department, part of the Henrietta Fire District. John would often collapse and have emergencies and Jodi would call the fire team for help, according to the report.

The fire department helped the Guiancursios as much as 20 times, the report said.

While John passed at 87, what these firefighters did for him and Jodi remains. The fire team wants to let everyone know they don’t just fight fires.

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

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Posted: Oct 3, 2022

Understanding Colorization and Temperature in Your Thermal Imager

Thermal Imaging

In my article “What Am I Looking At?” (August 2022), I reflected on the use of grayscale imagery with white-hot polarity (white—hot, black—cold, everything else—shades of gray) while using your thermal imager (TI). This month, I want to expand on this more by talking about colorization and temperature measurement.
Carl Nix

All TIs will produce colorization. This is a standard feature at different temperature levels based on their respective manufacturer specifications. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1801, Standard on Thermal Imagers for the Fire Service–2021 Edition, stipulates that only the colors of yellow, orange, and red can be used. For example, this manufacturer inserts colorization at this temperature range: Yellow 500-800°F (260-426°C), Orange 800-1,000°F (426-537°C), Red 1,000+°F (537°+C).

What the NFPA does not stipulate is what temperature this colorization should appear. Therefore, all manufacturer specifications can vary, so make sure you understand this before use.

What does colorization do for you?

As the temperature progresses within the structure, your TI will produce colorization indicating concerns: extreme ceiling temperatures, advancing fire progression, the location of the fire, and so on. Each color palette will give you a certain temperature range. Remember, this colorization is only temporary, because as soon as you get water on the fire, the red goes away, and your TI is back to showing grayscale imagery. Some TI technology have user selectable modes, which insert distinct color palettes based on various applications you require, so make sure you understand which application your TI should be set on.

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Posted: Oct 3, 2022

Fairfield (CA) Council to Consider Providing Fire Service to Cordelia District

The Fairfield City Council on Tuesday will consider providing fire service to the Cordelia Fire Protection District, DailyRepublic.com reported.

The board action is to decide whether to allow the city fire department to apply through the Solano Local Agency Formation Commission to enter into a contract for service with the Cordelia district, the report said.

The report states the city is already covering some calls for Cordelia when staffing dictates.

The idea is for the short-term agreement to extend out no longer than June 30. If no long-term agreement is reached by then, the staff report states that the short-term contract should be re-evaluated.

The fee per call would be $475. Based on current call volume, the contract would generate about $213,000 through the end of the fiscal year, the report said.

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Posted: Oct 3, 2022

Union Pacific Fire Train Helps Crews Fight 120K-Acre Cedar Creek (OR) Fire

High-tech is a big part of firefighting in the 21st century, from drones to automated detection cameras. But a less advanced piece of equipment – a fire train – is helping crews working to contain the two-month-old Cedar Creek (OR) Fire that has grown to nearly 121,000 acres, KTVZ.com reported.

Here’s Sunday’s update from fire officials:

West Zone Operations: Firefighters were able to remain engaged yesterday as an east wind pushed across the fire area. With the assistance of the Union Pacific Fire Train, crews increased the security of control lines in the south and southwest. The east wind event will continue today but begin to diminish and ultimately shift to a northwest wind by the afternoon and evening. Road grading has begun on the west side of the fire and is expected to continue as crews work to repair areas impacted by firefighting efforts. The southeast area of the fire showed little activity from a reconnaissance flight yesterday afternoon and will continue to be monitored. Work to reduce fuels and repair impacted areas along the northern edge is nearing completion.

East Zone Operations: 
Yesterday’s work around the divisions east of the crest included processing fuels, skidding, hauling, decking, masticating, and looking ahead to repair work. Some of the road work included identifying areas along the 46 road that need repair and finishing grading along the 700 road near Cultus Lake. Temperatures are unseasonably hotter and drier than normal with no precipitation in the foreseeable forecast. The fire is expected to continue creeping and smoldering, but no spotting is anticipated.

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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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