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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: Mar 9, 2023

Nominate a Rural Fire Department to Receive Life-Saving Grain Bin Equipment

PRESS RELEASE

Rural fire fighters are often the first and only line of defense when someone becomes helplessly trapped in grain. Unfortunately, many fire departments lack the specialized rescue techniques and equipment necessary for a successful grain bin rescue.

In conjunction with Grain Bin Safety Week (third full week of February), Nationwide teams up with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS)KC Supply and others to award emergency first responders with grain rescue tubes and hands-on rescue training to help save lives.

What you can win

  • One (1) grain rescue tube, valued between $3,000 to $5,000
  • One (1) six-hour grain entrapment rescue training session, at winner’s location, valued at up to $5,000

Winners and prizes are made possible by the generosity of our partners. Learn how you can partner with us to help save lives.

The annual grain bin rescue tube contest begins January 1st of each year

The contest begins on January 1 at 8:00 a.m. CT and extends through April 30 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Only entries submitted during this time will be considered for the contest.

To enter, describe how your local fire department or emergency rescue team and community would benefit from grain entrapment training and a rescue tube, and how the tube and training could be shared with nearby departments. Please include:

  • Your name
  • Occupation
  • Phone number
  • Mailing address
  • Email address
  • Name, address and phone number of the fire department or rescue team nomination

Nominations are accepted from the general public as well as from fire fighters who wish to nominate their own fire department. Employees and agents of Nationwide are not eligible to submit nominations for the contest.

Submit your entry during the contest:

Limit one (1) entry per person, per email address and per household or department

Abbreviated rules

No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Open to legal residents of the contiguous United States and the District of Columbia, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, who are at least 18 years of age at the time of entry. Void where prohibited. Enter Contest by: 4/30/2023. Contest ends: 4/30/2023. See Official Rules and prize descriptions. (PDF)

Sponsor: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, 1100 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50391.

Contest history

Since 2014, the contest has received over 9,000 nominations and has awarded grain rescue tubes and hands-on rescue training to over 272 fire departments in over 31 states. Five of the tubes have been used to save

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Posted: Mar 8, 2023

Boulder City (NV) Getting New Fire Station

Boulder City’s growth in recent years has finally brought about a decision by the city council to build a second fire station to reduce response times from Station 121, currently its only fire station, news3lv.com reported.

A fire official says Station 121 is currently staffed by seven full-time firefighters, which presents challenges to adequately protect Boulder City’s population of about 15,000 residents, according to the report.

About half of all residents live outside an area from which Station 121 could respond within a critical four-minute time period, the report said.

The fire official said the decision for a second station came after a detailed study, the report said.

The city expects a groundbreaking once a final design is chosen and contracts are awarded for construction. The fire official hopes to have the new Station 122 completed by the end of 2023, according to the report.

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Posted: Mar 8, 2023

Henderson (NV) Celebrates Grand Opening of New Fire Station 87

Henderson Mayor Michelle Romero joined the fire department in celebrating the grand opening of Station 87 on Jan. 18, news3lv.com reported.

The open house event gave the community a first look into the new station, new firefighters, and new fire engine, the report said.

Station 87 will be housing 10 firefighters to respond to incidents in the area 24/7.

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Posted: Mar 8, 2023

Sheffield Township (IN) VFD Installing HAAS Safety Cloud Technology on Fire Trucks

Sheffield Township VFD Fire Chief Shawn Alkire is pleased to announce that the volunteer fire department is installing new devices from HAAS Safety Cloud on the department’s apparatus to improve firefighter and motorist safety, according to a township news release.

Purdue University used grant funding to provide three HAAS Safety Cloud transponders for Sheffield Township Volunteer Fire Department trucks, and the department paid $1,400 for three more, meaning all six of the department’s trucks will be equipped with the devices.

The HAAS Safety Cloud transponders track the location of fire trucks and other emergency vehicles and alert nearby drivers whenever the trucks have their lights or sirens activated. The system can send warnings to the Waze traffic app, or directly to the infotainment screens in vehicles that participate in the program, meaning drivers will get advanced warnings if they are approaching an area where Sheffield Township firefighters are working.

The company says its technology can lead to a 90% reduction in collisions with emergency vehicles over just the use of lights and sirens.

The transponders will also enable the department to track the location of its vehicles and any traffic backups in the area, which can help first responders remain more aware of traffic issues as they respond to calls.

“This technology will be well worth it if it can help keep even one member of our department from getting hit, or help keep someone from causing a crash,” said Chief Alkire. “This is really an insurance policy to help us keep our firefighters and motorists safe. I’d like to thank Purdue University for their generosity, and for supporting our efforts.”

To learn more about the devices via a video from HAAS Safety Cloud, click here.

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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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