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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: Aug 30, 2022

Lake Valley (CA) Celebrates Arrival of New Fire Engine with ‘Wet-Down’ Ceremony

Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) and the Meyers (CA) community marked the arrival of its new $800,000 fire engine with a traditional wet-down ceremony on Monday, according to a report in SouthTahoeNow.com.

The tradition of a wet-down dates back to the late 1800s when fire departments used horses to pull a fire apparatus to fires. After fighting the fire, the crews would wash and ready the horses and the apparatus in preparation for the next call, then they would push the apparatus into the station’s bay.

To recreate the historical process, LVFPD staff used water from its retiring engine to spray down the new engine, the report said. They were then joined by the community to help dry it off. The engine was then pushed into its bay at Station 7.

It has been 11 years since any of the apparatus at LVFPD had been replaced, and engine 7 had been in service for 25 years, well over its life cycle, the report said.

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Posted: Aug 30, 2022

Three rural fire departments in KY receive grants for new station, renovations

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday visited Eastern Kentucky to announce $2.4 million in grants, some of which will go to three rural fire departments for a new fire station and building renovations, according to a report on WYMT.com.

The Louisa Volunteer Fire Department and Blaine Volunteer Fire Department were awarded $750,000.

The Louisa Fire Department is using the money to renovate the 50-year-old Main Street station. The renovations will include: new meeting and training rooms for firefighters, replacing garage doors, installing a new roof, ceiling and addressing other maintenance issues, the report said.

The Blaine Fire Department will build a new station. The old station, destroyed by fire in 2013, has relied on staging its trucks and equipment at various locations throughout the district, according to the report.

The governor also announced a $750,000 grant for the Westwood Fire Department for renovations to the station.

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Posted: Aug 29, 2022

Bozeman (MT) Fire, Police Move to New Public Safety Center

Bozeman (MT) fire and police departments will be moving out of the stations where they’ve been for the last 50 years. They’re both moving to the new Public Safety Center, NBCMontana.com is reporting.

Bozeman Fire has been working out of Fire Station No. 1 at 34 North Rouse Avenue. The police department has been working out of the Law and Justice Center at 615 South 16th Avenue, which was originally built as a Catholic school. Both will be moving into the new Public Safety Center at 901 North Rouse Avenue.

Crews plan to start moving in next week, according to the report. Bozeman Fire has already been busy moving tables and fire poles to the new facility, along with a bell that’s been with the department since the late 19th century.

Both departments say the new space will help keep pace with the growth in the city, and they believe sharing it together will help protect the community, the report said.

Crews hope to be moved in by the middle of September.

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Posted: Aug 29, 2022

Extended Front Bumpers, Part 2

By Bill Adams

Bill Adams continues his look at the configurations of front bumper extensions for fire apparatus. Read part 1 here.

Pierce bumper extension

A 19-inch Pierce bumper with the steamer elbow on the officer’s side far edge with an open well for a 25-foot soft sleeve. The driver’s side open well has a capacity for 125-foot of 1¾-inch preconnected to a deck-mounted elbow. Tow hooks are mounted underneath.

These wells feature what Pierce calls “round aluminum extrusions” on the top leading edges to facilitate removing hose. Most apparatus manufacturers will provide them or a variation of them – if they are specified. Everything on the front end is “blacked out” except the elbows and treadplate.

Seagrave fire truck bumper extension

An open center hose well’s preconnect is supplied by a deck-mounted elbow on this Seagrave’s bumper. Dual air horns are on the officer’s side and a Q is recessed in a cut-out on the driver’s side. Painted tow eyes are beneath the bumper.

To my knowledge, there’s no regulation requiring dual air horns on a fire truck. If you have two, is it legal to have them side-by-side? Ditto for electronic siren speakers. Does being close together affect the performance of either?

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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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