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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: Jul 18, 2025

Search Continues for Fire Chief Presumed Killed in TX Flooding

Searchers are using drones to try to locate Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips, who is believed to have perished in flooding on July 5.

Phillips was responding to a report of two people trapped by floodwaters when his vehicle was swept off the road. His vehicle and some belongings have been found, but not his body.

In addition to traditional search methods, drones, cadaver dogs, and heat detecting technologies have been deployed in the search, but without success.

The Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Department, meanwhile, published an ‘end of watch announcement for Chief Phillips:

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the end of watch for our Chief, Michael Phillips.

Chief Phillips passed away in the line of duty while responding to a call for service in the early morning hours of July 5th, 2025. At this time, he remains missing.

He was more than just a friend, mentor, and leader — he was our family. His absence will leave a void in our hearts and our department that cannot be filled. We will honor his legacy and the extraordinary service he gave to our community by continuing to be the first responders he strived for us to be.

We love you Chief.

Rest in peace because we’ve got it from here.

The post Search Continues for Fire Chief Presumed Killed in TX Flooding appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Jul 18, 2025

Marble Falls (TX) VFD Announces End of Watch for Missing Chief

The Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department announced Tuesday, July 15, the end of watch for Chief Michael Phillips, who went missing after being swept away by floodwaters on July 5.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the end of watch for our Chief, Michael Phillips,” the department said in a Facebook post.

“Chief Phillips passed away in the line of duty while responding to a call for service in the early morning hours of July 5, 2025. At this time, he remains missing.

“He was more than just a friend, mentor, and leader — he was our family. His absence will leave a void in our hearts and our department that cannot be filled. We will honor his legacy and the extraordinary service he gave to our community by continuing to be the first responders he strived for us to be.

“We love you Chief.

“Rest in peace because we’ve got it from here.”

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The post Marble Falls (TX) VFD Announces End of Watch for Missing Chief appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Jul 18, 2025

Wyoming Fire Authority Designs Rig as Jack of All Trades

BOB VACCARO

Apparatus Ideas Bob Vaccaro

Located outside Cheyenne, Wyoming, the Laramie County Fire Authority covers 1,200 square miles in the northwest area of Cheyenne. The department is a combination department and operates with 10 full-time and 120 volunteer firefighters operating out of eight strategically located fire stations.

Laramie County’s response district is made up of mostly ranchland, prairie land, and mountainous areas, with national forests. The populated areas have a population of 100,000 and also contain the normal strip shopping centers, hotels, and an array of Microsoft Data Centers and other light industrial complexes. There are also several major highways located throughout the district.

Chief Jason Caughley states, “The department was looking to replace an older apparatus and also was in the process of building an additional new fire station. We began the process of looking at several manufacturers for the purchase of a new engine roughly two years ago. The fire district formed an apparatus committee comprised of the paid staff, some volunteers, and a division chief in charge of engineering. We try to go for a 20-year replacement program for all of our apparatus if possible.”

The department had a 2013 and a 2022 Rosenbauer that it was happy with. “Since we went with the Sourcewell program for the purchase, and Rosenbauer was part of their program, we basically could choose a manufacturer that we wanted, the delivery time was shortened compared to today’s standards, and price would be cheaper for the purchase,” says Caughley. “Plus not having to go out for bid also worked out well for us and saved a great deal of time.”

According to Caughley, the department wanted a vehicle that could be a “jack of all trades” because its response area is diverse. It went with a design that included a short wheelbase, pump-and-roll capability, and a higher horsepower engine and could traverse narrow gravel roads and drive up steep grades.

Caughley says, “Rosenbauer had this type of vehicle in their system already on the line being manufactured, which was great for us. This would greatly shorten delivery time, and our apparatus committee still had time to make some changes to the vehicle before it was completed after a factory inspection was performed.”

Rosenbauer

1 The Rosenbauer Timberwolf WUI unit for the Laramie County (WY) Fire Authority. (Photos courtesy of Rosenbauer America.)

booster line

2 Driver’s side compartments with crosslays, forcible entry tools, pony lengths of hose, a booster line, cones, and a toolbox.

miscellaneous tools

3 Officer’s side showing saws, extrication equipment, rope bags, crosslay acess, a booster line, and miscellaneous tools.

 

Rosenbauer

4 The unit’s rear pump, a ladder for access to the hosebed, and a drawer for additional tools.

Additionally, IKON, the Rosenbauer dealer, is located about 40 minutes from the department, making it convenient for servic

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Posted: Jul 18, 2025

PHOTOS: 49th Antique Fire Apparatus Show and Muster Held in Harrisburg (PA), Part 5

The annual antique fire apparatus muster and flea market along the banks of the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, hosted by the Pennsylvania Pump Primers, was held July 12.

The Pennsylvania Pump Primers Association is an organization of antique fire apparatus enthusiasts, many of whom own, drive, maintain, and improve their own fire trucks and related vehicles and equipment, according to the organization’s Web site.

The Pump Primers were founded in Harrisburg in 1975 and the following year became the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the national organization the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA). Every July the Pennsylvania Pump Primers holds its annual muster in Harrisburg along the banks of the Susquehanna River in Riverfront Park. Over the years the muster has drawn an average of 100 pieces of antique apparatus that participate in activities including static display and active drafting and pumping from the river. The muster also features an extensive flea market and fire related contests and games.

Photos from 49th Antique Fire Apparatus Show: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Photos by David Traiforos.

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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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