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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: Jun 25, 2025

Blocking Fire Truck Struck While Assisting with Traffic Control

The Coopersville/Polkton (MI) Fire Department’s attenuator fire truck (Unit 433) was struck by a passing motorist. The rig sustained damage to its attenuator system, which is specifically designed to absorb the impact of such collisions. It will be out of service until repairs are completed, according to a social media release posted by the department.

The release explains that firefighters on scene responded immediately, rendering aid to the driver and calling for additional support.

Related stories

A FOX17 report says that Coopersville/Polkton Chief Travis Kroll said the collision could have been much worse without the truck in place.

The report goes on to say that the rig had been service for less than a month.

Another Fox17 report ays after two close calls during the winter, the Northeast Ottawa Firefighter Collaborative (NEOFC), of which Coopersville/Polkton is a part, recognized the need for better protection and developed an idea for a designated safety vehicle, which became Unit 433.

The post Blocking Fire Truck Struck While Assisting with Traffic Control appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Jun 25, 2025

Riverside (CA) Firefighter Injured at Pump Panel During Brush Fire

Brian Rokos
The Press-Enterprise
(TNS)

A Riverside firefighter was hospitalized Monday, June 23, after a car struck him and a fire engine as he pumped water being used to extinguish a brush fire.

The firefighter, an engineer, suffered what Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhost described as moderate injuries. He remained hospitalized Tuesday. No other information about him was made available.

The engineer was one of 29 firefighters who responded to the 2800 block of Canyon Springs Parkway just before 6 p.m. as a fire burned behind a Best Buy and along the eastbound 60 Freeway at Day Street near the Moreno Valley border.

The engineer was at the pump controls when he and the fire engine were struck.

The driver of the car was not reported injured.

A California Highway Patrol spokesperson could not be reached Tuesday to discuss the cause of the crash.

The fire burned less than a half-acre. Investigators could not determine the cause, Vanderhorst said.

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The post Riverside (CA) Firefighter Injured at Pump Panel During Brush Fire appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

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Posted: Jun 25, 2025

EMS Aircraft Points to Potential Future of EMS Operations

Along with a fire apparatus and ambulance, the Pivotal EMS aircraft is another tool for first responders and has the potential to become an additional component within the EMS system. (Photo by author.)

I recall when the William Perry Shultz Training Center in Elk Grove, California, was being planned back in 1995. The developing vision of the future included the current formal training grounds with a proper tower and props for live burns, confined space, vertical ventilation, and confined space rescue.

Fast forward 30 years, and a lot has changed in southern Sacramento County, driven in large part by the ever-increasing 911 call volume from 2,750 instances in 1995 to 24,609 in 2024. The growing impact of the nearby capital city has expanded the number of stations from four to nine and ambulance count from three to eight, with the addition of a squad for Mobile Integrated Health.

Yet much has remained the same, starting with the dedicated, forward-thinking personnel of the Cosumnes Fire Department. Over the decades, the agency has been recognized for its leadership in EMS technology, including being one of the first in the state to have an EMT-II qualified member, establishing a transportation ambulance service, and early implementation of defibrillators, pulse oximetry, carboxyhemoglobin monitoring, and CPAP.

At daybreak, two Pivotal EMS aircraft await the arrival of the Demo Day participants at the Cosumnes Fire Department Training Center. (Photo by author.)

Recently, around 35 members of the region witnessed a whole new level of what is possible. As an advocate of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), I wanted to connect the firefighting community with the concept of AAM and one company in particular, Pivotal, which has an aircraft suited for EMS use, specifically for early on-scene Advanced Life Support (ALS) operations.

Pivotal designs, develops, and manufactures a unique aircraft in the electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) category, which I believe has the potential to save lives by reducing response time to medical emergencies. To get an idea, please watc

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Posted: Jun 24, 2025

Fire Apparatus of the Day: June 24, 2025

FERRARANewton (NJ) Fire Department 77-foot aerial ladder quint. Inferno cab and chassis; Cummins X12 500-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; three-section rear- mount aerial ladder; 500-pound tip load flowing 1,500 gpm; Alco-Lite ground ladders. Dealer: Todd Rudolph, Firefighter One, Sparta, NJ.

PREVIOUS PHOTO OF THE DAY >>

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The post Fire Apparatus of the Day: June 24, 2025 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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