The Chairman's Corner
GARRY ARANDA
SWAC Fire
Well here we go again! We are half way thru April and I cannot believe
how fast things have passed by this year, is this something that
is relative to our age or just how busy we all are? Don’t forget
about the meeting on the 30th at Lake Dillon Fire, it sounds like we
have a good training session planned. Based on the information
that have I received from Jay, Chris and Ken they are busy getting
things ready for this year’s academy. With all of the extra things
that they are involved with, it is amazing how much behind the
scene work is going on.
I have been in contact with Dennis Edwards from the IDEX corp.
about the heavy hydraulics extrication tools class and am waiting
on the signed contract to be returned for class confirmation. If
you have tools that need service or items that you want to work
on bring them to this class for some hands on training.
Remember this is your association, if there is a fire mechanics class
that you would like to see added to the academy curriculum, be
sure and forward that information to us and we will make every
effort to secure that class for your educational use. I look forward
to seeing and hearing more from all of our members in the
coming months.
.…..Garry Aranda
Vice Chairman's Corner
Jay Powell
Vice Chairman
Contact the Association
www.co-fma.com
COLORADO FIRE MECHANIC'S ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 17961 DENVER, COLORADO
80217
Chairman: Garry Aranda, 303-429-3597,garanda@co-fma.com
Vice Chairman: Jay Powell, 303-972-0734, jpowell@co-fma.com
Treasurer: Chris Nelson, 970-468-7544, cnelson@co-fma.com
Secretary: Ken Roland,720-322-7570, kroland@co-fma.com
Academy Coordinator: Larry Thompson,lthompson@co-fma.com
THE 2008 FIRE MECHANIC DUES WERE DUE IN JANUARY. IF YOU HAVEN'T SENT IN YOUR RENEWAL FEE, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
THE RAMBLER
News from the Secretary
Can you believe it’s spring already??
So much to do, so little time to do
it in. I know we all can sing that tune! OK
so maybe not sing… there’s a reason we
techs, HA! But you know what I’m saying!
Jay, Chris & I made our way to
Mexico again for the Bomberos Academy.
It was another cool experience but it really
drove home the point of proper maintenance
& up-keep of our own equipment. Simple
repairs that may keep our equipment out for
a few days is keeping theirs out for
months…. literally!
Thanks to Marty Blaha of OnSpot
for the training at our last meeting. I’m sure
everyone in attendance got a little something
from it. There was a good exchange of information.
Rich Mirtz of Gates will be presenting
the training on April 30th @ Lake Dillon
Fire Station 11, Keystone. Hydraulic Safety,
Operation, Maintenance & Hose Selection
will be the subject of discussion.
Hope you’re making plans to attend the
Academy this summer, July 28th— Aug 1,
2008. It’s going to be here before we realize
so make sure to get your affairs in order!
Check out the CFMA website for details on
class offerings & schedules.
Thanks,
Ken Roland
Association Secretary
Meeting Agenda
Meeting called to order @ 10:02 am
Treasurer’s Report
Secretary’s Report
Old Business:
Hotel contract needs to be renegotiated, in last year of
contract
CFMA will continue to support the Mexican Academy
David Mathe is working on online mgmt training courses
New Business:
Bylaw Change— Article III, Section 6
Jay Powell move to amend changes
Ralph Jacques seconds the move to amend changes
all in attendance in favor
none opposed
Meeting adjourned @ 10:50 AM
Next CFMA Meeting— January 30,2008
Lake Dillon Fire @ 9:00 am
22393 US highway 6
Keystone (970) 418-7010 (Chris or Jack)
Ken Roland
News From the Academy Coordinator
Larry Thompson
Scuttlebutt
Basic Suspension Maintenance
Feb 12, 2008 2:03 AM
By Chris Cavette, Senior Editor
Suspensions may seem like solid, uncomplicated mechanisms that don’t need any maintenance — but they aren’t, and they do.
Here’s a general guide to basic suspension maintenance that applies to any vehicle and any suspension.
Get the maintenance manual. You can't perform the proper maintenance on a component without a maintenance manual. That
applies to suspensions as much as it does to engines and pumps. The new NFPA 1911 standard requires “… maintenance and
repairs shall be performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations” and “… at least as frequently as recommended
by the manufacturer….” Those recommendations will include specific instructions on what components to check, adjust,
or replace; what tools or methods to use; and how often to do it.
Inspection. Periodic inspections will help detect loose fasteners, deformed or broken components, signs of wear and other potential
problems before they cause more serious problems. These inspections may be visual or may require manipulation of the
components to detect unacceptable motion.
Lubrication. Many suspension components require periodic lubrication. The maintenance manual will include the specific types
and grades of lubricants, as well as the frequency of lubrication. The manual also may include procedures to follow if the components
will not accept lubricants.
Adjustment. Some suspensions may require periodic measurement of certain components and adjustments to bring those values
back to the accepted range. Re-torquing fasteners is one common adjustment. There may be specific instructions on the retorquing
sequence or on the specific torque values based on the model or size of component.
Replacement. In some cases, certain components may have to be replaced based on wear, age, or other factors. Pins, bearings,
wear pads and air bags are among the components that may have to be checked and replaced. The maintenance manual should
include instructions for removal of the old components and installation of the new components.
Whatever suspensions are on your apparatus, make sure to include the proper maintenance procedures and frequencies to your
preventive maintenance program. The difference between a working suspension and a hunk of metal is often only a little maintenance.
Apparatus Makers to Offer Service Training
Dec 6, 2007 9:55 AM
Several companies have announced their service training schedules for 2008. The classes cover everything
from aerials to pumps and are designed to provide fire mechanics and emergency vehicle technicians with
valuable instruction on inspection, maintenance, repair and troubleshooting.
E-ONE offers classes covering aerial and electrical systems on its own products, as well as review classes
for service personnel who want to prepare for the important EVTCC fire apparatus and ARFF certification
exams. All classes are held in Ocala, Fla. To view the complete calendar and register online, go to
www.e-one.com/training
Pierce has classes for electrical, aerial, foam and suspension systems on its products. All classes are held
in Appleton, Wis. To view the schedule, go to www.piercemfg.com/customerservice.html
Hale will hold its operation and maintenance seminars throughout the year. They cover Hale pumps and
Class 1 electronic governors, with an optional session on the first day to cover Hale CAFS. All classes are
held in Conshohocken, Pa. To view the schedule, go to www.haleproducts.com/main/content,30,10.aspx
Spartan Motors will hold its annual Fire Truck Training Conference on Aug. 3–7. The event is a bargain-
priced opportunity to learn more about a wide variety of apparatus components and systems. All
classes will be held in Lansing, Mich. For information, go to www.spartanchassis.com/ft/ftevents.asp
Individual classes and other training events are listed in the calendar section.
Employment Corner
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