THE RAMBLER NEWSLETTER
Vol. 5-6 OCTOBER, 2007
The Chairman's Corner
Jay Powell
Denver Fire
Once again, we are coming up on an election meeting, and we have a great training set for
this one. We‘ll be up at Aims College in the welding shop, and we’ll concentrate on cutting and
gas welding, two areas that aren’t covered in depth in our academy classes. This should be a fun
class, and I hope it’ll be useful to a lot of you. If you’ve taken a class with Paul Hasty, you know
he is an extremely talented welder and teacher. I appreciate his and Chris’s help setting this up.
We’ll have the meeting Halloween day at 9:00 for the business and elections, break for lunch and
then have the class.
I hope to have some new people to put into office this year, we need the help around the
academy and with the things we do during the year. I think some new ideas will help the association
move ahead and cover some of the projects we’ve already got in the works. We just have
more work than can be done by the four of us, and I don’t want anyone to get burned out. If you
feel an interest in joining up, please e-mail the association, we are always looking for another idea
for training or some service.
I have had contact with the liaison from Fire Rescue International, which will be held in
Denver again in 2008. They are interested in the Association providing a truck wash facility for
their vendors again. When we did this in 2005, it was an interesting and fun two days. It didn’t
require much work, and we got a preview of all the apparatus that would be in the show. As a bonus,
we also were asked to help move some of the equipment into the convention center, an interesting
experience in itself. I hope we can find some willing members to help fill some of the time
slots next year to help the Chief’s out. I believe this is worth the investment of time for the return
we get. Keep this in mind, we’ll be bringing it up again.
Once again, thanks to all of you who could make it to the Academy this year, that is what
keeps us afloat and makes all the effort worthwhile. It is a good feeling to have all those plans
made and then actually see something come out of them. No doubt that is what keeps us in the
offices we hold, and keeps us involved with the classes and instructors. I believe this is a great
service to the communities that all of our members serve, and our best chance to help serve the
greatest number of people. Keep coming!
.…..Jay Powell
Contact the Association
www.co-fma.com
COLORADO FIRE MECHANIC'S ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 17961 DENVER, COLORADO
80217
Chairman: Jay Powell, 303-972-0734,jpowell@co-fma.com
Vice Chairman: Chris Nelson, 970-513-4410. cnelson@co-fma.com
Secretary: Ken Roland,720-322-7570, kroland@co-fma.com
Academy Coordinator: Larry Thompson,lthompson@co-fma.com
THE 2007 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
Well here we are again…..another quick
summer is in the books. Hopefully some of
you got to get out and enjoy some it.
Thanks to all those in attendance at this
year’s Academy. We as an Association do
hope it was beneficial & apologize for some
of the mix-ups. We are really making a
conscious effort to listen to your ideas of
improving so please don’t hesitate to keep
the ideas coming.
Special thanks to those students that got shuffled around with classes and accepted the
changes! We know it’s a pain not knowing
which way is up sometimes.
In spite of the relatively few glitches though,
we did get a lot of positive feedback. So we’ll
try to keep the good stuff at the same level &
bring the others along to keep you coming
back.
Thanks,
Ken Roland
Association Secretary
Meeting Notes:
Meeting Agenda
Meeting called to order @ 10:55 am
20th Anniversary shirts are done, approx. $30 per shirt
Form 990 is complete
approx. $7000 operating cash
approx. $5000 savings
Apprentice program is in place
2 students are at Parker Fire
Caleese Taylor, John Thompson
Education Coordinator, John Hogue
Mike Santilli, electrical instructor
Last year of contract at Days Inn
FMCC Meeting
January 26, 2008
Jacksonville, FL
Fire Rescue International Truck Wash, 2008
Meeting adjourned @ 11:37am
Next CFMA Meeting— OCTOBER 31ST,2007
AIMS COMMUNITY COLLEGE @ 9:00 am PAUL HASTY will be the host
WELDING CLASS, TRADES AND INDUSTRIES
GREELEY, CO
PAUL WILL WORK WITH US ON CUTTING TECHNIQUES AND GAS WELDING
Your attendance would be greatly appreciated!
Ken Roland
News From the Academy Coordinator
Larry Thompson
Hard to believe this
year’s Academy has come and
gone already. Thank you to all
that attended and especially to
those that were willing to take
other classes to help accommodate
some last minutes needs.
We realize that this meant some
ended up in a class they had before
but we hope it was still
beneficial. Thus we’re going to
make more of an effort not to
have the same problems next
year.
This year we will begin
the process of getting new bids
for hotel accommodation for next
year’s academy. Our contract is
up this year so we want to jump
on this now to secure the lowest
price we can for you, and us as
well, in the finest facility possible.
I want to try to add
some new classes next year so I
would like to ask all of you to email
some suggestions of what
you would like to see and learn.
If I can get an instructor in to
teach it, I will. We will go over
the suggestions and present them
in one of the upcoming meetings.
I want to apologize for the loss of
the SCBA classes; we will try to
bring them back in the future. We
have to work out some details and
get the trainers interested in the
future classes.
We are trying hard to
get the local tool companies to
attend our vendor days to offer
some discounts and deals, but
since they depend on sales and
daily stops to make their money it
has proven to be a difficult task.
However, we will keep trying.
We have grown steadily
through the last three years,
and that is what we like to see.
We went from an average of 86
to 110 students last year. Well
this year’s number went back
down to 87 but we realize the
various reasons why and as stated
before they will be addressed this
next year.
I would like to make this the biggest year ever, I want to
invite all departments’ chiefs, engineers,
firefighters, and mechanics to
attend a class.
Scuttlebutt
Maintenance records are important.
They can help technicians spot recurring
problems and ensure that work
meets the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Records also can help keep departments
out of court. Even the smallest
departments should keep some basic
maintenance records.
First, every piece of apparatus and
equipment should have its own maintenance
record. This includes vehicles,
generators, rescue tools, hose and
even ground ladders. If something
needs to be inspected, maintained,
tested or repaired, it needs a separate
record. To do this, each item needs a
separate identification number or designation.
Using a vehicle identification
number is a common way to keep
track of apparatus and other vehicles.
Departments may want to simplify the
identification by also noting the unit
number (Engine 2 or Rescue 1, for
example), but the VIN should be kept
on file for absolute identification.
Generators
and other equipment often
have manufacturer’s serial numbers
that departments can use. In some
cases, equipment such as hose and
ground ladders may have to be
marked or otherwise identified by the
department.
Second, the maintenance records need
to be written or kept in a computer
memory with a back-up copy. Undocumented
maintenance histories have
little or no value in tracking problems,
proving warranty claims or defending
your department in court.
The records
should show what work was performed,
when it was done and who did
the work. The person doing the work
should be properly identified, rather
than having the shop foreman or supervisor
sign off for everything.
This
last point is critical. If an apparatus or
piece of equipment is involved in an
accident where someone is injured or
killed, investigators will want to know
if the inspection, maintenance or testing
was performed by a qualified person.
To defend themselves adequately,
departments need to record the name
of the person who actually performed
every task.Third, all the inspections, maintenance and
testing must follow the procedures specified
by the manufacturer and must be performed
at least as often as required by the manufacturer.
Accurate maintenance records can help
show this was done. Rather than make the
records too long and unwieldy, departments
may choose to write standard operating procedures
for certain detailed tasks, such as
pump or aerial tests, and simply refer to
those procedures in the maintenance records.
Keeping good records of tests also can help
establish and maintain a department’s Insurance
Services Office rating.
ISO requires periodic
performance tests of pumps, aerials,
hose and other equipment to ensure they are
still in good operating condition. Departments
will lose points if they cannot prove they have
successfully conducted these tests according
to the required schedule.
Keeping maintenance records can help in
other ways. They can help mechanics spot
recurring problems on the same or similar
apparatus and equipment. This is especially
important when more than one person may
have worked on an item and may not be
aware of its maintenance history.
Not only
can this help identify the problem or provide
a point to begin troubleshooting, but it also
may point to a specific solution. In some
cases, the fact that work was recently performed
in a certain component may lead
technicians to investigate further if a seemingly
unrelated problem now occurs. For example,
a new radio installation may have
inadvertently caused an electrical problem in
the same area.
A periodic review of maintenance records can
also help departments identify escalating
maintenance costs for a certain piece of apparatus
or equipment and may be a basis for
budgeting a replacement. The records can
provide written proof of the labor, parts and
outside services required to keep an older
item in service and also can demonstrate the
amount of time the item was out of service
and not available.
To help departments with their maintenance
records, NFPA 1911, Inspection, Maintenance,
Testing, and Retirement of In-Service
Automotive Fire Apparatus, 2007 Edition,
offers maintenance checklists, out-of-service
criteria, testing procedures and sample forms
and reports.
Annex A of the latest edition has a wealth of explanatory material relating to
specific sections of the main body of the
standard.
Annex B provides instructions on
how to conduct pump tests, including helpful
information on what to do if something
goes wrong during the tests, how to calculate
the results and the effect of altitude on
the tests.
Annex C includes detailed instructions
on how to develop a preventive maintenance
program and includes sample
forms for the daily/weekly walk-around
check for apparatus, the quarterly/annual
apparatus inspection report, plus forms to
record the results of pump, aerial, lowvoltage
electrical system, foam proportioning
system and CAFS performance tests.
Annex D provides guidelines for placing
apparatus in frontline and reserve service,
including recommendations on when to
replace older apparatus.
Although most people don’t like paperwork,
keeping some basic maintenance records
can help service technicians and departments
alike. Start with a single apparatus
or piece of equipment, refer to the appropriate
maintenance manuals, develop a
form to record information about maintenance
and testing on that item and expand
from there. Good maintenance records
don’t have to be complicated, but they do
have to be written down and maintained to
be of value.
By Chris Cavette, Senior Editor
In Service On Line Newsletter
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT?
The master mechanic of a New England fire department was placed on paid administrative
leave after one of the department’s apparatus was involved in a fatal accident.
The accident occurred earlier this year and resulted in the death of one of the firefighters.
Although an investigation revealed that mechanical failure was not a factor in
the accident, there were several significant shortcomings in the vehicle maintenance
and records.
Among the findings of the investigation was that the apparatus involved had not been
thoroughly inspected in 14 months, despite a department policy to inspect it every 12
months.
After the accident, state inspectors found problems with the front and rear
brakes that should have placed the vehicle out of service under state department of
transportation standards.
Employment Corner
See the "news and events" page
Position Wanted:
Paul E. Conley
19973 E. Oberlin Place
Aurora, CO 80013
303-699-0348
PaulE991@msn.com
Objective: To establish a career and utilize my proven mechanical
experience and exceptional communication skills in the service
of this progressive and highly respected company.
Work Experience Dates Attended>: September 2004-Present
Company Name: Swift Transportation
Position/Title: Mechanic
Primary Responsibilities: Full service and repair on commercial fleet
vehicles. Extensive heavy line repair. Constant preventative maintenance
and service. Intermediate knowledge and experience in various computer programs and
applicable transportation software for electronics, diagnostics and troubleshooting of
heavy duty commercial engine management systems. Intermediate knowledge and experience in
global satellite tracking and mobile positioning systems (omnitracs).
Extensive field service and experience.
Dates Attended>: November 2003-August 2004
Company Name: Carson City Sheriff's Office
Position/Title: Deputy Sheriff
Primary Responsibilities: Sworn law enforcement officer. Intake and
custody of inmate personnel into detention. Transportation of inmate personnel.
Official Spanish speaking translator and interface between non-English speaking
inmates or illegal alien personnel and law enforcement and other government officials.
Dates Attended>: June 2002-January 2003
Company Name: Arapahoe Hyundai
Position/Title: Technician
Primary Responsibilities: Full service on all Hyundai vehicles new and used; various import and domestic used vehicles and extensive customer service and
relations.
Extensive computer diagnostics and troubleshooting work and experience for various automotive electronic engine management systems.
Dates Attended>: July 1999- June 2002
Company Name: Waste Management
Position/Title: Mechanic
Primary Responsibilities: Full service on various refuse vehicles.
Extensive heavy line repair and service on refuse vehicles.
Extensive field service work and experience.
Extensive diagnostic (engine management systems) fabrication, electrical and electronic repair.
Extensive troubleshooting and repair of various specialized operating systems such as, Hydraulics, PTOs, Pump apparatus, Air operated
microswitches, Hydraulic valve bodies and controls, Air valve bodies and controls and pneumatics.
Extensive shift work (multiple shifts per week.)
Hazardous material handling. Shop translator and interface between non-English (Spanish) speaking drivers and technicians. Assistant foreman.
Dates Attended:> December 1988-September 1992
Company Name: U.S. Army
Position/Title: Infantryman Spec.4
Primary Responsibilities: Indirect fire control (Mortars). Indirect fire gunner.
Indirect fire assistant gunner. Squad leader. Security Specialist and bodyguard for the Vice President of Panama and family.
Breach master and Explosives. Airborne. Air Assault. Radio operator. Combat Life Saver (medical). Operation Just Cause. Operation Desert Storm.
Education Institution: Arapahoe Community College
Degree>: none
Completion Date: n/a
Description: 12 semester hours general/core courses and material.
Institution: Austin Peay State University
Degree>: none
Completion Date: n/a
Description: 13 semester hours general/core courses and material.
Institution: Richland College
Degree>: none
Completion Date: n/a
Description: 23 semester hours general/core courses and material
Institution: Arapahoe Community College
Degree>: Law Enforcement Certificate
Completion Date: 2 May 2003
Description: Graduate 4/22 Law Enforcement Academy. 91.4%tile.
Certifications Date Received: 2 June 2003
Company Name: Colorado Peace Officer's Standard Training
Title: P.O.S.T
References: Joel Unrien
Waste Management
Sr. Manager of Maintenance.
303-797-4627
Edwin J. Brand
U.S. Army N.G. Ret. LTC
303-979-7150
Robert Thompson
Sr. Sales Rep.
Wyleco Tools
303-883-4775
Brian Brown
Maintenance Bureau Chief
Parker Fire
720-274-3801
Additional Information: Awarded employee of the month for Swift Transportation November 2004. Promoted to class sergeant of Arapahoe Community College
Law enforcement academy.
See the "news and events" page
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