Fire Chief

Twenty years ago, the International Association of Fire Chiefs organized and funded a meeting of fire chiefs, fire mechanics and apparatus manufacturers to discuss a significant increase in apparatus maintenance issues and liability. As a result of that first meeting, the Apparatus Maintenance Section was created, the Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification program evolved and NFPA 1901 grew muscles.

Over the past 20 years, the fire mechanics have evolved parallel with the technology in emergency apparatus. Fire chiefs have recognized that the mechanics-turned–emergency vehicle technicians are now a critical part of their department‘s team.

Six years ago, FIRE CHIEF magazine‘s In Service approached the Apparatus Maintenance Section with the idea to recognize and raise the awareness of emergency vehicle technicians with an annual award.

This year, Spartan Chassis became the official sponsor of the 2008 Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year Award, which was presented at the IAFC‘s Apparatus Maintenance Section‘s annual workshop in Denver.

Among the nominees received this year was Craig McDonald, president of McDonald‘s Towing & Rescue and Emergency Vehicle Products, Comstock, Mich. McDonald is a state-certified Master Mechanic for heavy-duty trucks and EVT.

The letter nominating Texas Association of EVT member Tom Price, Coppell, Texas, stated that Price recently was certified as an EMT (on his own time) because Price felt if he understood the work the personnel do, that he would have a better idea of how his repairs or how problems affect the fire personnel and the patients.

Twenty-nine–year equipment maintenance specialist Tom Sova, Boca Raton (Fla.) Fire Rescue Services, was nominated after being selected as Florida‘s 2007 EVT of the Year. Sova holds master certifications for ambulance and heavy-duty fire apparatus and maintains 33 pieces of emergency vehicles.

From the nominees, the Apparatus Maintenance Section Board selected Don Dominick, Master Mechanic for the Stillwater (Okla.) Fire Department, as the 2008 Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year.

Dominick started his career with the city of Stillwater‘s fleet maintenance 29 years ago. He has 16 separate ASE certifications, most recently an EVT Certification Master Ambulance Technician.

In presenting the award to Dominick, Spartan Vice President Bill Foster said, “Without the mechanics of the fire service, the ‘pride don‘t ride.‘ They have a great responsibility in the role of keeping all of our equipment [Department of Transportation] inspected and on the streets every day and that‘s a major goal, especially with budgets and budget cuts. There are no budget cuts with DOT and safety and those are important factors that the mechanics have to deal with.”

Supporting the 2008 EVT of the Year award, Larry Dodson, OEM Account Manager, Allison Transmissions Inc., said, “We are honored to support such a prestigious award. With the continuing improvement on our products, someone needs to be updated and aware of the products. We have a product that is dependable and with technicians like Don Dominick who keep them running.”

Dominick said, “What an honor to be awarded this recognition and I appreciate my department and my administration for the honor. I appreciate FIRE CHIEF and the Apparatus Maintenance Section for recognizing the technicians that are out there doing their jobs.”

Fire Chief Marion Blackwell kept the announcement a secret from Dominick. “Don is an outstanding member of our organization, very family-oriented and many times goes above what is required,” said Blackwell. “It‘s hard to find employees like that today.”

Blackwell also commented that Stillwater surrounded by volunteer departments. “Our relationship with volunteers is extremely important, since we‘re an hour from both Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Don is always willing to help the volunteers‘ with their apparatus to keep it operational.”

In his letter nominating Dominick, Asst. Chief of Administration Tom Bradley wrote, “… as his direct supervisor, I have come to the realization that this department could not function effectively or efficiently without Mr. Dominick‘s expertise.”

Congratulations also to the IAFC‘s Apparatus Maintenance Section on 20 years of educating chiefs and officers on emergency vehicle apparatus specification and maintenance.