Joseph Fiala

City of North Tonawanda Fire Department Mechanic

Joe's call letters on the radio are: M1

 

"We, the members of the North Tonawanda Fire Service Mechanics Association, strive for the best mechanical ability for repairing fire apparatus, to gain superior knowledge through training and job experience, and uphold the ideal that fire apparatus must be the safest vehicles on the road."

 

Here are a few photos of our mechanic in action !

From the vast library of up to date technical manuals, Joe just finished looking up valve stem cap torque specifications for a 1991 Caprice Classic(6 inch/lbs). He told me it would be 6 inch pounds before he even looked it up ! Amazing !

Snow tires are thoroughly inspected each season. Here Joe demonstrates the elbow sidewall tire load test. This type of rigorous testing is performed as required by the manufacturer.

Below are just a small sampling of the Fire Mechanics duties

To actively support and uphold the City's stated mission and values. To plan, supervise and participate in the operations within the Fire Maintenance Division; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to the maintenance of fire safety equipment.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

Receives direction from an Assistant Fire Chief or from other supervisory or management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over maintenance staff.

Examples of Duties:

This class specification is intended to indicate the basic nature of positions allocated to the class and examples of typical duties that may be assigned. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Service all Fire Department vehicles, fire pumps and their components, stand-by power supplies, such as auxiliary generators, as well as other complex fire apparatus on a regularly scheduled basis.

· Supervise major and minor repairs on all Fire Department apparatus and equipment, such as engine overhauls, major pump repairs, hydraulic equipment repairs to ensure they will perform under emergency conditions.

· Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for the purchase, repair and maintenance of fire apparatus and equipment; monitor and control expenditures.

· Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.

· Train, supervise and evaluate employees assisting in the repair, maintenance and proper methods of operating fire apparatus and equipment.

· Make major improvements or modifications to new or existing fire apparatus in accordance with departmental needs and specifications.

· Maintain communication with members of the Fire Department to ensure apparatus and equipment is properly cared for and maintained.

· Maintain and repair all tools and appliances carried on fire apparatus.

· Maintain complete and accurate maintenance and repair records for all apparatus and equipment.

· Attend training courses, read and study assigned materials related to emergency operations and fire apparatus maintenance.

· May drive and operate motor driven equipment including pumpers and ladder trucks.

· Keeps the fleet of 1990's era vehicles of the NTFD in like new mechanical order.

· Drink Mountain Dew.