WHAT IS THE CFEMA

A great deal of emphasis is placed on maintaining the condition of apparatus and equipment used by fire and emergency personnel. What about the people who maintain and repair the vehicles and equipment? What level of training have they received to keep a sophisticated, expensive piece of machinery in proper operating order?

Unfortunately, the contributions of emergency maintenance personnel are often overlooked. The need for training, education, and recognition is the same as it is for fire and emergency personnel.

CFEMA was started in 1989 by a group of mechanics, technicians, and shop personnel from all over Connecticut who were concerned about the growing complexity of fire apparatus and equipment and thought by sharing resources they could improve fire apparatus specifications and design, develop better repair training and information on properly servicing and maintaining emergency vehicles and equipment.

We are a non-profit organization run by volunteers to help the mechanics and departments acquire training on the repair and service techniques, as well as improve the ease of operation and maintenance in the servicing of apparatus and emergency equipment.

We feel we, as emergency mechanics and technicians, are and should be held to a higher standard of excellence for the work we perform. Our work affects the operation of the equipment and the service it provides to the public.

We offer training, education, networking, and technical advice to our members. We support the EVTCC (Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification Commission) testing programs. It is a nationwide program that demonstrates the mechanic or technician has the knowledge and experience to perform the work on emergency vehicles.

Our main focus remains the on-going task of training our member mechanics and technicians in all aspects of fire apparatus and equipment maintenance and repair. We schedule monthly educational seminars on various systems and components. Some of the classes we have had in the recent past are emissions, tires, batteries, lighting, engines, transmissions, generators, pumps, alternators, fluids, fleet safety, NFPA 1901, and shop equipment. Our seminars are held both during the day and after hours at various locations through-out the state. We have visited the facilities of both our corporate members/sponsors as well as equipment dealers and repair shops. These training seminars and workshops provide the in-depth education that our members want and are needed to become EVT and ASE certified. We strive to be the best trained and most prepared mechanics and technicians we can be.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

1) To encourage, promote and support the profession of the Connecticut Fire Equipment Mechanics in accrdance with recognized safety standards and by facilitating training, education and legislation.

2) To provide a statewide and regional voice for the Connecticut Fire Equipment Mechanics.

3) To foster leadership by the Connecticut Fire Equipment Mechanics Association.

4) To improve the professional climate for the Connecticut Fire Equipment Mechanic at the local, state and regional levels through participation in the public policy-making process.

5) To coordinate publications, educational events and materials all designed to educate Connecticut Fire Equipment Mechanic on standards, safety practices and procedures.

WHO CAN JOIN THE CFEMA

Membership is accorded to those persons involved in areas relating to the fire service and the care and maintenance of fire apparatus and equipment. Such as firefighters, firefighter-mechanics, fire department or city/town mechanics, service center mechanics, fire apparatus/equipment sales representatives.

WHAT IS THE TERM OF MEMBERSHIP

The term of membership is for one (1) year beginning January 1 and ending December 31st.

WHAT ARE MEMBERSHIP DUES

One (1) year membership is $25.00 for the individual (active) member and $100.00 for the corporate member.

HOW TO JOIN THE CFEMA

Visit our website, www.cfema.org, and under the "Downloads" section, print out a application and mail it with your remittance to"

Connecticut Fire Equipment Mechanics Assoc

P.O. Box 8582

New Haven, Ct 06531

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Contact one of the following officers:

President Tony Capuano, West Haven Fire Dept                     tonycapnhfd52@aol.com

Vice President Dan Madden, Hartford Fire Dept                      maddd001@att.net

Treasurer Jim Allan, Fairfield Fire Dept                                    jimallanjr@yahoo.com

Secretary Bill Spiegel, West Shore Fire District                        cfemabill@comcast.net