EASTON — Chief Justin Alexander is pleased to recognize Easton Fire Department Mechanic Tim Hicks, who recently received his Master Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) Certification and ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) Master Technician Certification. Hicks is now one of 649 EVT Master Technicians in North America, and one of only six in Massachusetts.
Hicks currently serves as the Easton Fire Department’s dedicated, full-time mechanic, working on maintenance and repairs for the department’s apparatus. Easton has also formed partnerships with multiple other fire departments in the region, through which Hicks also works on their apparatus. Other area departments are in the process of being added to the partnership, which provides them with high quality, timely and cost-effective maintenance on their fleets that is difficult to match anywhere else.
Prior to hiring Hicks in December 2021, the department had no full-time, dedicated mechanic. He came to Easton Fire with a background in heavy truck mechanics, and then began pursuing EVT and ASE Certifications.
EVT Certification is offered by the EVT Certification Commission, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of emergency vehicle service and repair. The certification program provides technicians recognition for the education, training, and experience they have in the service and repair of emergency vehicles.
The Commission recognizes that response and rescue personnel are trained and certified to appropriate levels based on “accepted standards,” such as the NFPA standards for firefighters and fire officers, and believes that the same importance should be placed on training and education for the technicians who maintain the condition of apparatus and equipment used by emergency personnel.
Hicks first achieved Level I and II Certification in the fire apparatus track. He then completed the additional courses and exams necessary for the Master EVT Certification for fire apparatus, which is the highest certification emergency vehicle technicians can receive, and indicates significant skill and training time. He has also received the ASE Master Heavy Truck Certification. ASE Master Technician status is earned when certification is achieved in all required testing areas for that series.
As part of the certification process, Hicks completed a combination of both EVT and ASE exams, which covered the design and performance standards, specialized systems and equipment, and accepted practices used in the service and maintenance of fire apparatus. Topics included inspection and maintenance, electrical systems, drive train, fire pumps and accessories, and more.
Hicks will be up for EVT recertification in 2027. ASE certifications are up every five years.
“Master EVT Certification is an extraordinary accomplishment, and something that Tim put significant time and effort toward,” Chief Alexander said. “He has tremendous knowledge in vehicle maintenance and repairs, and the Easton Fire Department is fortunate to have him.”
He added, “The apparatus we use are intricate. They’ve changed a lot over the years and will continue to change, and it’s beneficial to have an in-house professional trained in all aspects of these machines who understands their complexities and stays up-to-date with advancements. It is important for our vehicles to be reliable as they are crucial to our firefighters’ abilities to provide lifesaving, emergency services to our community. We created this position because we saw significant value in making repairs proactively, which keeps our apparatus in good, working condition.”
Any department interested in discussing working with the Easton Fire Department on apparatus maintenance is encouraged to contact Chief Alexander at 508-230-0750 or by email at jalexander@easton.ma.us.
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