CANTON, Ohio, Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) recently counted on The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) to provide its fleet mechanics with training to keep the department's firefighting helicopters ready to perform in high-heat situations. This preventative training is critical to CAL FIRE, which responds to an average of 5,600 wildfires and as many as 350,000 emergencies a year often using specially equipped Huey helicopters to navigate the state's rugged terrain of hills and canyons.

Timken regularly provides training to customers on proper handling, inspection and storage of bearings that are essential to flight operations. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires all mechanics with inspection authorization to complete this type of training to keep their FAA certifications current.

As a service to CAL FIRE's 80 fleet mechanics, Timken waived its normal charge for this vital training.  During the sessions, the team revisited a wide variety of maintenance issues related to aircraft instruments, batteries, hoses, propellers and metallurgical concerns in addition to bearing handling and inspection fundamentals.  

"We were pleased to extend this training to CAL FIRE mechanics whose work is so vital to protecting homes and lives," said Jay Weaver, instructor for Timken's training program. "Working with Timken, CAL FIRE can be assured they are learning from an industry leader that has amassed decades of knowledge in aircraft bearings." 

Timken offers its customers this and other related aerospace maintenance training sessions at the company's Los Alamitos, Calif. facility, where it also reconditions bearings. 

"As a civic-minded organization, we're proud to help educate a group that provides so much value and helps keep people in California out of harm's way," said Scott Radcliffe, Timken's product sales manager, bearing repair.

About The Timken Company

The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR; www.timken.com) keeps the world turning with innovative friction management and power transmission products and services that are critical to help hard-working machinery perform efficiently and reliably. With sales of $4.1 billion in 2010 and operations in 30 countries with approximately 20,000 people, Timken is Where You Turn® for better performance.

SOURCE The Timken Company