Published Saturday, 1/29/2022, 2300 PT
We decided to put the band back together for our news coverage from Fire Departments across the United States and around Globe, bringing to you all fresh happenings, events, and local news.
Enjoy and stay safe y’all!
ALASKA
Fairbanks Firefighters: On Friday, January 28th, there were 22 calls, three of these fires, 19 EMS calls and eight held ambulance calls for service, which had an average of 44 minutes to wait. This union represents the City of Fairbank Firefighters (45 members) and the career staff of the University FD (10 members).
CALIFORNIA
Contra Costa County Fire Protection: 30 new firefighters with a pre-Academy orientation was held on January 27th in Concord. They are experienced fire personnel from agencies around the State of California. After a short “lateral” academy they will join the ranks as probationary firefighters with Con Fire.
San Diego Fire and Rescue: A response to the City’s Zoo, where about 160 people were stuck on the Skyfari ride due to four suspects vandalizing the machinery and causing it to stop working. The fire department showed up and rescued all those inside. The four suspects were quickly arrested as the incident was unfolding.
San Rafael Firefighters: Future Fire Station 55 renovations are in progress. Crews and apparatus have been temporarily moved to the other side of the lot as construction begins on their brand new living quarters.
Sonoma County Fire District: Several gently used “SCBAs” and three TICs were donated to their partners at the Santa Rosa Junior College – Public Safety Campus in Windsor. These precious invaluable assets will be used to train firefighter recruits through their Fire Training Academy.
On January 25th, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved funding for support for consolidation of the Bodega Bay Fire District into the Sonoma County Fire District. The anticipated live date is scheduled for July 1, 2022.
U.S. Forest Service – Los Padres National Forest: The USFS is looking to add highly motivated entry-level applicants to join their ranks as wildland firefighters. This would be for the Sundowner Handcrew in the Ojai Ranger District. Selected individuals will attend a 2-week paid training where they will learn wildland fire behavior basics, Fireline safety, and teamwork.
To learn more, submit an interest sheet by selecting the following link: Sundowners AD Fire Crew – Interest Sheet: https://tinyurl.com/426v8dfmAPPLICATION DATES: OPEN: February 20, 2022 – CLOSE: February 26, 2022, @ 5:00 PMLink to outreach Sundowners Outreach 2022: https://tinyurl.com/mr36wyzm
Ventura FD: BC Kris McDonald has been promoted to Assistant Fire Chief. He is a career employee with 26 years in the fire service and 18 years with the VFD. He also has experience as an Incident Commander. Chief’s McDonald’s story can be found here: Read Assistant Fire Chief Kris McDonald’s full story here: conta.cc/3GcEz6N
COLORADO
Arvada FD: On Saturday, the FD said goodbye to one of their old reserve engines from 1997. This engine was donated to the Howard VFD in a small rural town outside of Salida who have been using an engine that is 47 years old and requested they receive some help for equipment through Colorado’s Chief’s Association. Additionally, other tools were donated to the Howard Fire agency to help them out.
ILLINOIS
City of Champaign FD: One of their own was injured during a structure fire on January 26th in the 300 block of Flora Drive was injured was in the hospital recovering from his injuries. He was released from the hospital on January 28, 2022. He is at home resting with his family. The fire was ruled accidental which had injured one firefighter and displaced two different households.
INDIANA
Evansville FD: Captain Jay Paul was promoted to District Chief on January 27th.
KENTUCKY
Versailles FD: In the month of January, the agency hired eight new recruits. For the 1st time ever, they are holding a VFD full-time 400-hour recruit class, in addition to the volunteer FF 150-hour recruit class.
MAINE
National Park Service: Wildland Fire (Forestry Aid/Technician) opening in Bar Harbor. https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?k=firefighter%20jobs
NEW MEXICO
Sunland Park FD: The fire agency responded three times to a third brush fire inside the Santa Teresa Country club in a single day.
OREGON
Halsey Fire: KC Coon, a volunteer firefighter with the Department was recognized in their Volunteer Spotlight column on their Facebook page for the amazing work he does for the Oakville Fire Station. He has been a volunteer since 2013 and has helped the district with maintenance-type issues with saving the District money.
Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue: 19 new recruits joined on Thursday of last week in a swearing-in ceremony held at their Training Center in Sherwood. They will become members of Recruit Academy 22-01, which will begin their training on February 1st. On March 1st, six additional members will join the academy as well, as they will become future Medics to FF-Medics.
TENNESSEE
Chattanooga Fire Department: FD Officials searching for suspect(s) breaking into Firefighters’ vehicles.
WASHINGTON STATE
Arlington / Stanwood Firefighters: A long and difficult commercial fire broke out at the North County Recycling and Transfer Station on Friday evening. This was in the area of 63rd Avenue/
Bothell Fire Department: Crews head to Gold Bar for multi-company officer drills which involve working with multi-fire agencies from neighboring jurisdictions. Since firefighters rely heavily on mutual aid, training with their partner agencies helps to be prepared and by being all on the same page. Real-life emergency simulations were conducted which include a house fire with occupants inside the structure, venting a house to searching for victims.
Camano Island Fire and Rescue: Behind the scenes when it comes to fire service vehicles and testing of their equipment. They test their ladders, pump trailers, and other equipment according to the NFPA standards.
Central Pierce Fire and Rescue: CPF&R’s mechanic Peter Admundesen retired after 21 years with the agency, on January 28.
Clark County Fire District 6: Pump Academy was held today at Fire Station 61. The objective is simple: teach those to drive a fire engine and learn how to operate its pumps.
Eastside Fire and Rescue: The fire agency is looking for their next Fire Cadets for their Fire Cadet Program for those aged 16-20 years old. More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/flx/warn/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eastsidefire-rescue.org%2F249%2FFire-Cadet-Program%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2E_gaaW1zeTSnSYnwKhCkwS2fFu5FMahK-bnqzxVJd6cjPpoXripe4vYE&h=AT2ScHQJ-pGLTvlS6tBcke1Y3qyzr7A71SyG_WAoi3N98BD-7ADmAk3LKKAIbazw0Eq49XmtngTyrFj52SQ_q932CEwWxFqosdxjwbUN6HsyU9uINxjd6BycBT2p9k0MQlP9VN2GNbSIlkeWPVUri58AEAu1FxkGasQdI_08XrRJVL0gkqDGH_CUeMyHM7ymJLXGKfdgQTXJ-okC-QnQ0cf9ju6BvBTzapjy_k_y04niFDKIDU82XuMzD0TlxfO3zqrVWgXHONVxI-dqpex_gAYIzWiTG78a1EPDRgWBqity_Xs
Enumclaw Fire Department: 3 new recruit firefighters were added to the EFD ranks after graduating from the Fire Training Academy. They are filling three vacant positions.
City of Everett Fire: FF – Medic. Everett, WA. https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Firefighters&l=Bellevue%2C%20WA&radius=100&start=10&vjk=9fc2c728ee53f74e
Gig Harbor Fire and Rescue: GFR’s call volumes have increased in 2021 by 3% than last year’s service calls. EMS calls were up by 8%. The Fire Agency has an EMS Levy which is up for renewal at the end of the year 2022. A Bond request is said to be also sent to voters prior to the Levy for aging stations, building a new training center which they don’t currently have. Most stations, they say, were built in the 1980s for almost full volunteer staffing levels. Now, they are staffed with as many as six-to-nine career firefighters per shift.
Grays Harbor Fire District 2: Career Opportunity: PM/FF, Grays Harbor Fire District 2. Aberdeen, WA. https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Firefighters&l=Bellevue%2C%20WA&radius=100&vjk=861d71a69af39b5f
Marysville Firefighters: MFD firefighters visited the San Juan Islands today to promote their Vote YES on EMS, Support SJI Paramedics.
Mountain View Fire and Rescue: FF Bean successfully completed his JATC 2A practical test on January 27, 2022. This included hose evolutions, SAR, SCBA skills, ladder, and forced entry. This portion of his testing takes about three years and a large portion of his time with ongoing training to become a 1st class firefighter. He is due to take the written part of the exam soon.
City of Mount Vernon: FF – Medic. https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Firefighters&l=Bellevue%2C%20WA&radius=100&start=10&vjk=32bc5273c486c743
Port of Seattle: FF Mechanic. Seattle, WA. https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Firefighters&l=Bellevue%2C%20WA&radius=100&start=10&vjk=042f2c0ef08e3a38https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Firefighters&l=Bellevue%2C%20WA&radius=100&start=10&vjk=042f2c0ef08e3a38
Renton Regional Fire Authority: Fire Officials are asking the public to only call 9-1-1 with life-threatening emergencies or crimes in progress as the Dispatch Center is working to keep lines free for real emergencies. For Example: Do not call about COVID testing. For testing information, go to the King County Public Health website: kingcounty.gov/covid/sites
Seattle Fire: Seattle had a somber day today as they celebrated the life and passing of one of their own, Firefighter Matt Runte. A Celebration of Life was held today in honor of his memory.
Snohomish County Fire: Career Opportunity: Lateral FF-EMT. Everett, WA. https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Firefighters&l=Bellevue%2C%20WA&radius=100&vjk=123148f6e8674a73
South County Firefighters: This SW Snohomish County fire agency has job opportunities available and they are inviting those interested in applying.
Tacoma Fire Department: Fire Station 7 was hit by multiple gunshots in a drive-by shooting on January 26, 2022. No firefighters were injured but this could have easily turned into a worst-case scenario for them and those who may have been visiting the station.
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