The City of Pasco Fire Department announced Chris Mortensen as its new Deputy Fire Chief on Saturday, April 6. According to the City of Pasco Government, Mortensen is a Tri-Cities native with 18 years of experience in emergency services. His dedication to his community is illustrated through his attending paramedic school at Columbia Basin College, serving as a member of Leadership Tri-Cities Class XXVII and the SARC Board, and holding crucial roles in Grant County and the City of Moses Lake.
- PUB DATE: 4/6/2024 8:36:00 PM - SOURCE: NBC Right Now

A dramatic and stubborn fire erupted at a commercial building in downtown Los Angeles, prompting an early morning response from firefighters. The blaze began shortly before 5:30 a.m. at a single-story structure in the 1400 block of South Main Street. Firefighters arrived at the scene and were initially in defensive mode as massive flames and smoke emanated from the roof of the building, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
- PUB DATE: 4/5/2024 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KABC-TV ABC 7 Los Angeles

VIDEO: Most volunteer firefighters have a full-time job that doesn’t involve putting out fires. But when a call comes in, they step away from work to respond. Now, a newly established program with the Southmont Volunteer Fire Company will reimburse them for every incident they respond to. “So volunteers are unpaid, of course.
- PUB DATE: 4/5/2024 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTAJ-TV CBS 10 Altoona

More than 40,000 people were killed last year in traffic crashes, according to preliminary data released Monday, remaining above pre-pandemic levels but slightly down from their peak in 2021. The new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration adds to concerns that little is being done to address one of the most common causes of preventable deaths.
- PUB DATE: 4/5/2024 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NBC News

VIDEO: New recruits to the Spokane Valley Fire Department are three weeks into their 18-week training program. They have primarily focused on becoming familiar with firefighting gear and equipment in the first few weeks and have now progressed to working with live flames. SVFD Training Captain Brad Huffman says that the program ensures all recruits are ready for anything on day one.
- PUB DATE: 4/5/2024 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane