WILDFIRES This wildfire season, we’re tracking the location of active wildfires throughout the Pacific Northwest. In Washington state, the wildfire season typically runs from June to September and particularly affects the region east of the Cascades, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
- PUB DATE: 6/6/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Seattle Times - Metered Site

Approximately 15 residents were displaced following a two-alarm fire at a Kent apartment complex early Sunday. Puget Sound Fire crews were called to the apartment in the 700 block of Fifth Avenue South just before 3 a.m. The fire was extinguished by 3:25 a.m. One person was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.
- PUB DATE: 6/6/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

The Symposium hosted more than 70 rescue professionals from around North America to connect with and learn from leaders in the backcountry, confined space, and industrial rescue communities.

The three-and-half day event was kicked off with British cave diver Jason Mallinson, who played a critical role in the 2018 Thailand soccer team cave rescue. Additional lectures were led by Tom Pendley, Kevin Koprek, Russell McCullar, Chris Carlson and Brad Warr, Tom Wood, Micah Rush and Richard Delaney; covering topics ranging from advancements in small team rescue practices to overcoming the challenges of rescuing crew members from a capsized and burning cargo ship. Presentations introduced new equipment and methods for improving speed and efficiency in various rescue environments including confined space, industrial structures, roadside embankments and high-angle backcountry settings. Hands-on workshops were held at the Salt Lake City Fire Department training complex and in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Industrial scenarios at SLCFD included skate blocks, cross hauls and offset vertical/mixed confined space scenarios. The embankment and backcountry scenarios at BCC included highlines, low-angle haul systems, vertical raising and lowering, lightweight systems, rescue litter attendant skills, and tripod applications.

Steve Petty, Business Development Manager for rescue and military, was the brains behind the symposium, which was delayed two years due to the pandemic, “With this event, Petzl solidified its position as a leader and innovator in the rescue market while helping to connect key players and training organizations,” says Petty.

The Symposium couldn’t have happened without the strong partnerships of local rescue teams and organizations who worked to support the field workshops. Special thanks to Salt Lake City Fire Department Heavy Rescue, Unified Fire Authority Heavy Rescue, Unified Police Department Canyon Patrol, Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, Wasatch Cache National Forest / Salt Lake Ranger District, and Utah Recreation.

Petzl prides itself in encouraging continual discussion on improving solutions and systems. The Symposium is the perfect example of how individuals can come together, amidst differences, to learn, discuss and grow.

Rick Freier, a fire investigator who’s been with the Spokane Valley Fire Department since 1999, sized up the students in Cristine Lapke‘s seventh-grade science class Wednesday and looked them in the eyes. Summer is around the corner, which means more kids will be at home and may be tempted to play with fire.
- PUB DATE: 6/5/2022 9:00:00 PM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review - Metered Site

The Westfield Fire Department Wednesday broke ground for its new $12.8 million, 36,000-square-foot fire station and headquarters.

The new facility will replace the current fire station and headquarters at Westfield’s Public Safety Building, as FA reported last year.

Related Articles:
Westfield (IN) Fire Department to Get $13M Station 81; First New Station in a Decade
Baby Box Installed at Westfield (IN) Fire Station

Station 81, to be located at the corner of 171st Street and Ditch Road, will boast eight drive-through bays, a kitchen, bunk rooms, a new training tower, workout room, living quarters, fleet services, locker rooms, and administrative offices.

The city has three fire stations—the most recent was Station 83 on Grassy Branch Road, finished in 2011.

Station 81 is scheduled to open in 2023. More info on it can be found here.