PHOTO: Moses Lake firefighters responded to a fire at a housing development on Grape Drive Wednesday morning to find flames shooting through a collapsed roof. One person was transported to Samaritan Hospital after suffering smoke-related symptoms. Firefighters were able to quickly suppress the fire and then worked on salvaging the property and overhauling the scene.
- PUB DATE: 4/13/2022 11:09:25 AM - SOURCE: NCWLIFE

In an effort to demonstrate its equity, diversity, and inclusion, the West Vancouver Fire Department is featuring a fire truck with indigenous art.

@SquamishNation members joined West Vancouver Fire Rescue to welcome their new tower truck with artwork by Xwalacktun into service with a blended brushing and push in ceremony. This message of a commitment to reconciliation was witnessed by indigenous youth, and dignitaries alike pic.twitter.com/UJqSPYlVWf

— West Vancouver Fire & Rescue (@WestVanFireDept) April 10, 2022

The local police and the North Vancouver RCMP have vehicles with First Nations art, and the fire department wanted to partake, according to a report in cbc.ca.

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The department met with Squamish artist Xwalacktun, who was commissioned to create the piece for the apparatus.

Read more about Xwalacktun, his art, and the department’s new fire truck here.

The La Crosse Fire Department recently broke ground on its new facility on the UW-L campus, a facility that will replace Station 2.

In 2017, a team was tasked with researching the pros and cons of replacing the current facilities, reports wxow.com. The most recent fire station was built in 1967.

The new Station 2 is expected to be finished in spring 2023, according to the report.

The department is also looking to upgrade Station 4, a partially funded project that hopes to break ground in the fall.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance was subjected to a laser attack over Bath Sunday night, which meant the helicopter was unable to land to treat a patient.

The ambulance agency reported:

Our pilot and one of our critical care paramedics on board sustained headaches and felt their eyesight had been affected by the incident.

It was called to attend an emergency on 10 April at 21:42 BST and was approaching Bath, when a green laser beam was shone at it several times.

Its pilot and a paramedic on board sustained headaches and said their eyesight had been affected.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance chief pilot Matt Wilcock said the incident “endangered multiple lives”.

“We were unable to tend to a patient in peri-arrest. This is a crucial moment where our critical care paramedics are able to intervene before the patient goes into full cardiac arrest,” he said.

“The incident also affected our aircrew, meaning we were unable to continue flying for the rest of the shift, with a potential knock-on effect for other patients. The crew will be given full medical checks and support from the charity.

“We are grateful to the South Western Ambulance Service for continuing to support the patient and the local Police, who themselves have recently suffered from laser attacks to their own helicopter.”

He added: “Nobody should be shining laser pens at aircraft. Not only is it illegal and highly dangerous, you never know who that aircraft is coming to help. Just think if it was en route to help you or one of your loved ones.”

Avon & Somerset Police inspector Ruth Gawler said: “Shining a laser at any aircraft seriously endangers the lives of those inside it as well as people on the ground.

“Not only is it extremely reckless but it is also a criminal offence which carries with it the penalty of an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to five years.

“Anyone with information about this incident is asked to phone police on 101 and tell the call handler they’re phoning in relation to log 1134 of 10 April.”

Mike Pavey, Crime and Violence Reduction Officer at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We will be working closely with our colleagues at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the local Police forces to find and prosecute those responsible for this serious crime.

For more information visit Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

This spring, Allendale Township will begin construction on a $7.5 million fire station, reports mlive.com.

The new facility will be built near the intersection of Lake Michigan Drive and 68th Avenue, right next to the current one, and the department is expected to move in by the end of the year, the report says.

The project has been in the works for years, as the current station lacks space and isn’t ideal for the area’s growth. The report notes that Allendale Township saw its population balloon from 20,708 residents to 26,582 from 2010 to 2020.

The new digs will include sleeping quarters, a kitchen area for when it’s converted to a 24/7 staffing model, women’s quarters, restrooms, lockers, and be handicap accessible.

The project won’t result in any tax increases, the report says. Its price tag includes the construction and outfitting of the new building, the demolition of the existing building, and reworked entrances.

Local Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and the Allendale Charter Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) made contributions to the new construction; GVSU contributed $1 million, while DDA donated $3.5 million.

Erhardt Construction is the project’s general contractor, and it will work with Construction Simplified and Architectural Group to complete the project, according to the report.