The operator of a rogue drone that harassed Salem firefighters from the air was put on probation for two years Tuesday. “It was an absolutely stupid mistake,” James Russell Weeks III said during a sentencing hearing in Roanoke’s federal court. “I totally regret the decision I made.” Weeks, 40, had earlier pleaded guilty to operating an unregistered aircraft the day he piloted his drone over a Salem fire station, swooping down repeatedly on firefighters and police officers who were gathered outside.
- PUB DATE: 2/24/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Roanoke Times - Metered Site

South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) covers 287 square miles and serves 540,000 residents of the southern metropolitan area of Denver. During 2021, SMFR responded to 44,760 in-district incidents and 29,422 or 66% of those were medical; 20,458 of the medical calls resulted in transport to the hospital. When safely possible, SMFR administers medical assistance in the field that assists and hastens patient care upon arrival at the hospital.
- PUB DATE: 2/24/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Villager Publishing

Fire investigators are looking into the cause of a house fire near Twisp overnight Wednesday morning. Okanogan County Fire District 6 reports people living in an adjacent home were awoken by barking dogs to a fire across a driveway at the property’s main house on Buttermilk Lane. Several engines arrived after tones went off at 3:39am and firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading beyond the home’s second floor.
- PUB DATE: 2/24/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPQ-AM 560 Wenatchee

Decorah city officials had been surveying a trio of locations for a potential new fire station, but they’ve now narrowed that list down to one: the existing City Hall property, reports decorahnews.com.

Officials say the Heivly Street property is the best location for the new facility.

The city is still mulling whether to embark on a $10 million project, which would include some remodeling of City Hall, or a $15 million project, which would include major upgrades to City Hall, according to the report.

City council said that a further study is needed before committing to a project of either magnitude; a special city council meeting or a study session are potential outcomes.

Fallon Churchill Fire Department is excited to announce that it has recently contracted with Darley Company to custom build two new fire engines for the Fallon/Churchill County community. The new additions will be direct replacements for Darley Engines that have served the department for more than 25 years. 

The relationship between Darley Company and the Fallon/Churchill Volunteer Fire Department is 30 years strong and expected to be mutually beneficial for many more.

“Two things have become evident in the past few decades: Darley Company makes an incredibly strong and robust product and 27 years is a lot to ask of any piece of equipment,” Fire Chief Jared Dooley said.

Earlier: Fallon Churchill VFD Seeks Voter Approval for Fire Equipment

As equipment ages it requires more maintenance to make sure it remains a viable tool with which to fight fire. This maintenance can require parts that are hard to find or parts that no longer exist.  “We are fortunate to have a great maintenance staff that work diligently in-house and these individuals make every possible effort to keep equipment up and running,” Dooley said.  

The new engines, manufactured by Darley Company with some help from Spartan Chassis, are expected to arrive this fall.

“The engines will have all the functionality of their predecessors, but with all the amenities and safety options you expect in something new,” said Alex Haffner, supervisor of paid personnel. The engines will be outfitted with polymer bodies to help prevent rust and with 10-man cabs to bring all the manpower needed for any incident. A 2,000 gallon-per-minute pump will sit in the heart of these engines ready to deliver as much water as is needed.  

Upon their arrival in Fallon, these two new engines will be further outfitted with lights, GPS, decals, satellite phones, hand-held radios, computer workstations, AED machines, first-aid kits, and self-contained breathing apparatus for each seat. 

“We are very excited to see these two giants in their rightful spots here at Station 1,” Dooley said.

The Fire Department would like to extend a special thank you to the Churchill County voters who approved Question Number One in 2020, which continued an existing tax override specifically earmarked for the purchase of necessary equipment and fire engines. The funds collected through the tax override during the past nine years were used to purchase these two engines.

“It is with great anticipation that we look to the future and our ability to serve the community with these new purchases,” said Dooley.