A Maine legislative committee signed off Monday on a proposal to try to help emergency responders better access mental health support. The bill, LD 1879, establishes a presumption that firefighters, emergency medical technicians, police officers, emergency dispatchers and others who are diagnosed as having post-traumatic stress disorder have the condition because of “extraordinary and unusual work stress,” a bill before the Maine Legislature states.
- PUB DATE: 2/8/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WMTW-TV ABC 8 Poland Spring

Yakima County Fire District #5 is looking at nearly $70,000 in damages after a burglary at their storage station over the weekend left them with smashed truck windows, a broken door and missing firefighting gear and medical supplies. Deputy Fire Chief Joel Byam said that someone might be able to sell the stolen medical supplies, but they will have a harder time finding someone to purchase firefighting gear on the street without notice.
- PUB DATE: 2/8/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: YakTriNews

The Sellersville (PA) Volunteer Fire Department says it is in the process of purchasing a high-water truck.

Fundraising efforts in collaboration with Faith Christian Academy have begun for the apparatus, which will be used during flooding events in town and in the surrounding communities.

“The vehicle is capable of traveling through deep water, allowing us to reach people in need,” the department writes on Facebook. “Our friends at Faith Christian Academy are helping us to reach our goal, and when we get there, we’ll have kindergartner Sammy be our Fire Chief for a day! What an awesome experience!”

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A man reportedly set his Lynnwood apartment on fire Sunday afternoon and barricaded himself inside, according to police. Lynnwood police and South County Fire crews were called around 1:45 p.m. to an apartment building with eight units in the 6500 block of 208th Street SW after reports of a fire, police wrote.
- PUB DATE: 2/7/2022 3:42:21 PM - SOURCE: Everett Herald

The Chippewa Valley (WI) Regional Airport fire station is set for a $3.1 million renovation, reports weau.com.

Federal COVID relief funds will see the facility, deemed too small and not up to date, upgraded in two phases: a new bay, which will be built this spring, and office space, which will commence in the fall, according to the report.

Officials say the construction bids will be issued in the next couple of weeks.

The report adds that there are plans to create a training space where the plot of the soon-to-be-razed station sits, with funding approval the only barrier.