What began as a call for a backyard fire Sunday led Spokane firefighters to find 11 children living in deplorable conditions. That included six-foot piles of garbage and human feces throughout the home. The call came in for a fire at 6th and Crestline just before noon on Sunday. The fire department’s report details what firefighters saw when they entered the home, which led them to believe the children were in danger.
- PUB DATE: 1/4/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4 Spokane

The new year brings new ways to enhance your safety with symbols on your driver’s license or ID card. Beginning Jan. 1, Washingtonians can choose to add one or more symbols to their ID showing they have a medical condition, developmental disability or are deaf or hard of hearing. The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) said these designations could help first responders communicate with individuals during emergencies.
- PUB DATE: 1/4/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

Emergency responders have been responding to many more calls on Monday, and in some cases it's taken twice as long as normal to get to those calls. Ambulances at Advanced Life Systems are chained up today, but those chains mean they can only drive 20 to 25 miles per hour, meaning it could take twice as long to respond to calls.
- PUB DATE: 1/4/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS 29 Yakima

Officials have agreed to finance a new fire truck for the Freeport (PA) Volunteer Fire Department, reports triblive.com.

Council recently voted to approve a 10-year, $250,000 loan through Volunteer’s Financial Services at a 3.35% fixed rate; that plus $300,000 in capital projects funds will be used to cover the cost of a new custom Pierce apparatus, the report says.

Annual loan payments are listed at about $29,000 and would be covered by the $30,000 yearly contribution the borough gives to the fire department.

The apparatus will replace a 1987 Mack Grumman engine that recently failed a pump test.

The department is currently working on paperwork to finalize the loan; officials say the fire truck committee will meet one more time before production to finalize specifications, the report says. Officials estimate it won’t be ready for delivery for at least 15 months.

Proposed specs include a tank of at least 750 gallons and a pump that can handle 2,000 gallons per minute.

Authorities responding to separate house fires early Monday morning said one man was killed after his home was destroyed by the blaze and another is recovering in the hospital. The Poulsbo Fire Department was battling a house fire when they were called to another in Sawdust Hill. Authorities said the routes to the house were blocked by fallen trees, making it difficult to get to the house and battle the flames.
- PUB DATE: 1/3/2022 5:31:54 PM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000