Throughout Washington, the leaders of local chambers of commerce are busy delivering bags of toys to rural fire departments, enabling the firefighters to play Santa Claus for the children who live in their communities. For the fire departments, this is nothing new. They have been giving out toys and food every December for more than three decades as part of the Association of Washington Business’ Holiday Kids’ Tree Project.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Vancouver Business Journal

Firefighters said six people have been hurt in a vehicle crash involving a metro bus in the Seattle suburb of Renton. Renton Firefighters said on Twitter at about 6:13 p.m. that units were responding to a serious vehicle crash at 140th Ave. SE and Maple Valley Highway. Authorities said she dump truck was travelling down 140th towards Maple Valley Hwy and before making turn westbound, hit two vehicles, then a Metro Bus, which then hit other vehicles.
- PUB DATE: 12/2/2021 8:45:14 PM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

Addison Township (MI) Fire Department officials received approval from the township committee for the first step toward making their Station 2 a 24-hour facility, reports oxfordleader.com.

The board authorized the department to get a quote from an architect for a feasibility study and bring the study before the board.

The station, which is part of the Township Complex at 1440 Rochester Rd., was built in 1987, the report says. It doesn’t need more room; in fact, officials say it’s the perfect size and location. However, they say that when it was built it wasn’t intended to house overnight personnel.

To do so the department needs to improve the kitchen, bathroom, dayroom, make suitable sleeping quarters, and the doors and the electrical system also need replacing.

A Midlands (SC) man was killed and two firefighters were injured when a car and fire engine met in a head-on collision Wednesday evening.

Around 6:10 p.m., 71-year-old Christopher Lykes Sr. of Swansea was traveling southbound when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck a Lexington County fire engine.

He was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene. The two firefighters were transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating.

Engineering company Molzen Corbin recently presented three designs for the Peralta (NM) Volunteer Fire Department’s proposed new home, reports news-bulletin.com.

The design includes five apparatus bays, a decontamination area, dorms, an exercise facility, a reception area with office space, a classroom, and other amenities.

However, town officials voiced concern about the proposed project—including funding, the report says. Apart from $300,000 via 2021 capital outlay dollars, council has not identified a funding source for the project.

One official suggested breaking the project—estimated at a cost of $5 million—into phases, with the apparatus bay, storage, and decontamination areas as part one, and the rest split into subsequent phases.

The proposed new site for the facility is on a vacant lot west of the intersection of NM 47 and Molina Road, across from Peralta Elementary School, the report says.