The Spokane City Council begrudgingly pulled $3.4 million from city reserves to compensate for the Fire Department’s massive use of overtime pay this year. The city has pledged to conduct a review of its sick leave usage after overtime pay surged this year, exacerbating an issue members of the City Council have been calling out for several years.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2021 6:32:09 PM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review - Metered Site

The Colorado Springs (CO) Fire Department expects to spend upwards of $8.5 million on a new station in the northeast part of town, near a heavily contested proposed subdivision that’s been delayed by wildfire evacuation concerns, reports gazette.com.

The new facility, to be located near Colorado Highway 83 and Interquest Parkway, expects to serve an area boasting 1,000 emergency calls per year, the report says. The station will fall in the 7-mile gap between Stations 19 and 22.

The city was planning for the station before residents began opposing a new 250-home subdivision in that area over evacuation concerns, officials say. The yet-to-be-approved Kettle Creek North subdivision—to be north of the Powers Boulevard and Old Ranch Road intersection—is on the outskirts of the agency’s goal response times, the report says, which would be ameliorated by the new facility.

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The funding for the new station came via voters who allowed the city to retain up to $20 million for wildfire suppression efforts, according to the report. It also allowed the city to reset its Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights cap, which allowed it to budget an additional $17 million for 2022.

The city expects to break ground on the northeast station next year and finish it in 2023, officials say. It will have one engine and brush truck staffed by

“The County of Vermilion River (Canada) was pleased to participate alongside the Village of Paradise Valley and the Paradise Valley Fire Department, on the unveiling of the recently acquired Ford F550 Rescue Apparatus to be stationed at the Paradise Valley Fire Hall.

“Director of Protective Services Kirk Hughes, the County Fire Chief representing the County, alongside Paradise Valley Fire Chief Nicholas Dobson and former County Fire Chief, Orest Popil, did the official handover and christening of the new truck on Wednesday at noon.”

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The Rock Springs (WY) Fire Department will request permission from city council Tuesday night to pursue a $1 million FEMA FY 2021 AFG to purchase a new fire apparatus, ambulance, and replacement fire hoses, reports sweetwaternow.com.

Council will decide at its meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. at City Hall about the grant, which would require a 10% match from the city.

The department is also seeking permission to apply for a $214,000 FEMA AFG to purchase portable, mobile, and base station radios, the report says. That grant would also require a 10% match.

Kennewick Fire investigators did not say where the initial report came from. From a report on Twitter, Kennewick Fire Chief Chad Michael said crews were sent to the Double Dragon Chinese Restaurant at 3107 West Clearwater around 3:20 AM Tuesday morning after a call about of a fire. Upon arrival crews reportedly could see flames inside the building.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2021 12:21:17 PM - SOURCE: KEYW-FM 98.3 Pasco