A federal judge in Spokane has denied a motion to halt Washington’s vaccine mandate for state workers and emergency responders. A group of state workers is suing Governor Jay Inslee, Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste and others. The workers say their civil rights are being violated.
- PUB DATE: 10/25/2021 3:46:22 PM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4 Spokane

Brighton (New Zealand) volunteer firefighters recently took delivery of a new fire truck, reports odt.co.nz.

The apparatus—housed at the department’s Cole Street station—will be used by the 18 volunteers to respond to medical alerts, vehicle incidents, search and rescue operations, and natural disasters, in addition to local fire and emergency calls.

It has a larger size and a more user-friendly layout than its predecessor, officials say.

Newman Lake (WA) Fire and Rescue added two new vehicles to its fleet—Squad 13-1 and Squad 13-2: smaller, lighter, and easier-to-maneuver-than-brush-trucks medic trucks, reports spokesman.com.

The heavy-duty, 4-wheel-drive apparatus are large but still a couple feet narrower than the brush trucks, officials say.

They’re designed to carry 500 gallons of water and fire hoses, and can carry more EMS equipment than the brush trucks, according to the report. Squad 13-1, based out of Station 1 on Starr Road, also carries the technical rescue equipment. Squad 13-2 is based at Station 2.

The new trucks also can carry five people, as opposed to the three a brush truck can fit. The brush trucks will still be used to respond to fire calls, officials say, but they’ll go on fewer runs.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released a free, engaging online training program to help more than 29,000 fire departments in the United States improve existing public safety drone programs and establish new drone initiatives.

Small-unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), or drones, have made a rapid transition from hobbyist toys to serious life-saving tools in recent years. Recognizing that drones can support public safety preparedness efforts and supplement emergency response tactics, fire departments across the country are expanding their use of viable drone technology. The transformation underway will likely improve public safety outcomes, while presenting new challenges for both fire service drone program administrators and the fire personnel charged with operating such aerial technologies.

“Drones offer the fire service increased situational awareness advantages during structural and wildland firefighting attack, search and rescue missions, HAZMAT assessments, and natural disaster response. And they can effectively augment public safety planning efforts, as well,” said Christian Dubay, P.E., NFPA vice president and chief engineer. “But in order to be safe and successful, it is important for fire department drone programs to be built in accordance with FAA regulations, regional rules, and the guidance found within NFPA 2400, Standard for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Used for Public Safety Operations.”

The new NFPA online learning is designed to provide recommendations and best practices so that fire departments can take their drone programs to a higher level.

The four-hour, self-paced modules with interactive videos, immersive virtual reality tools, and other dynamic components are designed to help first responders grasp and remember important drone safety information.

The new training and related content, which has been curated to assist fire service administrators and operators create, manage, and maintain drone programs that are in sync with proper public safety protocols, can be found at nfpa.org/drones. Development of the training was made possible by a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant.

This latest online training offering for the fire service was spearheaded by the NFPA emerging technology team who has produced other beneficial virtual education solutions in recent years on potential emergency response hazards such as energy storage systems (ESS), alternative/electric vehicles (AFV/EV), and flammable refrigerants.

Visit nfpa.org/drones for free online training for fire service drone administrators and operators.

For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research, and resources, please visit the NFPA press room at <

Rescue 22, a new state-of-the-art emergency vehicle was welcome by El Paso (TX) firefighters at a wet-down ceremony on Thursday (Oct. 21), according to a report published by CBS4 News.

The wet down ceremony dates back into the 1800s we crews washed the apparatus, hand-dried them and then pushed them back into the station, by hand, the television station reported.

The new truck will replace a 10-year-old apparatus with 315,000 miles on it, the station reported.