The St. Paul Fire Department has proposed a new $600,000 program in the 2022 city budget to embed social workers with firefighters, police officers and other city workers, hoping to improve responses for mental health and people experiencing homelessness. Fire Chief Butch Inks presented the initial plan to the city council last week, but he promised to release full details in the next 30 to 45 days.
- PUB DATE: 9/14/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KARE-TV NBC 11 Minneapolis

There are so few women in Daly City’s Fire Department that the women’s bathroom was converted into a private restroom for male captains. In Alameda County, department-wide communications frequently refer to all firefighters as “he” or “him,” despite the longtime presence of women like Fire Captain Kimberly Larson.
- PUB DATE: 9/14/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: San Francisco Examiner - Metered Site

VIDEO: Another fire early Tuesday morning broke out at a homeless camp. The fire started at the camp off I-5 and Dearborn Street, spreading to nearby brush and trees. KOMO News caught the fire on the Washington DOT cameras around 1:20 a.m., the fire is now out. There are no reports of injuries, but this is already a troubling trend.
- PUB DATE: 9/14/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

A fire that severely damaged all businesses at the Plum Tree Plaza in Edmonds early Saturday morning is now being investigated as an arson. Crews were called to the plaza on Saturday just after 5:30 a.m. after getting reports of flames coming from a business within the small complex at 22315 Highway 99.
- PUB DATE: 9/14/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13 Seattle

Washington's Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz is set to announce the reopening of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lands in eastern Washington on Wednesday, as the wildfire season improves. The DNR lands will reopen on Thursday, following the announcement on Wednesday. Franz and recreation leaders will also address the state of the 2021 fire season as improved weather signals the conclusion of fire season.
- PUB DATE: 9/14/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane