As extreme heat and fires plague much of the West, wildland firefighters go from fire to fire with little end in sight. In the Okanogan Valley of Washington state, firefighters from as far away as Utah and Arizona battle blazes that threaten property and lives. These frontline workers live and work under challenging conditions, and they have little access to fresh produce.
- PUB DATE: 8/11/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Packer

Warren firefighters want a share of the city’s $28 million federal dollars from the American Recovery Program spent on fire equipment, reports WFMJ 21.

The president of Warren Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 204 emailed a letter to 21 News and posted on the local’s Facebook page. The letter urges city residents and business owners to urge city leaders to use some of the ARP funds to purchase fire department apparatus.

A survey will ask participants to rank possible uses for ARP funds on a one to five basis, with one being the highest priority and five being the lowest.

The fire department’s goal is to purchase a total of three new trucks using ARP funds.

Broken Arrow held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate a new fire station, reports KTUL News.

The 11,000 square feet fire station replaces an almost 50-year-old station and features all the modern amenities.

It includes:

• Six modern semi-private bunk rooms
• Three large bays to accommodate modern equipment
• Two captain’s bunks
• Offices
• A common area
• Physical fitness space
• A public restroom for the nearby trails

The city council has purchased a new pumper fire truck, reports The Messenger.

Pierce Manufacturing will build the truck which will be able to pump 1,750 gallons of water per minute and carry 500 gallons of water. The new truck will replace a 2011 model with mechanical problems. In the last fiscal year, 300 hours of labor and $28,000 worth of parts were needed.

The truck is expected to be delivered in late 2022 or early 2023.

Local and state fire crews are continuing to put out the Bonney Lake brush fire that ignited Thursday and are hoping to finish no later than tomorrow, said Jon Parkinson, chief of East Pierce Fire and Rescue. The fire, which grew to about 10 acres, started around 3 p.m. near 210th Avenue East and 132nd Avenue East.
- PUB DATE: 8/10/2021 3:15:33 PM - SOURCE: Tacoma News Tribune