Flooding from the Samish and Skagit rivers has kept first responders busy the past several days. In addition to responding to their normal 911 calls, they have responded to calls related to wind damage and have rescued residents who have needed their help, including some who opted against evacuating flood-prone areas and others who ignored warning signs on flooded roads.
- PUB DATE: 11/18/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Skagit Valley Herald - Metered Site

Tragic new data shows the number of people dying from overdoses has hit a record high. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated more than 100,000 people were killed from April of last year to this year -- that's the most ever over a 12-month period. We are getting a better idea of how the Northwest plays into these 100,000 deadly overdoses.
- PUB DATE: 11/18/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KATU-TV ABC 2 Portland

Kirkland Lake (Ontario, Canada) town council approved the fire department’s request to purchase a replacement for its 1988 Pierce aerial, reports saultstar.com.

Officials say the 33-year-old apparatus stopped working and the repairs would cost C$24,000 for parts and another C$26,000 in labor, and that’s not taking into account transportation costs.

The cost to replace the aerial would be C$1,200,000.00. To boot, renovations to the fire hall door would need to be made to accommodate the new apparatus, which would be around C$30,000, according to the report.

The next step is to send out requests for proposal.

The council meeting can be seen here:

The Salina (KS) Fire Department is donating its Quint 4 to Salina Area Technical College.

The 1994 Spartan Gladiator was scheduled for replacement in 2019, with the department purchasing a 2000 ALF in its stead. Quint 4 has been a reserve ever since.

Officials say Quint 4 still works and even passed inspection in 2021.

Dozens of Andover (MA) residents recently gathered to christen the William T. Downs Fire Station, reports eagletribune.com.

The new station, located at 161 Andover St., was dedicated to former Fire Chief and Selectman Downs. He was a firefighter for 31 years and was one of the first certified EMTs for the town. He served as chief from 1977 to 1986, then became a Select Board member for 12 years after his retirement, the report says.

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Downs’ wife, Bunny, and two of his three daughters also work for the town, officials say.

The old station was more than 120 years old. More information about the project, which began three years ago, can be found here.