Four buildings were damaged and a firefighter was injured Tuesday night in a brush fire in North Spokane. According to a press release from the Spokane Fire Department, firefighters responded to the brush fire near East Cleveland Avenue and North Ruby Place around 5:15 p.m. The press release says Washington State Patrol discovered the fire on patrol and notified their dispatch.
- PUB DATE: 6/23/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

A North Spokane restaurant is thanking firefighters during the entire month of July after fire crews protected their building from a brush fire Tuesday evening. Ferraro's Italian Restaurant and Bar on North Division Street is giving firefighters 50% of their entire purchases during the month of July as “sincere appreciation for your hard work,” according to a Facebook post.
- PUB DATE: 6/23/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

A home and RV were destroyed by a roaring fire that also burned trees in a Des Moines neighborhood early Wednesday, officials said. Crews responded to the blaze, in the 23100 block of 24th Avenue South, at about 4:10 a.m. after receiving reports of smoke and flames coming from the home. When the first firefighters arrived, the home was fully ablaze and some trees near the home had caught fire as well.
- PUB DATE: 6/23/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is pleased to announce the Westville Area Fire Protection District will receive funding through the Small Equipment Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal for equipment upgrades.

“First responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” Bennett said. “This equipment grant comes at a critical time for this fire department and will allow them to replace outdated gear that no longer meets current standards.”

The Small Equipment Grant Program was established by OSFM to provide grants of up to $26,000 to support small firefighting and ambulance equipment purchases. A total of $3.3 million was awarded to 149 fire departments and EMS providers across the state through the program.

The Westville AFPD will receive $26,000.

“Departments have had to make tough financial decisions, especially this year during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “The Small Equipment Grant Program helps reduce the burden on smaller departments/districts while replacing aging and sometimes failing small equipment.”

A complete list of recipients and awards can be found on the OSFM website.

Keene residents, city officials and firefighters gathered to celebrate and ceremoniously place a new ambulance into service, reports Cleburne Times-Review.

The new ambulance, a 2021 Ford F-450, includes a number of technology upgrades, like a push of a button on the new ambulance extends the stretcher out then lowers its wheels. 

The Keene Fire Department’s ambulance service dates to 1970.