Puget Sound ferry travelers can expect summer delays because last month’s fire aboard the ferry Wenatchee has forced the state to use smaller vessels than normal on several routes. The Seattle Times reports the Washington State Ferries is operating 18 vessels instead of the usual summer fleet of 19 boats.
- PUB DATE: 5/13/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

As the coronavirus outbreak recedes in many parts of the U.S., the Pacific Northwest has emerged as an outlier — gripped by a late spring surge that has filled hospitals in the metro areas around Seattle and Portland. In recent weeks, the governors of both states have hit the brakes on reopening plans in hopes of countering the rapid spread of the more contagious B.
- PUB DATE: 5/13/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NPR.org

Thomasville Fire Rescue was recently awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) of $248,000, which will fund 42 new Dragger Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), reports WALB News 10.

Recipients of the grant are required to also contribute financially toward the purchase of the equipment. The fire department’s current SCBA are 18 years old and three standards behind the current industry standards.

They cannot be refurbished due to the age and lack of parts. The packs also lack the necessary capabilities to provide efficient radio communications.

A new pumper truck has been added to the Wadena Fire Department fleet, reports Wadena Pioneer Journal.

The fire department posted to Facebook, “Many people didn’t know we operate out of two halls. Our South Hall is connected to the police department located at 121 SE Colfax Ave and our North Hall is located at 222 NW 1st St. Reason behind having two fire halls is to have quick response with the railway and Highway 10 splitting town in half. Staffing has 14 firefighters assigned to our south hall and 6 firefighters assigned to our north halls. Assignment is based upon a firefighters residence location to one of our fire halls. Our south hall houses the following trucks: Rescue 4370, Engine 4358, Engine 4357, Tender 4362, Grass 4371, Utility 4373, and UTV 4374. Our north hall houses the following trucks: Engine 4355, Tender 4361, and Grass 4272. With having these halls on both sides of town allows for us to better serve you with quick rapid response. On average first due truck is enroute to a scene within 3.5 minutes of receiving the dispatch page.”

The new truck is a 2021 International MV Rosenbauer Engine with a 1,500 gallons per minute pump and a 1,250 gallon on board tank with a 30-gallon foam cell on board the engine, according to a fire department news release. The truck is also equipped with emergency lighting, a 360 degree LED large floodlight tower on top of the engine that can be raised at scenes, 360 degree cameras mounted on the truck that can be viewed from two LCD camera screens mounted inside the cab and on the pump panel, and automatic pumping capabilities.

The Pella City Council held a special session to approve the purchase of a new fire truck, reports KNIA-KRLS.

The Pella Fire Department used Sourcewell to acquire a bid and the organization combines the buying power of 50,000 government entities, including several in central Iowa.

The purchase agreement with Reliant Fire Apparatus, Inc., is for $666,693 for a new Pierce Enforcer Pumper truck, with delivery occurring after July 1st, 2022.