A new plume of smoke is pouring from the Yakima River delta fire on Columbia Point South in Richland. Brush that had been smoldering from the 85-acre fire along Highway 240 spread and ignited the undeveloped area south of the twin Interstate 182 bridges, according to Richland Fire and Emergency services.
- PUB DATE: 4/30/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tri-City Herald - Metered Site

VIDEO: The Washington Department of Health (DOH) is adjusting the way it allocates COVID-19 vaccines. The state said the change would ensure vaccines reach more people statewide and where they are needed most. COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed pro-rata, meaning doses were allocated to counties based on the size of their population.
- PUB DATE: 4/30/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

Firefighters rescued nine dogs from a fire that destroyed a house in Stevens County Thursday morning. Stevens County Fire District 1 says a person passing by along Redman Road noticed smoke and flames in the house and called firefighters. Fire District 1, Spokane Fire District 4 and Deer Park Ambulance arrived to put the fire out.
- PUB DATE: 4/29/2021 6:42:16 PM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4 Spokane

The Wilbraham Fire Department will receive $8,976 and the East Longmeadow Fire Department will receive $15,000 as part of a $4 million Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program, reports The Reminder.

The funding will benefit 294 fire departments around the state. A variety of equipment is eligible for purchase with the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program, including protective firefighting gear, thermal imaging cameras, radios, rescue equipment and gear washers and dryers.

In East Longmeadow, the grant will cover the cost of firefighter gear and an upgrade to the exhaust system for the station. Wilbraham will use the funds to procure a “ram,” part of the “Jaws of Life” set of equipment.

During a City Council meeting, officials considered the costs to replace or demolish a Satellite Beach fire station, reports Hometown News.

The city is moving the current fire station due to flooding concerns. Annual maintenance for the current fire department structure is $60,000.

The building is approximately 30 years old and is showing signs of age and the current driveway does not meet Florida Department of Transportation traffic intersection requirements. Public works estimates that repair for the driveway will cost $30,000.

After a series of hurricanes in 2005, the city replaced the roof of the fire station, but it will need to be replaced in the next two years due to loss of protective material.