A bill to remove oversight on school construction projects could impact student safety in the future, according to some fire chiefs in the state. Proponents of HB 220 say the measure will remove a level of bureaucracy and allow districts to complete projects quicker and cheaper, but opponents, including some fire officials, don’t want corners to be cut when it comes to safety.
- PUB DATE: 4/13/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WIAT-TV CBS 42 Birmingham

As U.S. COVID cases rise, the country is also administering the vaccine shots aimed at preventing the spread of the virus at the swiftest pace ever. Cases are on the rise in 27 states, with Michigan continuing to lead the nation in daily new cases per capita. Following more than 70,000 coronavirus cases reported on Monday, the seven-day average of daily new cases in the U.
- PUB DATE: 4/13/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CNBC

The Yakima County Fire District 5 responded to 10 structure fires in the last 12 days, most required more than one station's firefighters on scene. "Our call volume is really on pace with last year, it's just an odd end of March, first part of April for us as far as structure fire or significant fires," said Deputy Chief, Joel Byam.
- PUB DATE: 4/13/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KNDO-TV NBC 23 Yakima

VIDEO: Orting Valley Fire and Rescue crews are struggling with low staffing numbers ahead of wildfire season. Fire Chief Zane Gibson said during a normal day they have just four on-duty firefighters. Meanwhile, their calls have more than doubled over time. "This weekend we had a CPR call. While they [were] at the CPR call, we had a house fire and with only two crews on duty we can't even cover those calls," Gibson said.
- PUB DATE: 4/13/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

At least two residents of a 32-unit Spokane apartment complex were displaced Sunday by a fire caused by a candle placed “too close to combustibles,” according to the Spokane Fire Department. The fire was reported at around 6:15 p.m. at the West 315 Apartments on Mission Avenue and Washington Street.
- PUB DATE: 4/12/2021 9:26:04 PM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review - Metered Site