A Tacoma family had already been devastated by a fire, which destroyed much of their South Yakima Avenue home and most of their belongings. Then, looters broke in and took everything the family was hoping to save and salvage, which they’d spent previous days pulling from the ashes. The fire, which investigators have ruled as electrical, started while the De los Reyes family was away, moving the kids’ grandmother into assisted living, while the father was working on a fishing vessel on the Bering Sea.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said transnational criminal organizations, specifically the CJNG cartel, are mixing fentanyl into illicit narcotics, resulting in a significant increase in overdoses. "For our community, this is a significant threat and something we should take very seriously,” said Frank A.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

Washington state reported over 800 more coronavirus Thursday, one day after reaching a grim milestone of 5,000 COVID-19 related deaths. The Washington Department of Health reported 854 new COVID-19 cases, 34 additional hospitalizations and 20 more deaths in the past 24 hours. State health officials have confirmed 343,090 coronavirus cases, 19,500 hospitalizations and 5,032 deaths since the pandemic began.
- PUB DATE: 3/4/2021 11:57:12 PM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue spent $150,000 on four boats, gear and training for the team, reports WSLS.com.

After Hurricane Michael in 2018, the department realized the need for a swift water rescue team. That need was only amplified after that past year of heavy rain and flash flooding.

The county works closely with Roanoke City’s and Salem’s swift water rescue teams because they’re all part of a statewide Technical Rescue Team.

The post Roanoke County Fire & Rescue (VA) Launches Swift Water Rescue Team appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

According to a report from Blackburn News, the Sarnia Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) in Ontario, Canada, has ordered a new ladder truck costing nearly $1.4 million.

On Monday, the Sarnia city council unanimously approved the purchase as well as a $50,000 prebuild contingency for any minor adjustments.

SFRS Chief Bryan Van Gaver said the department will also seek extended warranties on the apparatus.

Van Gaver also said the town saved more than $370,000 by using Sourcewell and obtaining discounts from the Municipal Buying Group Program.

The post Sarnia (Ontario, Canada) Fire & Rescue Service Orders New Ladder Truck appeared first on Fire Apparatus.