“Brotherhood.” That’s one word that’s used a lot around a firehouse, or when talking about the fire service. But within these tightly-knit groups of brothers are sisters, too, scattered throughout the ranks of career and volunteer fire departments across the country. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), women made up eight percent of the more than 1.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Times Herald

Lawmakers have reintroduced legislation which aims at protecting firefighters and the communities they serve from PFAS and other dangerous chemicals. The Protect Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act was introduced in the Senate Feb. 4 by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, and other lawmakers.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Holland Sentinel

Even though the pace of vaccination has picked up dramatically and the number of daily new COVID-19 cases continues to decline in all regions of the United States, the emergence of new strains of the disease remains cause for serious concern. The COVID Tracking Project has reported that seven-day average cases in the U.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Forbes

Harry Williams, 84, was to be charged with murder in the shooting death of his friend, Spokane firefighter John Batten. Batten had befriended Williams years earlier after leasing some land from the old man west of Spokane. Batten usually made two trips a week out to Williams’ ranch to bring him fruit and other groceries.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Spokesman-Review - Metered Site

Fourteen goats perished in a barn fire Monday night in Battle Ground, according to fire officials. Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue was dispatched shortly after 11 p.m. to the 20600 block of Northeast 87th Avenue for a structure fire. The first engine arrived within five minutes. Firefighters said they saw a large smoke plume nearly a mile away and called for extra units, Chief John Nohr said.
- PUB DATE: 2/9/2021 6:30:51 PM - SOURCE: Vancouver Columbian - Metered Site