According to a report from Your Daily Globe, pending approval of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant, the Wakefield (MI) Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) may get a new fire truck with an estimated value of $500,000, said WVFD Chief Mike Singleton.

The WVFD’s baseline grant request will be for $276,000, but Singleton said that a final amount of $500,000 is possible. Receiving the full amount would mean the WVFD could purchase the best custom-built vehicle to suit their and the community’s needs. Singleton also said that the department is planning a smaller grant request for new extrication equipment, which is expected to cost about $42,000.

The WVFD’s existing extrication equipment cost $7,500 and is gas-powered, whereas the new equipment, if funded, would be battery-operated.

Singleton is expecting the Wakefield City Council to issue its approval of the applications in a special meeting before February 4, which is FEMA’s set due date for approval, with a response to the applications being received by about mid-summer. However, Singleton does not fully expect both grants to be approved.

If truck funding occurs, it could take a year or more before the department receives the new vehicle. If t arrives, the WVFD may sell its 1990 pumper, which is still in service but does not meet modern-day standards. Department members should expect to continue using a 2005 pumper tanker and a 1991 brush truck, both of which are in good working condition.

The post Wakefield (MI) Fire Department Seeks Grants for New Truck, Equipment appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

Freezing rain and snow cause traffic problems in D.C. area

Lesly Salazar, WJLA/ABC7 News with permission

CHEVY CHASE, Maryland (ABC7 News) – Roads are still slick after a mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow fell overnight, and accidents are being reported around the region.

Late Monday morning, all lanes of the Beltway’s outer loop were closed past exit 33, MD-195/Connecticut Avenue.

Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services spokesman Pete Piringer tweeted that a fire engine was struck while on the scene of another collision. Piringer also reported “several collisions” on I-270.

Update – OL I495 Between Connecticut Ave., and Rockville Pike, @mcfrs PE707 struck while on scene, at least 1 or 2 lanes get by to right, @MDSHA working to clear scene/debris & treat road – BTW air temp ~ 30°, road temps about the same https://t.co/4B5bdfIZVN pic.twitter.com/eZmcC8LP3D

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) February 1, 2021

In Frederick County, one person died after a recycling truck slid off an icy road.

Also in Frederick County, a tractor-trailer and SUV collided on I-70 westbound, creating lane closures. Amazingly, no one was injured.

This morning, a multi-vehicle crash closed all lanes of Route 28 at McLearen Road in Fairfax County for a time. At least six vehicles were involved.

The northbound lanes of the George Washington Parkway were closed after VA-123 due to a crash, as well.

The post Maryland Fire Engines Struck While Blocking on Highways appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

VIDEO: Firefighters protected nearby buildings from flames that tore through an auto parts storage center early Tuesday in Cypress Park. Over 100 firefighters were battling the fire in the community north of downtown Los Angeles. Crews responded to the 1000 block of N. San Fernando Road at about 4 a.
- PUB DATE: 2/2/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KNBC-TV NBC 4 Los Angeles

VIDEO: Dramatic video shows first responders rescue two people from a vehicle submerged into Long Island Sound during the nor'easter on Monday afternoon. Two people were in the pickup truck when it went 35 feet out into the water. Only the bed of the truck was sticking out. A woman in the truck got out through the rear window and was able to get onto the bed of the truck and out of the water, but a man in the truck was stuck.
- PUB DATE: 2/2/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WABC-TV ABC 7 New York

The Goodyear Fire Department is one of the first fire departments in the country to take a major step toward preventing firefighters from getting cancer from the important work they do. Goodyear opened up Station 186 near Willis and Rainbow Valley roads in early January. The station is one of three that will be built with special air partitioning systems to keep carcinogens away from firefighters in between calls.
- PUB DATE: 2/2/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPNX-TV NBC 12 Phoenix