South Whidbey Fire/EMS hired three new staff members in January by configuring its team to be more cost effective and efficient. The department filled one vacancy and created two new positions, bringing in-house critical services it historically contracted to outside vendors, the department explained in a press release.
- PUB DATE: 2/6/2021 1:09:21 AM - SOURCE: South Whidbey Record

According to a report from The Greenfield Recorder, Warwick, Rhode Island, Buildings and Energy Committee members will donate around $480 each to help purchase six triple-pane windows for the town’s fire station to make the building more energy efficient.

The station, located off Orange Road (Route 78), has undergone several renovations over the past few years. The project was originally headed up by the Warwick Firemen’s Association (WFA), an independent town entity, until Warwick took ownership of the building at the WFA’s request through a recent Annual Town Meeting vote.

New metal roofing was installed this past Labor Day weekend, and some exterior doors were installed during the fall. According to Buildings and Energy Committee members Steve and Janice Kurkoski, the triple-pane windows are approximately $80 apiece, totaling around $480 for six windows.

Steve Kurkoski said upgrading from double- to triple-pane windows will improve the building’s R-value (an insulating material’s resistance to heat loss) insulation ratings by about 18 percent. The town aims to develop as close to a net-zero-energy fire station through this purchase and further insulating efforts during the ongoing construction process.

The new fire station was built in 2016, providing a larger space than the old station on Hastings Pond Road, which was constructed in 1952. Since then, the WFA has looked at building an addition, which will house a fully accessible bathroom, communications room, new office, and training room.

The post Warwick (RI) Committee to Donate in Support of Fire Station Upkeep appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

Marysville Police say they arrested a 42-year-old man Thursday in connection to series of burglaries and arsons in Snohomish and Skagit counties. The Marysville Fire Marshal alerted police to a series of suspicious fires that occurred over the past month. Police say an investigation into the fires revealed that the suspect was also allegedly involved in a series of commercial burglaries in Everett, Marysville, and Skagit County.
- PUB DATE: 2/5/2021 2:19:54 PM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

According to a report from The Lawton Constitution, Lawton Fire Station No. 2, recently opened to serve Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport and the city of Lawton, is experiencing signs of physical movement in the center part of the building.

The station was turned over to the city of Lawton in early 2020. It was built on the northern edge of the airport along Bishop Road. Crews stationed that are specially trained to respond to aviation-related emergencies at the airport as well as fires and other emergencies in south Lawton.

Airport Director Barbara McNally said that the building is apparently shifting and experiencing movement, with that movement evident in problems with tiles and walls. She also said that, although there is no evidence of structural problems, there apparently is movement that must be addressed.

A geotechnical engineer is slated to be in Lawton Feb. 12 to bore holes in the soil in five locations near the apparent area of shift study the problem. McNally said they will investigate whether ground water or something else is the culprit.

The said the movement appears to be confined to the building’s kitchen, or the center of the building. It hasn’t affected the fire bays or dorms, and engineers say there is no danger to occupants, and none is expected to develop. McNally expects the issue to be corrected.

The post New Lawton (OK) Airport Fire Station Physically Shifting appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

According to a report from The Hattiesburg American, as it awaits its latest engine to pass inspection and be delivered, the Hattiesburg (MS) Fire Department (HFD) is looking for help from its youngest residents to name the new fire truck.

Students in grades K-12 as well as from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) have the opportunity to name the HFD’s latest fleet addition: Engine No. 6. The deadline for submissions is February 10.

The city bought the Pierce Manufacturing engine for $459,900 as part of its capital expenditure budget for the 2021 fiscal year. The engine will be housed at Station No. 6 near USM at 3804 Montague Boulevard, and will be painted in USM’s black and gold school colors.

The engine is the second of HFD’s fleet since 2017 to be commissioned and named. In 2018, the HFD purchased and commissioned Engine No. 4, which was named “Big Red” by the third-graders at Grace Christian Elementary School in honor of Coach Derek “Red” Jarvis from Hattiesburg High School, who died in 2018. Big Red is housed at Fire Station No. 4, located on the Mississippi 42 bypass.

The author of the winning submission will be invited to attend the engine’s commissioning for service ceremony. The city anticipates the newest engine to arrive within the next few weeks.

The post Hattiesburg (MS) Dedicates New Engine to USM, Holds Contest for Name appeared first on Fire Apparatus.