For at least the last three years, as Washington has seen some of the worst wildfires in recent memory, state Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz has pushed legislation to try to get a permanent funding source to fight and prevent fires. She's failed each time. The Legislature balked at a tax on property and casualty insurance and it balked at a surcharge on insurance premiums.
- PUB DATE: 1/12/2021 8:54:18 AM - SOURCE: Yakima Herald-Republic

Fire crews put down a large structure fire at Victory Transportation caused by an oil spill. According to Spokane County Fire District 10, personnel from Spokane Fire Department, Airway Heights, Fire Districts 3 and 10, Fairchild and American Medical Response were all on-scene. The shop next to the Victory Transportation building is a “total loss,” and a semi trailer nearby was also destroyed.
- PUB DATE: 1/12/2021 1:29:12 AM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4 Spokane

A Hamilton County Sheriff's deputy was checking on what he thought was an abandoned vehicle in a wooded area Saturday night, but his quick action might have saved a woman’s life. Newly-released body camera footage shows the life-saving efforts of the deputy, who discovered the woman passed out and having a medical emergency behind the wheel of her burning car.
- PUB DATE: 1/12/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCPO-TV ABC 9 Cincinnati

VIDEO: Within a year of a crash that killed two first responders and critically injured another, Lubbock Fire Rescue has taken steps to keep its personnel more secure when responding to crashes. Another tactic is in development. “We can’t sit there and allow tragedies to happen,” Lt. Phillip Grandon said.
- PUB DATE: 1/12/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KCBD-TV NBC 11 Lubbock

Illinois Senate passes law extending protection measures for first responders and essential workers for another six months. The law established back in the spring allows essential workers and first responders to file for workers' compensation benefits if they contract COVID-19 during the course of their employment.
- PUB DATE: 1/12/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WAND-TV NBC 17 Decatur