As U.S. COVID cases rise, the country is also administering the vaccine shots aimed at preventing the spread of the virus at the swiftest pace ever. Cases are on the rise in 27 states, with Michigan continuing to lead the nation in daily new cases per capita. Following more than 70,000 coronavirus cases reported on Monday, the seven-day average of daily new cases in the U.
- PUB DATE: 4/13/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CNBC

The Yakima County Fire District 5 responded to 10 structure fires in the last 12 days, most required more than one station's firefighters on scene. "Our call volume is really on pace with last year, it's just an odd end of March, first part of April for us as far as structure fire or significant fires," said Deputy Chief, Joel Byam.
- PUB DATE: 4/13/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KNDO-TV NBC 23 Yakima

VIDEO: Orting Valley Fire and Rescue crews are struggling with low staffing numbers ahead of wildfire season. Fire Chief Zane Gibson said during a normal day they have just four on-duty firefighters. Meanwhile, their calls have more than doubled over time. "This weekend we had a CPR call. While they [were] at the CPR call, we had a house fire and with only two crews on duty we can't even cover those calls," Gibson said.
- PUB DATE: 4/13/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

At least two residents of a 32-unit Spokane apartment complex were displaced Sunday by a fire caused by a candle placed “too close to combustibles,” according to the Spokane Fire Department. The fire was reported at around 6:15 p.m. at the West 315 Apartments on Mission Avenue and Washington Street.
- PUB DATE: 4/12/2021 9:26:04 PM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review - Metered Site

The Springfield Fire Department received a $33,000 grant for three new pieces of HURST eDRAULIC waterproof battery-operated rescue tools, reports WJHG.

The funds came from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. Each piece is designed to assist the department with severe car accidents and injuries.

The equipment will be put out into the field following a demonstration at the department on Friday.