The South County Fire Board of Commissioners has selected Thad Hovis to serve as Fire Chief of the regional fire authority. Hovis was sworn-in during the board’s Aug. 5 virtual meeting via teleconference. A 25-year fire service veteran, Hovis has been serving as interim fire chief since the retirement of Fire Chief Doug Dahl at the end of March.
- PUB DATE: 8/5/2020 2:54:43 PM - SOURCE: Lynnwood Today

A fire broke out west of Cheney Wednesday afternoon. Because the flames were so close to homes, it triggered a massive response. As two planes dropped water on the fast moving flames, and crews on the ground worked to contain the blaze, law enforcement from Cheney and Spokane County went door-to-door telling people they needed to leave right away.
- PUB DATE: 8/5/2020 2:37:34 PM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

In the midst of an evolving pandemic, very little is absolutely certain. So it can’t be said with unwavering surety that the cautious and calculated approach taken by emergency responders in Spokane County is to credit for their relative good health – but it certainly didn’t hurt. As community spread of COVID-19 continues to rise in Spokane County, the number of first responders out of work remains low, despite the close quarters in which they often work and high-risk situations they enter.
- PUB DATE: 8/5/2020 5:57:40 AM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review

This summer’s pandemic-altered traffic configuration in downtown Hyannis has led the village Fire Department to adapt, too. And for now, at least, two wheels could be better than eight to ensure rapid emergency response in the downtown area. Last week, the department initiated bicycle patrols on Main, North and South streets and on Ocean Street near the harbor.
- PUB DATE: 8/5/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Cape Cod Times

The first fallen Columbus Firefighter is finally receiving a headstone at his gravesite after 150 years. Mark B. Newman was a Columbus firefighter in the 1800s, he also worked as a police officer. Newman was recognized as the first Columbus firefighter to die in the line of duty more than a century ago.
- PUB DATE: 8/5/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSYX-TV ABC 6 Columbus