The Kern County Board of Supervisors took a series of steps Tuesday to address a looming budget crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. One of those steps included passing a $3 billion preliminary budget for fiscal year 2020-21, but the most prominent may have been the reduction of firefighter overtime benefits that the County Administrative Office said exceeds federal labor standards.
- PUB DATE: 7/1/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Bakersfield Californian

EaseAlert is a pre-alert system designed to alert firefighters of an emergency before the alarm sounds in their station. It was created by young entrepreneurs Blake Richardson and Elezar Tonev with the goal to reduce stress and improve efficiency for firefighters. “My dad has been a firefighter most of my life.
- PUB DATE: 7/1/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCJB-TV ABC/CW+ 20 Gainesville

For the first time in 73 years, the town’s fire and EMS departments will operate as one unified department beginning Wednesday. The unified department, the result of merging the Coventry Volunteer Fire Association and the North Coventry Volunteer Fire Department, will be known as the Town of Coventry Fire/EMS Department.
- PUB DATE: 7/1/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Journal Inquirer

Over 10 Everett fighters are currently quarantined in their homes after being exposed to coronavirus over the weekend. The Everett Fire Department said 10 firefighters are quarantined following a co-worker who reported being ill after a work shift. The firefighter needed medical attention and tested positive for COVID-19.
- PUB DATE: 7/1/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000 Seattle

A fire spreading that is burning hundreds of acres has shut down Canyon Road between Selah and Ellensburg. The fire has sparked near milepost 21 of SR 821. SR 821 is closed at MP 3 near Sundown Ranch and at MP 24/Thrall Road in Kittitas County. Crews on scene say between 300-500 acres have burned.
- PUB DATE: 7/1/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS/CW+ 29 Yakima