A bill passed by the Washington State Legislature will make 911 dispatchers eligible for workers compensation benefits if they suffer from post-traumatic stress. Under the state’s insurance laws, workers who suffer a disability or injury on the job are entitled to benefits, but rules exclude claims based on mental conditions.
- PUB DATE: 3/10/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPTV FOX 12 Beaverton

Bellevue firefighters are mourning the passing of the department's first and only Disaster Search Canine. "Libby was a fixture around the department for many years as she participated in open houses, school presentations, CERT classes and structural collapse rescue drills," Bellevue firefighters wrote in tribute on their Facebook page.
- PUB DATE: 3/10/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

Fire fighters from Richland, Pasco and Kennewick grabbed their gear and climbed Badger Mountain for a good cause on Sunday. A post on the Richland Fire and Emergency Services Facebook page states that the Annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Society stair climb in Seattle was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
- PUB DATE: 3/10/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

Fire departments across the Tri-Cities are taking extra steps to protect themselves and patients amid novel coronavirus concerns. The Kennewick Fire Department and others have COVID-19 medical kits. They were created by the department and contain multiple items such as disposable sheets, masks, pillowcases, blankets, gowns and more.
- PUB DATE: 3/9/2020 4:45:53 PM - SOURCE: YakTriNews

After several fires and alarm calls over the weekend, the Spokane Valley Fire Department is urging residents to have home inspections and to make sure that carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors and sprinklers are all functional. Monday morning, fire personnel battled a fire at Longhorn Barbeque on Argonne.
- PUB DATE: 3/9/2020 2:55:00 PM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4