The city of Washougal will continue to fund the salary and benefit costs of two new Camas-Washougal Fire Department (CWFD) positions in 2020, but has not committed to the ongoing funding of the positions in 2021 and beyond. Instead, city leaders hope a recently released “master plan” report can provide not only a long-term solution to the CWFD’s staffing issues, but a way for Washougal to continue — and even bolster — its investments in the fire department.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2019 1:00:47 PM - SOURCE: Camas-Washougal Post-Record

A horse survived a terrifying situation Thursday morning in Graham that left the animal tangled in a live power line. According to Graham Fire & Rescue, a transformer blew which set the utility pole on fire. That caused an active power line to fall onto the horse. Puget Sound Energy cut the power and firefighters put out the fire before cutting the horse free.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2019 10:03:07 AM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13

A deal between Vashon Island Fire & Rescue and the Vashon Park District for contracted fire protection services seems closer than ever following more than a year-long back-and-forth that has delayed an agreement between the two districts. Washington state law says that any municipal organization within the confines of, or adjacent to, a fire district must contract for fire protection services.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2019 1:43:23 AM - SOURCE: Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Wednesday announced that the city would provide firefighters an average raise of nearly 20 percent. The raises will go into effect this January.Fire Chief Randall B. Slaughter called the raises historic. “This pay raise represents the single largest pay enhancement to firefighters in this city in my 29 year career,” Slaughter said.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Atlanta Journal Constitution

Phoenix Fire Department Chief Kara Kalkbrenner announced in a message to the department Wednesday that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Kalkbrenner, who was sworn in as the first woman to lead the department in December 2014, said in the message she will undergo a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery this Friday.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: AZ Central