A new pilot program called Health One is in its third week at the Seattle Fire Department to respond to calls that aren’t considered emergencies. There were 96,000 calls to the 911 center in 2018. About 42 percent of them were considered non-emergency, according to the city of Seattle. The pilot program provides services to non-emergency calls, and keeps resources free for emergencies that need immediate attention.
- PUB DATE: 11/21/2019 7:56:36 AM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13

The Clallam Fire District 2 Board of Commissioners has selected Justin Grider as the department’s new deputy fire chief, a position that has been vacant since July 1. Grider was sworn in Tuesday evening and his first official day was Nov. 4. Grider most recently served as the volunteer training/coordinator with Clallam County Fire District No.
- PUB DATE: 11/21/2019 2:34:55 AM - SOURCE: Port Angeles Peninsula Daily News - Metered Site

It’s a slice of small-town America that’s disappearing across the country. Just like the mom-and-pop hardware store, the volunteer fire department is being replaced with big-city professional departments. In the Florida Keys, only two all-volunteer departments have managed to hang on, along with volunteers serving on paid departments.
- PUB DATE: 11/21/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Miami Herald

Two former city firefighters, both African Americans, have filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming they were the victims of racial discrimination, retaliation and a hostile work environment, especially under the leadership of retired Fire Chief Joseph Dooley. The 15-page lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Superior Court in Union County, charges that Joseph Braxton and Mark Bullock were subjected to "racial comments and jokes" daily.
- PUB DATE: 11/21/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: My Central Jersey

Kansas City’s interim fire chief, Donna Maize, will become the first woman to lead the department, the city announced in a press release Wednesday. Maize, who was serving in City Manager Troy Schulte’s office, took the helm as interim chief in September when Gary Reese stepped down. Schulte on Wednesday appointed her to the permanent position, which she had indicated previously that she didn’t plan on pursuing.
- PUB DATE: 11/21/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Kansas City Star