Starting today, volunteer firefighters in North Carolina who have served for five consecutive years will be eligible to purchase a lifetime hunting and fishing license from the Wildlife Resources Commission for only half of the full cost. House Bill 597 passed the General Assembly in mid-August and was signed into law later that month.
- PUB DATE: 10/1/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLOS-TV ABC 13

For the first time in its history, Skagit County Fire District 14 in Alger has women accounting for more than a third of its 32 firefighters and staff, a marked change in a field still dominated by men. The women take pride in that the Alger department maintains the same standards across the sexes, something they say is a trait of the fire service overall.
- PUB DATE: 9/30/2019 7:41:31 PM - SOURCE: Skagit Valley Herald (GoSkagit.com)

Grant County Fire District 13 has received a FEMA grant to replace its self contained breathing apparatus, commonly known as “air packs.” The fire district was awarded a grant of $136,926, with a five percent match from the district. The district’s current air packs were purchased in 2004 through a multi-department grant and the air packs are required to be replaced every 15 years.
- PUB DATE: 9/30/2019 2:59:54 PM - SOURCE: iFiberOne

Battle Ground residents will have two opportunities to voice their opinions on the potential for Clark County Fire District 3 (FD3) to annex the city into its jurisdiction. Though the move would raise property tax totals, it would also avoid declines in city services outside of just fire protection, city and district officials say.
- PUB DATE: 9/30/2019 1:03:54 PM - SOURCE: The Reflector

Winter is just around the corner, which means freezing temperatures.  Check your buildings, including any vacant buildings, to make sure there is enough heat to prevent pipes from freezing. Pipes can freeze wherever they are exposed to cold air, even in buildings with insulation.  Pipes that are under sinks and enclosed in a cabinet have the potential to freeze as the heat may not reach the pipes.