Kyle Ohashi has appeared regularly on local news channels, websites and in newspapers as the public information officer (PIO) for the Kent-based Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority for the last 15 years. But those days of informing the public about fires and fire safety will come to a halt the end of June when Ohashi retires after 30 years with the department.
- PUB DATE: 6/29/2019 2:19:48 AM - SOURCE: Covington & Maple Valley Reporter

Riverside Fire Authority is in the process of implementing a new policy that redefines situations where firefighters would step foot on property after allegations of an illegal burn. RFA Chief Mike Kytta said the changes don’t apply to fires that are threatening property or people, but are rather intended for law enforcement to respond to calls of illegal burns that are still under control but violate the conditions of burning restrictions or bans.
- PUB DATE: 6/29/2019 2:15:04 AM - SOURCE: Centralia Chronicle

KME Fire Apparatus, a manufacturer of fire apparatus, announces the delivery of eight KME custom pumpers to Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, WA.

These eight engines have been specifically engineered to the department’s requirements. Paul Stueve, Assistant Chief of Logistics for Central Pierce states, “Cascade Fire and KME have provided an experience of responsiveness, a willingness to meet high expectations, and delivery with professionalism.”

These new pumpers are identically built on KME’s Predator® cab with a Severe Service™ interior package. The trucks will serve a diverse area including the City of Puyallup, WA, which is has an urban environment as well as a portion of unincorporated Pierce County.

 Features of the custom pumpers include:

• Predator MFD cab with a 10” raised roof Cab
• Cummins ISX 12 500 HP engine
• Allison 4000 EVS transmission
• Waterous 1500 GPM pump
• FoamPro 2002 foam system
• 500-gallon water tank with 30-gallon foam tank

“The new pumpers have hit the streets, providing service reliably as promised. The feedback from our citizens has been positive with regards to their impressive appearance. From early evaluations by our firefighters, the consensus has been positive on the design features that were specified and how these pumpers perform,” said Paul Stueve.

 KME dealer, Cascade Fire & Safety, of Yakima, WA., provides service and support for Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.  “At Cascade, our mission is providing fire departments with the right products and service for the long term,” said Mark Merritt, Cascade Fire & Safety, President. “Our entire team thoroughly enjoys the privilege of serving the professionals at Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. We are excited to see them get to new levels and reach their goals.”

For more information, visit www.kmefire.com.

A fire heavily damaged a house and three garages in the Hillyard area early Friday morning. It happened on the 2300 block of E. Queen Ave. Firefighters tell KXLY the fire started in a garage, then spread to the house, which is heavily damaged, but not a total loss. A total of three garages on two different properties were burned.
- PUB DATE: 6/28/2019 5:15:38 AM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4

SUPERIOR, WI—The City of Pittsburgh River Rescue Unit, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has selected Lake Assault Boats to construct a 30-foot EMS river rescue vessel. The craft’s primary mission is to perform rescues in response to water emergencies, administer advanced life support (ALS) services, assist firefighting operations, and provide security for the nation’s second largest inland port. The craft will be delivered in fall 2019.

“This is our second craft for the City of Pittsburgh in the past three years, and we’re thrilled to receive this vote of confidence from a city known for its vital waterways and iconic riverfront,” said Chad DuMars, Lake Assault Boats vice president of operations. “This custom craft features fast response combined with a full toolbox of capabilities to address a wide range of emergency scenarios.”

The boat’s Catamaran style hull is engineered for enhanced stability and maneuverability, and it is powered by two state-of-the-art Yamaha 425 hp outboard engines for maximum response time. Slow speed maneuvering is controlled by Yamaha’s Helm Master joystick steering and digital anchoring system. The vessel features a 74” hydraulically operated bow door, a heated front deck, dive step cutouts; and it can deploy a SWAT team and its equipment, including an ATV vehicle. 

“This new rescue vessel will respond to just about any emergency—from a medical situation on a river cruise ship, to a SWAT team’s mission or a fire on a fishing boat,“ said Division Chief Raymond S. Everitt, a 35-year veteran of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire. “In addition, our Unit participates in several mutual aid agreements and there are times we’ll need to travel long distances. The craft’s 45 mph estimated top speed will greatly improve our response time.”

The boat carries an ALS squad on board and is equipped with the same medical gear found on a traditional ambulance. Its 10-foot long, fully enclosed pilothouse has an 80-inch interior clearance height, with ample room to treat patients in space protected from the elements. There is an operator’s captain seat with storage below, additional bench seating, and numerous storage compartments. The helm station features integrated fire pump controls and an overhead radio rack. The craft will carry a full spectrum of electronics, including chart plotter, HD radar, sonar, and a forward looking infrared (FLIR) system, all controlled through two Garmin touchscreens. 

For firefighting operations, the boat is outfitted with a Darley 750-gpm fire pump (stored in a recessed deck compartment) with through-hull suction into a sea chest, and an Elkhart deck monitor and nozzle. Other notable features include a full complement of LED floodlights, warning lights, and spotlights; a hinged radar arch; and an SCBA dive bottle rack.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH RIVER RESCUE 
The Pittsburgh River Rescue Unit combines the efforts of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services' SCUBA Search & Rescue Team with those of the Bureau of Police River Patrol. The Paramedics who staff the River Rescue Units are responsible for water rescue, and for administering ALS emergency medical care. The Police Officers assigned to River Rescue are responsible for piloting the various water rescue craft as well as for enforcing Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Codes. The Unit also provides assistance to the largest number of registered recreational boats in Pennsylvania as well as security for the nation’s second largest inland port.

ABOUT LAKE ASSAULT BOATS

Lake Assault Boats are born in a shipyard, designed for a mission, tes