VIDEO: The southbound Interstate 5 express lanes in Seattle will be closed for the entire Friday morning commute after a semi-truck caught fire, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson. The semi-truck caught fire about 5:45 a.m. after a crash near Mercer Street, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
- PUB DATE: 10/3/2019 4:49:17 PM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

The Castle Rock Volunteer Firefighters Association will “take over” two downtown tap houses Oct. 12 to raise money for the family of late Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Mickel Zainfeld, who took his life on Sept. 19. Crosscut Taproom and Wine Down Dog will donate $1 to Zainfeld’s family for every drink sold that evening.
- PUB DATE: 10/3/2019 4:41:34 PM - SOURCE: Longview Daily News

The Kirkland City Council unanimously voted at its Sept. 17 meeting to establish a community safety advisory group (CSAG) for developing a fire and emergency services ballot measure. The group will review and recommend funding mechanisms, council capital and operating elements for the measure. The measure is slated for the November 2020 general election.
- PUB DATE: 10/3/2019 1:03:43 PM - SOURCE: Kirkland Reporter

The U.S. Fire Administration's annual report on firefighter fatalities in the United States is now available for 2018. Eighty-two firefighters died while on duty: 44 were volunteer firefighters; 33 were career firefighters; 5 were wildland firefighters. The 2018 report identifies all on-duty fatalities to increase understanding of their causes and how they can be prevented.
- PUB DATE: 10/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: U.S. Fire Administration

The Troy Firefighters Union is speaking out about concerns over the number of firefighters on shift at two of the fire stations in the city Eric Wisher, the President of the Troy Uniform Firefighters Association, said at the Bouton Road and Lansingburgh Stations when they get a medical call that means no one is then there to answer a fire call.
- PUB DATE: 10/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WNYT-TV NBC 13