The National Institutes of Health announced Wednesday that it was awarding nearly $470 million to New York University Langone Health for research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 to ramp up an unprecedented national effort to study so-called "long COVID." The federal money will be divvied up by NYU to fund more than 100 researchers at institutions around the country, accelerating work to build a sweeping "meta-cohort" encompassing thousands COVID-19 survivors of various ages and backgrounds who are still experiencing symptoms more than a month after their initial infection.
- PUB DATE: 9/16/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CBS News

Clouds are building and temperatures are cooling across Washington state. After a summer of what the Washington Department of Natural Resources considers the worst drought since 1894, will this weekend’s rain event put an end to the wild record-setting 2021 fire season? “I would say to you that we are now at the very tail end, and we’re seeing a very strong sense of relief,” said Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz.
- PUB DATE: 9/16/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

North Boston Volunteer Fire Company has taken delivery of two Toyne PRV™ XL Pumpers, reports Carroll Times Herald.

Last month, the fire department posted to Facebook, “The day is almost here when North Boston will take delivery of two 2021 Toyne PRV Rescue Pumpers to continue the tradition since 1904 of protecting the residents of the Town of Boston. Members of the truck committee are currently in Breda, IA completing final inspection. Impressive work by Toyne and their dedicated employees.”

The department needed apparatus capable of carrying a wide range of equipment while providing highly capable pumping support. Designs called for customized roll-out shelving and slide-out toolboards. Engine 3 and 4 can each hold 8 SCBA bottles in special wheel well compartments, with additional custom SCBA storage located in the body.

The PRV XL Pumpers are equipped with a 1,000-gallon UPF tank, 1,500-GPM Hale Qmax pump and an Akron 34450 monitor with an electric riser for fire suppression. Toyne specially built the pump control panels on NBVFC’s PRV apparatus to slide out from their stored position in the body to conserve space.

Two food trucks will be on call to provide snacks, beverages, and mobile kitchens to Toronto Fire Services, reports blogTO.

History was made when @GTMAA took possession of the club’s newest canteen unit. We would like to thank @Toronto_Fire , the Apparatus Committee, the Mechanical Division, Division Chief Rob Anselmi, Acting District Chief Steve Buckingham, and everyone else that helped. pic.twitter.com/gNSBA7rCpI

— GTMAA (@GTMAA) September 15, 2021

These trucks provide crews with the essentials for their demanding jobs, without the frills we’ve come to associate with food service on wheels.

San Diego County’s first heli-hydrant is now accessible to the region’s fleet, reports KPBS.

The 5,000-gallon water tank can be continuously refilled and remotely controlled by a helicopter pilot.

This partnership is known as the Rapid Aerial Water Supply system. It’s designed to proactively combat wildfires and protect life and property.