VIDEO: A fire in the 22000 block of SR243 South near Mattawa at Central Washington Wine Production Group is sending columns of smoke into the air. Crews are working to contain the fire. The facility reportedly holds 4.5 million gallons of wine. No report of injuries or risk to the public, Grant County Sheriff’s Office said in a release. Firefighters from Grant County Fire District 8, Grant County Fire District 3, Royal Slope Fire and Hanford Fire responded to the scene.

KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

The post Fire erupts at facility storing 4.5 million gallons of wine near Mattawa appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

After nearly 35 years in firefighting service, including eight in Yakima, the chief of the Yakima Fire Department will retire at the end of June. According to officials with the City of Yakima, Yakima Fire Department Chief Aaron Markham has announced he is retiring and his last day in the position will be on June 30. Markham has served as Yakima fire chief since June 2018. Markham’s career in fire service began in 1991, when he joined the Sunnyside Fire Department in 1991 as a firefighter and EMT.

“Aaron has served the City of Yakima and the Yakima Valley extraordinarily well over more than three decades,” said Yakima City Manager Vicki Baker in a written statement. “He has had a distinguished career in the fire service and demonstrated a deep understanding of how to administer a fire department and the complexities of providing a wide range of emergency response capabilities. His shoes will be difficult to fill.” Baker said a process is underway to find a replacement fire chief after Markham retires.

Apple Valley News Now

The post Yakima fire chief to retire after 35 years in fire service appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

PHOTOS: A stranded paddle boarder on the Columbia River is safe after someone nearby stepped in to assist crews with Pasco Firefighters. The department said firefighters responded after getting a call about the individual stuck on the river. When crews reached the dock, they met Dylan Grad, who had heard about the situation as it was happening. Firefighters said Grad gave Firefighter Neidhold a ride out to the paddle boarder so the crew could free the anchor. Pasco Firefighters said that help made the response easier. The department publicly thanked Grad for helping with the response.

KNDO-TV NBC 23 Yakima

The post Pasco firefighters thank good samaritan for help with paddle board rescue appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Over morning coffees, Raisin Squad members kept talking about the pros and cons of rear steamer connections and their locations.

The post Cantankerous Wisdom: More on Rear Steamers appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

VIDEO/PHOTOS: By the time firefighters at Northern Lakes Fire District arrive on scene, crucial decisions are already due. “Usually 30 to 60 seconds,” Recruit Brenden Barry told NonStop Local “You’re usually doing it while you’re doing all the other essential skills.” And making crucial, life or death decisions, all while dealing with a fire that’s often unpredictable and chaotic, Barry explained! “There’s lots of yelling and lots of communication because it’s super loud in there,” Barry said. “It’s easy to get tunnel vision in these areas.”

But when the tunnel vision sets in, the Firefighters at NFLD have a tool in their arsenal: a tactical pause. “Take time to make time,” Barry explained. “It’s just a quick pause, kind of collect your thoughts.” Tactical pauses, just one of the many mental-health related tips the NFLD’s 10- person recruit class received as part of their 10-week training. Chief Kevin Croffoot told NonStop Local that the extended training is really due to some extra funding from a passed bond. “This is the first time we’ve done 10 weeks,” Croffoot said. “They’re a little bit more equipped to start heading the road sooner.”

KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

The post Mental Health and more part of 10-week Idaho firefighter training appeared first on Daily Dispatch.