VIDEO: High school students from across Oklahoma are competing in the second annual state drone championship, where they are using drones to complete search and rescue challenges inspired by real-world emergencies.

The two-day competition at Lake Carl Blackwell is designed to help students develop skills for Oklahoma’s fastest-growing industry, as more first responders turn to drones during emergencies.

“One of the scenarios is a snake bite victim. Here at Lake Carl Blackwell, we have snakes, so there is a downed victim that is hurt and needs a tourniquet. They have to launch their drone, are given their dispatch scenario, find their code, report it back but also drop a tourniquet,” said Natalie Noles, director of business operations workforce development at Oklahoma State University.

Students from Ada High School participated in a challenge to locate a missing hiker who had taken cover from a storm.

KOCO-TV ABC 5 Oklahoma City

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VIDEO/PHOTOS: A firefighter was shot, and a suspect died after Renton police officers returned fire in an Albertsons parking lot Thursday night, according to Renton police.

Police said officers were called just before 8:30 p.m. to the parking lot in the 4600 block of NE Sunset Boulevard to help the fire department with an unconscious person in a vehicle.

As officers arrived, they heard a gunshot, and a firefighter at the scene was struck by a bullet. Officers returned fire, shooting and killing the suspect, police said.

The firefighter was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

The Renton Firefighters union, IAFF Local 864, called it a “horrific situation no firefighter should ever find themselves in” in a post on X and asked people to keep the injured member in their thoughts and prayers.

The union also thanked Renton police for their quick actions, saying they helped prevent further injuries to civilians or other members.

KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

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VIDEO/PHOTOS: A firefighter was shot, and a suspect died after Renton police officers returned fire in an Albertsons parking lot Thursday night, according to Renton police. Police said officers were called just before 8:30 p.m. to the parking lot in the 4600 block of NE Sunset Boulevard to help the fire department with an unconscious person in a vehicle.

As officers arrived, they heard a gunshot, and a firefighter at the scene was struck by a bullet. Officers returned fire, shooting and killing the suspect, police said.The firefighter was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

The Renton Firefighters union, IAFF Local 864, called it a “horrific situation no firefighter should ever find themselves in” in a post on X and asked people to keep the injured member in their thoughts and prayers.

KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

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A Grant County Fire District 8 battalion chief was injured Wednesday night after being hit by a DUI driver while responding to another crash near Mattawa.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office says firefighters were containing an oil spill at a non-injury crash around 10:30 p.m. at Road 24-SW and Road L-SW when a 33-year-old drove through the scene and hit the leg of Battalion Chief Doug Anderson.

The man continued without stopping, but was later arrested by Mattawa Police. He was booked into the Grant County Adult Detention Facility and is being investigated for DUI, vehicular assault and hit-and-run charges.

GCFD8 Battalion Chief Anderson was treated by EMTs at the scene.

KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

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The Spokane City Council approved additional funding during Wednesday’s legislative session to help 1590 Heart Funds support inclement weather shelter operations, according to the city. Council members said the added money is meant to help Spokane prepare for colder conditions and keep shelter access available for people who need it through the end of the year.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that community members can access shelter, especially during extreme weather,” said Council Member Sarah Dixit. “As we approach winter, it is vital that we use these dollars to increase capacity to help our neighbors when they need it most.”

The city said The Salvation Army, Jewels Helping Hands and Catholic Charities currently serve as housing providers. It said the added funding was approved so those operations have enough support as winter approaches.

The city also explained that inclement weather beds are activated under SMC 02.04.045. That happens when forecast wind chill is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, as reported by the National Weather Service, or when the Air Quality Index reaches 201 or higher.

KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

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