Two of the Valley Regional Fire Authority’s finest have retired. Larry Upton, the VRFA assistant fire marshal who spent 37 years in the fire service, and Kevin Olson, a deputy chief who put in 28 years of service, retired June 30. “I couldn’t have imagined a better career for myself,” said Upton, who served 31 years at the Auburn Fire Department and VRFA and previously six years with the Bonney Lake Fire Department and King County Fire District 10.
- PUB DATE: 7/12/2019 1:44:16 AM - SOURCE: Auburn Reporter

A parachuter was stuck for nearly three hours Wednesday afternoon at the corner of Rainier Road SE and Military Road SE as first responders attempted to scale a large tree, sever parachute lines and bring the recreationalist to safety. The Southeast Thurston Fire Authority and other first responders were at the scene around 1:20 p.
- PUB DATE: 7/12/2019 1:42:31 AM - SOURCE: Nisqually Valley News

Benton County officials are mourning the loss of a current fire commissioner and former county commissioner. Max Benitz Jr., 72, passed away in Prosser. He had been a fire commissioner for Benton County Fire District #3 since 2011. Prior to his time there, Benitz served four terms on the County's Board of Commissioners from 1995-2010.
- PUB DATE: 7/12/2019 12:43:39 AM - SOURCE: YakTriNews

VIDEO: An impasse between City Hall and the Rochester firefighter's union continues. As of July 1, 2019, one city firehouse goes dark every night. Firefighters at nearby stations answer the calls. "Okay, I'll just leave this here with you," said Mayor Lovely Warren to the president of Rochester Firefighters Association IAFF Local 1071.
- PUB DATE: 7/12/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WHEC-TV NBC 10 Rochester