The Yakima Valley and the rest of the country has been trying to figure out the best way to handle the opioid crisis over the last few years. But now, fentanyl deaths are on the rise in the valley at an alarming rate. “You can see that fentanyl is on an upswing in the last two years,” County coroner Jim Curtice said.
- PUB DATE: 2/25/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIMA TV

A man died in in a house fire in Ballard on Sunday, the Seattle Fire Department said. Firefighters pulled the man from the house on the 2800 block of Northwest 61st Street after responding to a report of a fire shortly after 7 p.m. Hilton Almond, a spokesman for the Fire Department, said the man was an adult and the only occupant of the home.
- PUB DATE: 2/24/2019 10:18:50 PM - SOURCE: Seattle Times

A man suffered minor burns after trying to melt the ice and snow with a propane torch on his front porch. Action News went live on the scene Tuesday around 11:30 a.m where firefighters went to a home on the West 24th loop near Olympia street. Firefighters told Action News that a renter of the house wanted to melt the ice and snow off of his front porch.
- PUB DATE: 2/24/2019 12:53:13 PM - SOURCE: KEPR-TV CBS 19

Three people and four pets were displaced after a Sunday morning house fire in Otis Orchards. According to the Spokane Valley Fire Department, firefighters responded to the 2100 N block of Powell Road around 9:30 a.m. after a neighbor noticed the fire across the street. That neighbor notified the resident that was home at the time and they were able to safely evacuate with the family pets.
- PUB DATE: 2/24/2019 12:45:41 PM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6

Many volunteer departments are forced to make do with an inadequate amount of turnout gear or with worn-out, non-compliant gear they can’t afford to replace. That’s why MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are working together again in 2019 to distribute new turnout gear to volunteer fire departments through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway Program. This annual program began in 2012 to help departments in need properly outfit their crew. To date, the program has delivered 455 sets to 95 departments.

RELATED: Final Recipients Announced for 2018 Globe Gear Giveaway

“The NVFC is excited to partner with MSA and DuPont again this year on our annual giveaway,” said NVFC Chair Kevin D. Quinn. “Proper turnouts are essential to ensure the safety of our boots on the ground, but many volunteer departments struggle to provide adequate protection to their firefighters. We are grateful to MSA and DuPont for their generosity in giving back to those who serve.”

“MSA is pleased to continue this longstanding partnership with DuPont and the NVFC to provide advanced turnout gear to volunteer fire departments in need,” said chief operating officer of MSA’s Globe firefighter protective apparel Tom Vetras. “For more than 100 years we’ve been dedicated to protecting those who protect us, so when there are first responders in need – we’re proud to be able to help.”

“With DuPont’s continued focus on protecting firefighters, we are proud and humbled to partner alongside MSA and the NVFC on this much needed gear giveaway program,” said John Richard, vice president and general manager, DuPont™ Kevlar® and Nomex®. “Ensuring that these brave men and women are protected as they selflessly serve their communities is paramount to DuPont, and we look forward to the kick-off of another successful Globe Gear Giveaway campaign.”

The 2019 application period for MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway is now open. 13 departments will each receive four sets of new gear, for a total of 52 sets. The first 500 applicants will also receive a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA.

To be eligible to apply for MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway, departments must meet the following criteria:

• be all-volunteer or mostly-volunteer (over 50 percent)
• serve a population of 25,000 or less
• be located in the U.S. or Canada and legally organized under state/province law
• demonstrate a need for the gear
• department or person applying must be a member of the NVFC. To help departments meet the membership criteria, MSA will provide a complimentary NVFC Membership to the first 500 applicants.

Learn more and apply for MSA’s Globe gear at www.nvfc.org/globe-gear-giveaway. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2019. Winners will be announced monthly between July and December.

About MSA

Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive product line is used by workers around the world in a broad r