A wind storm Thursday is knocking down trees, poles and power lines throughout Skagit County. Wind speeds in some areas in Western Washington reached into the 70 mph range, according to the National Weather Service's Seattle office. At about 3 p.m., the weather service reported wind gusts had peaked and that lighter winds are expected for the evening.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2018 2:44:02 PM - SOURCE: Skagit Valley Herald (GoSkagit.com)

A volunteer fire captain with East Olympia Fire District 6 passed Sunday, Dec. 16 after suffering a medical emergency while on-site at a Yelm structure fire. John Ostergard, a captain with East Olympia Fire District 6, was on-site Friday night at a structure fire in the Bald Hills area when he collapsed from an apparent cardiac arrest, said Mark King, fire chief for Southeast Thurston Fire Authority.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2018 1:05:44 PM - SOURCE: Nisqually Valley News

Each spring, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) honors a firefighter who has provided a lifetime of service, an outstanding junior firefighter, and an exemplary junior firefighter program. This year, with the addition of a new award, the NVFC will also honor a firefighter who has demonstrated leadership in the area of firefighter health and wellness. All recipients receive a personalized award and national recognition.

The nomination period for the NVFC’s four annual awards is now open, with applications due by 5pm EST on January 31, 2019. Learn more about each award and submit your nominations at www.nvfc.org/awards.

The new Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by Ward Diesel and VFIS, will be presented to a volunteer firefighter, EMS provider, or rescue worker who has served as a leader in creating or promoting emergency responder health and wellness programs or initiatives in areas including, but not limited to, firefighter cancer, heart health, behavioral health, and overall health and wellness. The nominee must currently be serving as an active volunteer firefighter, EMS provider, or rescue worker and have made an impact in responder health and wellness at the local, state, and/or national level. The recipient will receive a trip for themselves and a guest to attend an awards banquet at the NVFC spring meeting on April 26, 2019, in Alexandria, VA, just outside of Washington, DC.

The NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Rosenbauer America, recognizes a volunteer firefighter who has served at least 20 years and has made a major contribution or achieved significant accomplishments in the volunteer fire service at the local, state, and/or national level. The nominee must have demonstrated superior dedication to the volunteer fire service, been active in their state firefighters’ association, and have positively impacted the community through the fire service or other volunteer activities. The recipient will receive a trip for themselves and a guest to attend the awards banquet on April 26 in Alexandria, VA.

The Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty, honors a junior firefighter, cadet, or Explorer who has shown extraordinary dedication, commitment, and achievements as a youth member of the fire service. Nominees must have been a junior firefighter for at least one year and have gone above and beyond in their participation at the station. The recipient will receive a trip for themselves and up to two parents/guardians to the attend the awards banquet on April 26 in Alexandria, VA.

The Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty, recognizes a department that has an outstanding junior firefighter program. The program must have been in operation for at least one year, and departments must demonstrate creativity and community impact for the program. The department will be presented with their award at the local level to allow the junior program members to participate.

Submit your nominations by 5pm EST on January 31, 2019 at www.nvfc.org/awards. Click here to learn more about last year’s recipients.

 

About the NVFC

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, education, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Find out more at www.nvfc.org.

 

Globe, DuPont Protection Solutions (DuPont), and the National Volunteer Fire Council teamed up once again in 2018 to distribute 52 sets of turnout gear to 13 volunteer or mostly-volunteer fire departments. This annual program began in 2012 to provide departments in need with new turnouts to better protect their personnel. Shinbone Valley Fire and Rescue (Delta, AL) and the Barnsdall (OK) Rural Fire Department are the final 2018 gear recipients.

Shinbone Valley Fire and Rescue (Delta, AL)

Shinbone Valley Fire and Rescue has 16 volunteer firefighters. All are operating with turnout gear that is over 10 years old, which is not recommended according to national safety standards. The department responds to multiple calls a year, including mutual and automatic aid. Calls coupled with monthly training exercises and a yearly visit to the Alabama Fire College has left their expired gear very worn, which puts their members at risk. Volunteers do their best to use their oldest and most worn gear for training exercises to preserve the newer sets for structure fires and vehicle incidents. The department actively fundraises to keep up with operation costs but has found it difficult to purchase new gear to ensure the safety of their responders.

“Receiving this gear gives peace of mind to our firefighters and the people we serve,” said Assistant Chief Travis Strickland. “Thank you to Globe and the NVFC for this donation. Your help goes a long way with our community and our department.”

Barnsdall (OK) Rural Fire Department

Barnsdall Rural Fire Department serves over 1,100 residences across 122 square miles. Barnsdall is a rural location with an abundance of ranchland and homes, which make wildfires very prevalent. The department responds to an average of 80 calls each year and provides additional assistance to the city and surrounding fire departments. Only 10 of Barnsdall’s 24 volunteers have turnout gear, and all sets are over 10 years old and not compliant with recommended safety standards. Most of the department’s financial resources are utilized for equipment, leaving them unable to purchase new gear for their responders.

“We want to ensure that our team has the best chance to do a good job and stay safe at the same time,” said administrative assistant Brittanie White. “This new gear will help our dedicated team to have the protection they need when they are in the trenches and extend our limited resources beyond what we are currently able to provide.”

These awards conclude the 2018 Globe Gear Giveaway. A full wrap-up of the 2018 program will be available in January, so stay tuned to the NVFC web site, Dispatch newsletter, and Facebook page, as well as the Globe Facebook page, for additional information.

 

 

About Globe

Firefighters need to be prepared to perform at their peak, on every call. That’s why Globe delivers the most advanced, best-fitting, and longest lasting protection by listening to our customers, creating breakthrough designs, and applying the engineering skills of the nation’s most trusted turnout gear manufacturer. Globe turnout gear is designed to protect you, move with you, and improve your performance. It’s athletic gear for firefighters. Learn more at www.globeturnoutgear.com. Globe is part of MSA.

About DuPont Safety & Construction

DuPont Safety & Construction, a DowDuPont Specialty Products Division business, is a global leader in products and solutions that protect wha