In March, 2,000 firefighters, all donning their gear and masks, will take to the seemingly endless flights of stairs at the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle — going up flight after flight until exhaustedly reaching the top. No, it’s not some sadistic training requirement — although participants are calling it a worthy test of their physical fitness — it’s instead something of a metaphor of taking steps forward in the fight to find a cure to leukemia and lymphoma.
- PUB DATE: 1/1/2019 4:48:13 AM - SOURCE: Centralia Chronicle

California's largest public utility provider could face murder or manslaughter charges if it were found responsible for causing the state's recent deadly wildfires, according to court documents filed by the state attorney general. Pacific Gas & Electric Co., or PG&E, could potentially face a range of criminal offenses if any of the wildfires broke out as a result of the utility failing to properly operate and maintain power lines, per an amicus brief filed in US District Court Friday by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.
- PUB DATE: 12/31/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CNN

Dallas Fire-Rescue has a new chief, but he’s a familiar face. City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced he promoted one of the department’s Assistant Chiefs, Dominique Artis, to Chief. At a news conference Friday morning, Chief Artis said, “I feel we have the best department in the country and I want to continue that momentum that we feel we’re on right now.
- PUB DATE: 12/31/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CBS DFW

Jacksonville’s fire marshal will sit out inspections at a series of bikini bars as part of an agreement filed in federal court to end a lawsuit by a business that claimed its rights were violated. Other fire inspectors will still check the businesses as always, but the agreement outlined this week would bar Fire Marshal Kevin Jones from inspecting seven adult entertainment businesses for the next nine months.
- PUB DATE: 12/31/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Florida Times Union

Today, a revered public servant will answer the call of duty for the last time, to take a well deserved retirement. Hornell Fire Chief Dan Smith’s last official day on active payroll will be on Jan. 10, but between now and then, he will use remaining vacation time and effectively hand the job over to former Captain Frank Brzozowski.
- PUB DATE: 12/31/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Evening Tribune