Four people ran for their lives when fire broke out overnight at an Everett duplex, officials said. Crews responded to the scene, in the 800 block of Locust Street, at around 2 a.m. Friday after receiving multiple 911 calls about smoke and flames at the residence. One half of the duplex was fully engulfed in flames when first responders arrived.
- PUB DATE: 8/31/2018 7:50:49 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

MINNEAPOLIS, MN—Polaris^® Government and Defense is adding all-electric GEM^® vehicles to its line of mobile, affordable, and professional public safety vehicles. Polaris firefighting, law enforcement, and rescue RANGER^® and GENERAL^® vehicles are proven effective and can go places cars, trucks, helicopters, and other alternatives can’t. Now, Public Safety GEM e2 and e4^® vehicles are available with fully integrated emergency lighting, sirens, and PA systems. These street legal electric vehicles provide an option to those public safety customers who demand all-electric economies and sustainability in urban settings. 

“Polaris is dedicated to providing public safety personnel with the best vehicle options to enable them to perform their demanding jobs at a very high level,” said Jed Leonard, vice president, Polaris Government and Defense. “GEM electric vehicles not only can accomplish what traditional vehicles can, in places they can’t, but they are more sustainable, approachable and economical as well.”

GEM vehicles can save a significant amount of money throughout the total cost of ownership. For example, the replacement of a single internal combustion vehicle can save $24,390 in total cost of ownership – initial purchase price plus annual cost of operation – over a seven-year period. Customers can calculate individual fleet savings using the Polaris GEM savings calculator online.

Street legal GEM vehicles have seen long-term success on military bases, universities, and in city centers thanks to their safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly mobility. The new GEM e2 and e4 Public Safety vehicles are no different, but they are also equipped with professional emergency lighting, sirens and PA systems to enable urban law enforcement to carry out tasks with familiar and proven equipment. GEM vehicles are narrower than a patrol car and can travel on sidewalks, narrow alleys, and navigate between safety bollards. And because they are all electric, they can also operate indoors.

Each GEM vehicle can be further customized for each department’s needs with rear storage options, heat, defrost, bumpers and doors. This provides a unique alternative to other mobility options like full-size vehicles or motorcycles with greater approachability and low-speed maneuverability for community relations, parking enforcement, concerts, sporting events, parades and park patrols. 

GEM e2 and e4 vehicles also have long-range battery options, regenerative braking, payload options, automotive style suspension and are Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) certified when regulations call for it. 

These new GEM offerings are part of a larger public safety line-up from Polaris that includes nimble, off-road and urban over-the-curb GENERAL and RANGER vehicles:  

• RANGER and GENERAL firefighting units incorporate a capable pump, hose and reel, a combination tank for water and a compressed air foam suppression system and the ability draft water.
• RANGER rescue vehicles incorporate a rear attendant seat and a stokes rescue basket. Rescue personnel can select between the full-length or break-apart basket for shorter overall length when not in use. There also is a combination fire and rescue package, whic

FORT COLLINS, CO—Officials at the Campbell County Fire Department in Gillette, Wyoming, have finalized plans for the purchase of two new commercial engine/Type 3 fire trucks from SVI Trucks.

Campbell County’s new apparatus will be built on a Freightliner four-door commercial chassis and have an overall length of 28’ 2.5” with an overall height of 11’. The wildland truck features dual side compartments and will include a 750-gal. water tank, as well as a 30-gal. Class A foam tank. Additionally, the engine will be equipped with a Waterous CXSPA pump, a FoamPro foam system and a 3” discharge deck gun.

The cab of this custom fire truck will feature OnScene Solutions’ Talon helmet mounts and Access LED ground lighting, while the body will include storage for three ladders, including an SVI-folding roof access ladder. In addition, the ground lighting, this truck will be equipped with Whelen M9 Series scene lighting and OnScene Solutions’ Access LED compartment lighting. This truck marks the second SVI-built custom apparatus for Campbell County Fire Department. The first SVI-Campbell County vehicle was an air/light apparatus built in 2007.

For more information, visit www.svittrucks.com.

PITTSBURGH, PA—At MSA, health, safety and well-being are what drive us to not only develop technologically-advanced safety equipment to help protect firefighters on the job, but to advocate for their overall head-to-toe health. That’s a major reason why MSA awarded 30 firefighters with scholarships to an O2X Human Performance Workshop—the first of which is taking place this week in Champaign, Illinois.

The O2X Human Performance Workshop is designed to help firefighters start, stay and finish their careers strong. Wherever firefighters are in their health, wellness, and safety journey, MSA wants to help maximize performance by offering firefighters the chance to participate in this life-changing, physical and mental health optimization program. While the first scholarship sponsored workshop is this week, two additional sessions are planned for Miami, Florida, and Austin, Texas, November 13 to 16.

“MSA’s mission has always been about protecting the health and safety of workers, and the products we develop address the protective equipment aspects of that mission,” said Steve Blanco, president of MSA’s business in the Americas. “But, our partnership with O2X is more about habits, practices and overall firefighter health, and what we, as a leading safety equipment manufacturer, can do to support the industry’s growing focus and awareness of this important issue.”

“Working with firefighters is extremely inspiring,” said Adam La Reau, cofounder of O2X and a former U.S. Navy SEAL. “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to help these men and women thrive and to partner with MSA, who shares our mission and is seeking ways to protect firefighters both inside and out."

To learn more about MSA’s commitment to enhancing firefighter health and safety, visit www.msafire.com/H2Thealth.