Two Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department employees are suing the City of Jacksonville, saying they were retaliated against for testifying in a racial discrimination case. That complaint was filed by JFRD Capt. Eric Mitchell. The employees said they were told they need to "get rid of" Mitchell. This isn't the first time JFRD has faced allegations of discrimination and hostile work environments concerning African-American firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 9/21/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTEV-TV 47

Town of Oneonta Fire District commissioners voted Thursday night 3 to 2 for dissolution, turning the job of negotiating a fire protection contract over to the Oneonta Town Board, which objects to the step. Supervisor Robert Wood said the Town Board plans to take legal action to block the dissolution.
- PUB DATE: 9/21/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Oneonta Daily Star

The Mount Zion Fire Protection District will start providing coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week, beginning in October, fire Chief Don Wright said Thursday. Wright said his impending retirement Oct. 31 allowed the department to split his salary and hire two additional full-time firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 9/21/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Herald & Review

Kennewick Professional Firefighters announced on their Facebook page that the Kennewick Fire Department is one of the recipients of the SAFER Grant through FEMA. "What is the SAFER grant?" The Facebook page asked rhetorically, then explaining: "The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their communities.
- PUB DATE: 9/20/2018 5:59:26 PM - SOURCE: NBCRightNow.com