A man is under arrest after barricading himself inside his ex-girlfriend's RV and then setting it on fire Tuesday morning in Seattle's SoDo district, police said. Officers responded to the scene, in the 800 block of South Dakota Street, at about 4:30 a.m. after a 44-year-old woman called 911 to report that her ex-boyfriend was there in violation of a no-contact order, said Detective Patrick Michaud of the Seattle police.
- PUB DATE: 8/7/2018 2:13:54 PM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

By Alan M. Petrillo

The Yuma (AZ) Fire Department covers 124 square miles in southwestern Arizona in the Sonoran desert along the east bank of the Colorado River, with 117 firefighters operating from six stations housing seven engines, an aerial ladder, an aerial platform, two reserve engines, a water tender, seven ambulances, special operations and technical rescue trailers, two UTVs, a Zodiac, and two jet skis for water rescue. When the department needed to replace an existing station and also build a new station to serve an expanded run area, it turned to Breckenridge Group to design the stations.

Steve Irr, Yuma's chief, says the new Station 3 was placed in an existing residential neighborhood a quarter mile from the prior firehouse. "We had an older station servicing an area where the community grew, and our needs grew," Irr observes. "We needed a bigger house to handle more firefighters, separate men's and women's restrooms, separate dorm rooms, and more apparatus bay space. We also wanted access to a larger main road, and the new site is one building away from a big intersection that allows us better response time."

Klindt Breckenridge, principal at Breckenridge Group, says that the station had to be built "on a relatively small suburban site that's very flat. The fire department didn't want too much of an institutional look and didn't want to overwhelm the neighbors, which mainly were low buildings constructed in typical desert fashion." Breckenridge notes that with Station 3 his group had to get the building sited properly in order to provide the optimum space to make a turn and have enough clearance to get into the first bay of the new station's three apparatus bays."

Irr points out that the department felt the design needed quick access from the dorm rooms to the apparatus bays, a training room, decon space, turnout gear storage space, and air conditioning of the apparatus bays to allow firefighters to train inside the station—especially when Yuma's temperature hits 120°F in the summer.

Breckenridge says the completed Station 3 is 9,475 square feet, has three drive-through 1½-deep apparatus bays, and houses eight firefighters. Individual dorms include a captain's quarters and seven firefighter dorms, each with a pedestal bed having three drawers underneath, three lockers, a desk, and a chair. The dorms are located along two outer walls of the station, so each room has a window and immediate access to a corridor leading directly to the apparatus bays. Gang men's and women's bathrooms are located between the two corridors in the center of the station, as are three individual shower rooms.

Station 3's kitchen, dining area, and day room are situated in an open concept with a viewing window into the apparatus bays. The station also houses a watch room, police room off the lobby, exercise room, communications room, EMS storage room, and a janitorial area. Off the apparatus bays are a decon facility, turnout gear storage room, hose storage room, and a work project room.

Irr says that Station 6 was built in a new neighborhood and new run area, so it's not as large as Station 3. "It's what we consider a small-size station, compared to a midsize station like Station 3," he says. "Station 6 is 8,000 square feet, can house six firefighters, and has two drive-through 1&fra

DALLAS, TX—The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation, announced the winners of the 2018 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year awards. Volunteer Fire Chief, Herbert Leusch, of the Glen Echo Fire Department, Bethesda, Maryland, and career  Chief, Joanne Hayes-White, of the San Francisco (CA) Fire Department are this year’s honorees. 

A selection committee appointed by the IAFC reviewed nominations for active chiefs of departments that have shown exemplary contributions in the areas of leadership, innovation, professional development, service to the public, and contributions to the fire service community as a whole. Sponsored by Pierce, the 2018 Fire Chief of the Year award recipients will be recognized during a presentation taking place on Thursday, August 9.

“I look forward to the captivating moment each year when we share the nominations for the two Fire Chief of the Year award honorees,” said Jim Johnson, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “Chief Leusch and Chief Hayes-White have had distinguished careers. These two leaders have shown how to lead with grace, professionalism, and devotion that inspires others. On behalf of the Pierce Manufacturing team, we’d like to share heartfelt congratulations to Chiefs Leusch and Hayes-White.”

Volunteer Fire Chief Honoree - Herbert Leusch, Glen Echo (Bethesda, Md.) Fire Department

Over the last 25 years, Chief Herbert Leusch has exhibited the highest standard for volunteer fire-rescue through extraordinary dedication. During his career, his competency and outstanding achievements have led him up the ranks from Firefighter to Deputy Chief, to his current position of Fire Chief which he took on nearly a decade ago with the Glen Echo Fire Department. In his current role, Chief Leusch is responsible for all operational aspects of a combination fire department made up of 70 personnel, responding to over 2,200 calls a year. Chief Leusch has maintained the highest level of commitment to service throughout his distinguished career and has been an inspirational role model for others. Some of his most notable accomplishments include successfully establishing a bicycle emergency response team, developing a heavy apparatus driver training program, building Advanced Life Support capabilities, and co-leading a firefighting task force in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Chief Leusch’s exceptional leadership is evident not only through his actions, but also the recognition he’s received including a high-level citation for “Dedication and Heroic Service” in Maryland from Congressman Chris Van Hollen, an official citation from the Maryland General Assembly for “Distinguished Service,” and multiple top-responder awards. Not only is Chief Leusch a highly decorated and respected volunteer fire-rescuer, he has accomplished these achievements while excelling in his day job as Senior Principal at General Dynamics Information Systems. While juggling both his fire-rescue and professional career, Chief Leusch has made his family and continuing education top priorities. In conjunction with earning multiple graduate degrees and educating others in various areas of fire-rescue service, Chief Leusch is wholeheartedly committed to be a devoted husband and father. He genuinely epitomizes what it means to be a great volunteer fire chief. Chief Leusch is a clear representation of the highest ideals demonstrated by a Fire Chief of the Year.

Career Fire Chief Honoree - Joanne Hayes-White, San Francisco Fire Department

Chief Joanne Hayes-White began her career with the San Francisco Fire Department 28 years ago as she embarked on