A fire overnight in Lynnwood was contained to the shed where investigators believe it started, saving the house nearby and its residents. According to Snohomish County Fire District 1, the fire started in a workshop around 1 a.m. Monday at 6631 182nd St. SW in Lynnwood. Fire crews say magnesium may have been stored in the building, making the fire difficult to extinguish and causing it to threaten the house immediately next to it.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 6:56:15 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

There’s an understanding among firefighters that dirty gear is a measure of toughness. The char from past fires is a way to garner respect and serves as a badge of honor. But that badge, that dirty turnout gear, is now an ominous reminder of the perils of the job. And in an abrupt change of culture, the blackened gear is now considered an enemy.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The cause of death has been released for a San Diego firefighter who was killed while battling the massive Thomas Fire raging in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Cal Fire San Diego Unit Fire Apparatus Engineer Cory Iverson died from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation, an autopsy performed Friday found, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner Office.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KABC-TV Los Angeles

The Oklahoma City Fire Department has returned all of its rigs to full-time service after 13 months of cutbacks imposed to stave off a budget shortfall. The department saved $2.6 million between October 2016 and this November by reducing overtime from "callbacks," when staffing falls below minimums.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Oklahoman

Kern County has released an independent report that details more than $12.75 million in savings that could be achieved by changing the way the Kern County Fire Department pays firefighters, buys vehicles, and provides service to small cities and county airports. But the Kern County Fire Fighters union on Friday called the report a cut-and-paste hit piece designed to rally public opinion against firefighters right before the county launches a contract assault on their pay and benefits.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Bakersfield.com