A former firefighter is accused of stealing a rescue boat from North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, according to court documents. Police recovered the boat the next day and searched the man’s house, finding other items — including a stretcher — that belonged to the fire department. Prosecutors recently charged the man, Bryan D.
- PUB DATE: 8/8/2017 1:12:11 PM - SOURCE: Whidbey News-Times

The Marysville Fire District congratulates three of its newest full-time firefighters who just graduated from the Washington State Patrol Fire Academy. Firefighters Joe Thacker, Solomon Wilson and Ryan Carbary were presented with their diplomas on July 28. Thacker, Wilson and Carbary completed 12 weeks of intense training including live fire/rescue exercises and classroom instruction at the state fire training facility located in North Bend.
- PUB DATE: 8/8/2017 1:08:25 PM - SOURCE: North Couty Outlook

Mississippi Industries for the Blind (MIB) now offers American-made, professional-grade fire shovels and McLeod rake tools to the public.  For years, the forestry fire hand tools were manufactured by MIB and only available to forestry professionals and firefighters via a contract between MIB and the U.S. Forestry Service.

The McLeod Tool and Fire Shovel have a wide variety of uses such as for constructing fire lines or other forms of wildfire suppression, or for shaping a trail’s back slope or erosion control.  These tools are designed to be reliable, efficient, and able to withstand wear.

MIB manufactures the forestry fire hand tools in its facility in Mississippi under an ISO 9000 certified quality system. Its employees oversee the robotic welding required to manufacture the McLeod rake tool, which is made of hardened, high-grade steel.  The fire shovel has a hardened, steel forged head and all assembly, drilling and riveting is also completed in house.

MIB is a non-funded agency of the state of Mississippi with a mission to train and employ those who are blind or visually impaired to promote independence and self-reliance in all aspects of their lives.

There are many misconceptions about the capabilities of the blind and visually impaired. As a result, the unemployment rate for this population is very high.

Mississippi Industries for the Blind (MIB) is a leading employer of the blind and at least 75 percent of its employees are blind and/or visually impaired.

The company has manufactured products for the U.S. Forestry Service (USFS), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA) and others.

More info: http://www.msblind.org/firetools/