Officials with North Whidbey Fire and Rescue are asking voters in the district to increase property taxes in order to replace aging equipment, fix up crumbling fire houses and keep up with an increasing call load. Not everyone, however, is convinced that a tax hike is necessary. Fire commissioners voted last month to place a 35-cent levy lid lift on the Aug.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2017 2:24:18 AM - SOURCE: Whidbey News-Times

A Macon County firefighter died Tuesday after suffering a traumatic brain injury in an accident on the job Saturday afternoon. Darrell Plank, 29, was hit in the head by a metal coupling as a fire hose snagged on the truck at the scene of a fire off Ga. 128 near Taylor County. The 10-year veteran’s skull was seriously fractured and, according to a Facebook page devoted to prayers for his recovery, he suffered a stroke on the left side of his brain.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Telegraph

San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said Tuesday that any firefighter who wants to attend the upcoming funeral of firefighter Scott Deem will be able to, dispelling rumors to the contrary. Hood said he alone made the decision to not use outside agencies to staff SAFD stations on Friday because other firefighters aren’t familiar with San Antonio’s operating system, air refilling systems, radios or terminology.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: mysanantonio.com

The death of a Butler County firefighter serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers firefighters face long after the flames are extinguished and the smoke clears. "It was a badge of honor back in the day to be a smoke-eater and to have the dirtiest fire gear," Cincinnati firefighter Gerald Rosemeyer said.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse.com

The Texas Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that seeks to fix the broken Dallas Police and Fire Pension System. The bill barely made it out of committee last week but was saved by last-minute negotiations between the city, police and fire associations and pension officials. "This is not just a Dallas issue.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Dallas News