The Puget Sound Fire board selected Matthew Morris, fire chief in Henderson, Nev., to be the new chief for the Kent-based agency. Morris, one of three finalists for the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority position, has worked with the Henderson Fire Department since 1996 and became chief in 2016. “This was a difficult decision because of the high quality candidates we had in the final three,” said Bill Boyce, Kent City Council president and a fire board member.
- PUB DATE: 7/26/2017 1:03:55 PM - SOURCE: Kent Reporter

Six people were taken to the hospital and 75 residents at the Riverview Retirement Community in the 1800 block of E. Upriver Dr. had to be evacuated Tuesday evening due to a hazardous gas leak. The Spokane Fire Department responded to the call around 7:30 p.m. Upon arrival crews discovered there was a leak of r22 Freon, which is a refrigerant, from a hazardous gas container.
- PUB DATE: 7/26/2017 10:54:26 AM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6

Firefighters have contained two brush fires burning miles a part from one another in north Spokane County. The Pit fire, started right off Highway 2, Tuesday afternoon and burned two acres. The fire closed Highway 2 for a period of time. Firefighters told KXLY there were several ignition points. Firefighters from six different agencies quickly knocked the fire down, only to have another fire start miles up the road.
- PUB DATE: 7/26/2017 8:30:18 AM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4

The Seattle Fire Department has launched a year-long pilot program that could help save more lives during water rescues using teams of highly-trained rescue swimmers. The department held a demonstration off the shores of Alki Beach in West Seattle on Tuesday morning. As part of the demonstration, the King County Sheriff's Office Guardian One helicopter flew overhead as a Seattle firefighter dressed in a red and black suit entered the water and swam out to someone in need of help.
- PUB DATE: 7/26/2017 7:10:35 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000