The president of the union representing Spokane firefighters has stepped down amid calls from the group for more input in the search for the city’s next chief. John Goodman has informed International Association of Fire Fighters Local 29 of his intention to step down as president, citing “personal reasons” that had “nothing to do” with the current recruitment process.
- PUB DATE: 5/17/2017 9:24:13 AM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review

A former Columbian reporter turned Vancouver social activist killed in a house fire in March died of carbon monoxide intoxication, ruled an accident, the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday. Brian Willoughby, 56, was the victim in a fatal house fire at 516 W. 30th St on March 28. A passer-by called 911 to report the fire at 6:42 p.
- PUB DATE: 5/17/2017 8:50:12 AM - SOURCE: Vancouver Columbian

A man was taken to an area hospital after suffering burns in a fire at a motel in Hazel Dell early this morning. Crews from Clark County Fire District 6 and Vancouver Fire Department were called to a blaze at Value Motel, 708 N.E. 78th St., just after 4 a.m. today. Firefighters arrived and found flames coming out of a broken bottom floor window, Fire District 6 Battalion Chief Bryan Baum said.
- PUB DATE: 5/17/2017 7:53:59 AM - SOURCE: Vancouver Columbian

A large portion of a commercial building was destroyed by fire Tuesday night at the Columbia Business Park in Bellevue. Bellevue firefighters were called to 13427 Northeast 20th Street in North Bellevue at 9:22 p.m. Several calls were made by businesses reporting that fire was coming from the building's windows.
- PUB DATE: 5/17/2017 6:32:56 AM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., introduced legislation today that could help local fire departments promote part-time personnel with federal grant funding rather than being forced to hire new employees and train them. Peters introduced the legislation along with U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, as a way to help save money and hire and promote first responders who have already been trained.
- PUB DATE: 5/17/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Detroit Free Press