Menu

WFC News

Posted: May 14, 2017

Arson investigated at Mukilteo elementary school

Classes were canceled Monday at a Mukilteo school after an arson damaged buildings and shut down the school's phones and internet service. The fire was reported late Saturday night at Columbia Elementary School on Harbor Pointe Boulevard. Investigators say someone set two portable toilets on fire. The flames spread to the exterior of the building and traveled up into the eaves, ruining computer and electrical equipment.
- PUB DATE: 5/14/2017 7:51:43 PM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5
Read more
Posted: May 14, 2017

Semi-truck crashes through home in Roy

A semi-truck driver suffering a medical emergency rammed his semi truck into a home near Roy Sunday evening. The truck was heading north on SR-507 around 6 p.m. when the driver lost consciousness, according to Trooper Shaneka Phillips with the Washington State Patrol. The truck veered off the road, striking a home near 342nd Street.
- PUB DATE: 5/14/2017 7:51:19 PM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000
Read more
Posted: May 14, 2017

Cutting Cars: Puyallup firefighters practice accident rescues

“Find the weakest spot and cut!” shouts Jeff Pugh to a group of firefighters armed with hydraulic cutter. Like a pair of oversized scissors, the cutter slices through the steel frame of the Cadillac, detaching two side doors with a crunch. Then firefighters yank off the doors, exposing the right half of the smashed-up vehicle’s interior.
- PUB DATE: 5/14/2017 2:14:13 AM - SOURCE: Longview Daily News
Read more
Posted: May 13, 2017

Hanford: From fighting fires to hitting fairways

After a busy week, Hanford firefighters were able to take a break today for their annual golf fundraiser. The golf tournament raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Burn Foundation. This year was the 20th year for the golf tournament, 36 teams checked in, made up of 144 golfers.
- PUB DATE: 5/13/2017 2:38:13 AM - SOURCE: NBCRightNow.com
Read more
Posted: May 13, 2017

Memphis Firefighter Selected as One of 10 Nationwide to Participate in Effort to Identify the Toxic Chemicals Around Us

Memphis firefighter and bracelet

A Memphis (TN) firefighter participated in a nationwide effort led by the Environmental Defense Fund to identify chemicals in our environment. The project used a cutting-edge technology— a simple looking silicone wristband—that can track the synthetic chemicals that are used in products all around us. Gordon Ginsberg was one of 10 participants across the country who wore the wristband for a week to help EDF experts shed light on the previously invisible problem of hazardous chemicals in our lives.

“As a firefighter, I have to have a practical understanding of what goes into the products in our homes, our schools and our workplaces,” said Gordon. “So I was especially curious to see what chemicals my wristband picked up and learn about how they might impact our health. I was surprised to learn one of them was a chemical banned 30 years ago.”

Gordon is a Lieutenant for the Memphis Fire Department. Although there were no fires to fight the week he wore the wristband, he still came into contact with a number of hazardous chemicals through his home environment and routine work maintaining fire station equipment, responding to medical calls, and visiting commercial and industrial sites.  Among those chemicals was gamma-chlordane, a pesticide that has been banned in the U.S. since the 1980s, and 3,4-dichlorophenyl isocyanate, a “chemical intermediate,” which is reportedly used exclusively for chemical manufacturing processes.  Gordon wondered if he came into contact with these chemicals from a site visit to a location that formerly housed chemical stock piles, his local auto repair shop, the nearby highway – or even his fire suit.

Synthetic chemicals are used to make 96% of products in the United States, from couches and carpets to the clothes we wear. While chemicals are a critical part of modern life, they are also released into our environment—and end up in our food, water and air – which can result in harmful chemical exposures. Scientific research is increasingly linking chemicals in common use to some cancers, infertility, diabetes, Parkinson’s and other illnesses. Pregnant woman, infants, and children are especially vulnerable.

Yet, data on the general population’s exposure to hazardous chemicals is very poor, and we know little about the safety of the tens of thousands of chemicals in use today. Scientists and government officials have insufficient data about exactly what chemicals Americans are exposed to every day, and in what amounts. We need better data to understand potential risks to our health from daily chemical exposure – and to improve our ability to reduce risk through government action, market-based solutions, and individual choices. The EDF-led project made use of new technology from MyExposome, Inc., developed by researchers at Oregon State University (OSU), using a simple silicone wristband like those worn in support of causes, to detect chemicals.

Sarah Vogel, Vice President of EDF’s health program said, “Synthetic chemicals have changed the way we live in innumerable ways, from wrinkle-free shirts to stain-resistant carpets. Unfortunately, we know that some chemicals in wide use can impact our health. But we have surprisingly little understanding of the complex mixture of chemicals in our environment and how they may impact our health.  Gordon’s role in this project helped us raise awarenes

Read more
RSS
First61746175617661776179618161826183Last

Theme picker

Search News Articles