With a proposed $750 million grant program, the newly introduced FIRE STATION Act (Facilitating Investment Required for Emergency Services to All Towns in Our Nation Act), put forth by U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), as well as U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), pushes for modifications, upgrades and build-up of fire and EMS facilities across the country.
- PUB DATE: 3/29/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Homeland Preparedness News

VIDEO: Zach Krato is a Florissant Valley Fire District firefighter, husband, and dad who has spent over a decade serving as a first responder. Zach receives the FOX 2 Proud to Serve award in March 2023, including $500 from Brown & Brown Law Firm. In addition to being a valued firefighter, Zach has the added responsibility of implementing and training the district on the ‘STARS’ program.
- PUB DATE: 3/29/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTVI-TV FOX 2 St. Louis

Seattle firefighters are experiencing hazards while responding to scenes, and those risks are not related to battling flames and smoke. In April 2022, Seattle Fire Department launched a new system to track assaults, threatening behavior, and slurs aimed at crews on the job. The numbers officials released to FOX 13 News in a public data request give a clearer picture of the dangers they’re up against every day.
- PUB DATE: 3/28/2023 11:41:52 PM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13 Tacoma

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) plans on igniting at least seven prescribed burns on state trust lands this spring, according to a Thursday announcement. According to the DNR, these prescribed burns will take place in areas of central and eastern Washington, and will begin in early April.
- PUB DATE: 3/28/2023 5:18:38 PM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13 Tacoma

The administration is asking Parkersburg City Council to approve spending more than $2.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, which includes $1 million for a ladder truck and $60,000 to pay off the fire department’s burn tower, newsandsentinel.com reported.

The budget revisions are on the council’s agenda for Tuesday night, along with $90,000 to repair the water slide at Southwood Park, $580,000 for two new Sanitation Department packer trucks and $540,000 for new street sweepers, the report said.

A city official told council he was considering a request for equipment purchases using ARPA funds during the recent municipal budget hearings, according to the report.

The money can be spent directly from the city’s ARPA allotment because it’s for public health and public safety, a city official said.

The $1 million for the ladder truck will be supplemented by $275,000 allocated for the purchase in the capital reserve fund and $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, the report said.

A fire official saved the city between $500,000-$700,000 by proposing buying a slightly smaller truck than the city now uses, the report said. It would have the same maximum ladder length of 100 feet but would not have a bucket and platform at the top. The existing truck could be used as a backup and the reduced wear would allow it to remain in service longer.