The Texas House easily passed Houston's pension reform bill Monday, but not without making several changes friendly to firefighters, setting the stage for a reconciliation showdown between the upper and lower chambers. The House accepted four amendments to the bill the Senate passed last week before voting 112-28 to preliminarily approve Houston's reform measures.
- PUB DATE: 5/9/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse

A portion of a storage tunnel that contains rail cars full of radioactive waste collapsed Tuesday morning, forcing an emergency declaration at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in southeastern Washington state. The U.S. Department of Energy said the Tuesday collapse covered about 400 square feet (37.1 square meters) instead of the 16 square feet (1.
- PUB DATE: 5/9/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

A dog tumbled 60 feet down a bluff in Point Defiance Park Monday and was rescued by Tacoma firefighters. Its owner was walking Bug, the 13-year-old border collie, in the park — something they do regularly — when the dog got too close to the edge and fell over. Several passers-by got a rope and were attempting to rappel down the cliff themselves to reach the dog when an off-duty Tacoma Fire Department lieutenant spotted them and advised them to wait.
- PUB DATE: 5/9/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The News Tribune

Burleson (TX) Fire Department 103-foot aerial ladder quint. Gladiator cab and chassis; Cummins ISX 550-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump.

A firefighter’s smoke-stained gear and burn-marked helmet are almost badges of honor, says Olympia Fire Department Capt. Jim Brown, but they’re examples of subtle dangers contributing to higher rates of cancer among people in the industry. At age 49, Brown flashes another image these days. “Hold Fast” is tattooed with the letters on his fingers just below the knuckles.
- PUB DATE: 5/8/2017 7:38:55 PM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review