Tacoma Fire Department leaders have revised their hiring practices in the wake of a News Tribune story about a firefighter who died of a drug overdose in July 2016 after showing up for work impaired. Deeper scrutiny of criminal background check information and broader questions about illegal drug use are the key changes the next round of job applicants will face in April, when the department will begin filling 16 positions — 12 new positions authorized in the city’s latest budget and four existing slots to account for retirements.
- PUB DATE: 2/22/2017 1:58:18 AM - SOURCE: Tacoma News Tribune

Nearly one year into the District’s use of a private ambulance service to improve 911 response times and the fire chief is acknowledging the department is "struggling" with the availability of advance life support medic units. Those are the ambulances staffed by paramedics who are supposed to respond to the most critical emergency calls like cardiac arrest.
- PUB DATE: 2/22/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: nbcwashington.com

Interstate 20 is the corridor for sex trafficking from Dallas to Atlanta. The City of Clinton sits roughly in the middle. It now has more eyes being trained to look for victims who are trapped in the prostitution and labor system. The message to Clinton Firefighters and first responders is to take a second look at the scene and the people there, especially minors.
- PUB DATE: 2/22/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: msnewsnow.com

For 47 years, former Fire Chief Lynn Rogers was an active member of the Milton Fire Department but that legacy is gone, stripped away by the action of the fire company board. His photo still appears on the department's website but his record as a past chief, lifetime member, and chief emeritus is gone.
- PUB DATE: 2/22/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: delmarvanow.com

Wearing 60 pounds of equipment, Jessica Vanegas on Tuesday became the first woman in 10 years to pass the physical agility test to become a Paulding County firefighter. She’s expected to graduate the fire academy in two weeks, Channel 2 Action News reported. And it’s a career the young woman told Channel 2 she’s wanted her whole life, while growing up in Paulding County.
- PUB DATE: 2/22/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: ajc.com