Following the suicide of Firefighter Nicole Mittendorff last year, the Fairfax County (Va.) Fire and Rescue Department contracted to have an assessment done of organizational culture and attitudes within the department. The resulting report includes many valuable insights and recommendations, but also falls short when it comes to really dealing with the issue of accountability.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FireRescue1

Portsmouth Fire Rescue & Emergency Services, VA, hazmat unit. Freightliner M2 cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 330-hp engine; 20.4-foot Hackney seven-compartment hazmat body with front personnel compartment.

A fire hall expansion and the addition of dorm rooms will more than double the number of firefighters able to respond to emergencies in rural southern Benton County. Benton County Fire District 6 voters approved a sales tax increase in 2015 so the district could hire two more full-time firefighters and add 2,000 square feet to the station.
- PUB DATE: 2/26/2017 7:46:38 PM - SOURCE: Mid-Columbia Tri-City Herald

An Auburn home was completely destroyed by fire Sunday morning, according to the Valley Regional Fire Authority. Firefighters received a call of smoke in the 30700 block of 124th Avenue Southeast about 6:15 a.m. and found a 5,000-square-foot two-story home fully involved, spokeswoman Kimberly Terhune wrote in a news release.
- PUB DATE: 2/26/2017 11:08:43 AM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7

One person was injured in a fire that heavily damaged at least one unit at Valley View Apartments in Longview. Shortly before 4 p.m., crews were called to the apartment complex just outside the city limits at 2120 46th Avenue. Firefighters received a report that "fire was coming out the window and something blew up.
- PUB DATE: 2/26/2017 2:23:09 AM - SOURCE: Longview Daily News