Last summer, as the Austin fire union was preparing to represent one of its members at a disciplinary hearing, department officials permitted union president Bob Nicks to review confidential documents in the case under a provision of the city’s labor contract with firefighters. With a couple of clicks, Nicks secretly downloaded the information onto his personal laptop — but says he disclosed what he’d done a few days later to top department officials.
- PUB DATE: 2/23/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Austin American-Statesman

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: 2/23/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tacoma News Tribune

At a Berlin day care center, a little boy lights a match and touches it to another, making a sudden flare. The girl sitting next to him shouts a word that is the same in German and English: “Cool!” The two children, both under 6, aren’t breaking any rules. They are taking part in a fire workshop designed by Kain Karawahn, an artist who, as part of a performance piece about freedom in 1987, once set a blaze at the Berlin Wall.
- PUB DATE: 2/23/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Times

Wednesday night Clarkston City Council held a town hall meeting, encouraging citizens to voice their opinions about the future of the Clarkston Fire Department. Tempers flared and emotions were high as many pleaded for the city to keep their trusted department. "I’m a volunteer with the Clarkston Fire Department, and you guys answered a previous question saying no one would be losing their job, but if we switch over to Lewiston I would actually be losing my job.
- PUB DATE: 2/23/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KLEWtv

Troopers had their hands full -- almost literally -- trying to assist a mom who went into labor a bit earlier than expected while on the Valley Freeway Thursday morning. Troopers received a report around 6 a.m. that a mother was on her way to the hospital in labor, but didn't think she was going to make it before the baby was born.
- PUB DATE: 2/23/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO News