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Posted: Dec 29, 2016

Franklin County: Volunteer Firefighter Numbers Decrease

Volunteer firefighter numbers nationwide continue to decrease in communities where surrounding fire departments rely heavily on volunteer help. Pete Lorea has been a volunteer firefighter at Franklin County Fire District 3 for over 5 years. When he's not working his day job he's either checking the fire trucks or running to the next call.
- PUB DATE: 12/29/2016 5:20:32 PM - SOURCE: KAPP-TV Yakima
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Posted: Dec 29, 2016

Anacortes Fire Chief says fatal Christmas day blaze in Skagit County was preventable

With cold temperatures in the forecast, firefighters across Puget Sound are reminding families to be extra careful when trying to stay warm. Graciela Ramirez died in a fire early Christmas morning in Skagit County. Fire officials said her death was avoidable. The fire smoldered inside Ramirez’ hotel room for nearly an hour, according to firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 12/29/2016 5:20:01 PM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13
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Posted: Dec 29, 2016

Voters Accept $245,000 in Donations for Lincolnville (ME) Fire Department

Residents voted Dec. 27 to accept donations totaling $245,000 for the Lincolnville Fire Department from a local nonprofit organization. In November, Peter Rollins, president of Lincolnville Volunteer Fire Department Inc., announced the nonprofit's intent to donate the funds at a meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
On Dec. 27, about 20 residents in attendance at a special town meeting accepted, by a show of hands, a donation of $75,000 for the Fire Truck Fund reserve account, a donation of $150,000 for a new fund to be used for a future fire station in Lincolnville Beach, and a $20,000 donation to fund a new line item for personnel recruitment and retention.

In July 2015, the Lincolnville Board of Selectman accepted $33,000 worth of Holmatro extrication equipment from the Lincolnville Volunteer Fire Department Inc. to replace used extrication equipment that had been purchased from the Camden First Aid Association Access Team.

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Posted: Dec 29, 2016

New Ipswich (NH) Fire Chief Places Priority on Exhaust Equipment

Fire Chief Meredith Lund met with the New Ipswich Board of Selectmen last week to discuss the four warrant articles on the ballot regarding the fire department. Lund's priority is one regarding an exhaust system to protect firefighters from breathing hazardous, even carcinogenic, diesel fuel exhaust. It would cost between $64,000 to $65,000.

"We should've done it in 2009 when it was recommended by the Department of Labor," she said. Lund began as New Ipswich fire chief in March 2016.

A proper exhaust system is required and especially necessary because there is office space above the garage at the fire station. The cost has to be funded by a warrant article because, as a volunteer department without people in the building 24-hours a day, it is ineligible for a grant.

The product they are looking at includes a hose that attaches to the exhaust pipe of each truck to keep diesel exhaust from filling the building.

Alluding to the possibility of a new fire station in the future, Selectman David Lage said, "I'm wondering if this is a short-term thing or if you're happy where you are."

Lund insisted that while a new fire station in the coming years would be the best case scenario, this improvement in the current one is necessary for the safety and health of firefighters, who can spend up to several hours in the station after a call in which the trucks have run.

Other warrant articles will be for a new fire engine, costing about $475,000, with about $200,000 expected to be paid by a grant.

That cost could be much lower if the department looks into a used truck or other options, but needs to plan for the most costly scenario just in case. Lund will also look into the additional costs to lease instead of purchase.

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Posted: Dec 29, 2016

Andover (KS) Pays it Forward with $1 Fire Apparatus Sale

For many small Kansas fire departments, making ends meet can be a struggle on limited budgets.That got worse this summer as repeated grass fires across the state caused thousands of dollars in damage to fire trucks. But one rural volunteer fire department just got a big break, thanks to a little help from some neighbors.

Folks in Andover say they know what it's like not to have the money for the fire equipment the city needs. They got some help then and now they're paying it forward, all the way up the turnpike to Cassoday.

"That was shocking, I guess, yes. That was really neat, yeah, that they would do that," said Carl Grunder, a former Cassoday volunteer firefighter.

It's the talk of the town in little Cassoday, Kansas, a big deal for the fire department at a small price.

"It was unanimously passed to sell the fire truck for $1," said Andover City Councilman Clark Nelson, the city's liaison to its fire department.

A pumper truck that Cassoday had saved up $4,000 to buy will now cost just $1. The truck is decades old, but better than anything Cassoday has.

"It's going to replace our very outdated engine that we've been having nothing but problems with," said Ben Griffith, the chief at Butler County Fire District #4 in Cassoday.

"It's in great shape,"said Nelson about the pumper truck. "We've left a lot of equipment on there for them."

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