The Common Council voted Wednesday to ask the Fire Board to allow the city to hire new firefighters who are emergency medical technicians, not more highly trained paramedics. For many years, Lockport has hired only paramedics to join the Fire Department. However, after the current crop of nine candidates for the department went through agility tests, only one paramedic was left on the eligible list.
- PUB DATE: 12/22/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Buffalo News

It looks more like a motorcycle helmet, is lighter weight, offers a reduced profile and improved balance. But there’s one barrier standing in the way of the new firefighting helmets that Central Whidbey Fire &Rescue firefighters recently unpacked from boxes. Tradition. “The iconic American firefighter with the traditional-style helmet is kind of an identity thing,” said Central Whidbey Fire Chief Ed Hartin.
- PUB DATE: 12/22/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Whidbey Examiner

A yet-to-be identified body was found in the charred remains of a manufactured home in Packwood Tuesday after crews spent several hours battling the fire, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The body has not yet been officially identified, according to the Sheriff’s Office, however, authorities believe it is likely to be the 57-year-old man who lived in the home.
- PUB DATE: 12/21/2016 11:20:58 PM - SOURCE: The Chronicle

Rockford (MN) Fire Department tanker. Freightliner M2 cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 350-hp engine; Waterous CGVPA 750-gpm PTO pump.

Women firefighters in Vancouver faced greater scrutiny because of their gender and were criticized when they raised concerns about adult magazines left in the workplace and a lack of privacy in the restrooms, according to an investigation obtained by The Columbian. The report highlighted the difficulty the women faced when trying to speak freely about their work environment.
- PUB DATE: 12/21/2016 8:29:41 PM - SOURCE: Vancouver Columbian