Spokane Valley Fire confirmed Wednesday that a brush fire burning on N. Chestnut Road in Mica was contained around 6:30 p.m. Crews from the Department of Natural Resources were in the mop-up stages. Another fire was reported on Progress Road in Spokane Valley that was also quickly put out. Smoke was noticeable in the areas for some time, but now that the fires are out, it should start to clear out.
- PUB DATE: 3/30/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4 Spokane

Recent studies show 30 percent of first responders develop behavioral health conditions like depression and PTSD. And according to CDC, firefighters and police officers are more likely to die by suicide than on the line of duty. "We see all the tragic events," said Marshall Slight, chief deputy coroner in Yakima.
- PUB DATE: 3/30/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS/CW+ 29 Yakima

Firefighters worked for hours on Tuesday night to contain a big fire at Basic American Foods in Moses Lake. Photos from Moses Lake Firefighters show flames burning through a large section of the food processing plant. Grant County Fire District #5 said the building suffered extensive damage from both fire and water.
- PUB DATE: 3/29/2023 3:49:53 PM - SOURCE: KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

Thanks to a generous donor, the Tolar Volunteer Fire Department is building a second fire station, to be in the southern part of its 154-square-mile coverage area, hcnews.com reported.

A fire official said the location for the new station is near the intersection of Paluxy Highway and Prairie Creek Lane. He said the fire department purchased the land and that the $250,000, given by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, will go toward the building and infrastructure, the report said.

The money may not be enough to complete the building, but it should cover enough of the costs to enable the fire department to occupy it, the report said.

Tolar’s main fire station at 9005 West U.S. Highway 377 has seven bays. The new fire station will have three bays, according to the report.

A Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department official announced plans to purchase a new fire truck during the March 27 St. Clair Township Trustees meeting, reviewonline.com reported.

The contract for the new custom truck, which is estimated to take anywhere from 36 to 40 months to build, has been signed, according to the report. Estimated price of the new truck is more than $800,000. The price includes $60,000 in equipment for the truck.

The new truck will replace truck 32, which will be 30 years old by the time the new truck arrives, the report said.

The fire department is the recipient of a $10,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources forestry grant, which will be used to purchase a slide in skid unit for the brush truck and materials for four six-inch dry hydrants. The grant only covers materials so the department will be responsible for the installations. The department must come up with the $11,000 grant match.

The fire official also told the trustees that the department is preparing to submit to insurance a claim for approximately $85,000 for equipment such as air packs and gear that need to be replaced due to the department responding to the train derailment in East Palestine, the report said.