At first, it seemed like the body spotted Monday evening on a rocky ledge below Deception Pass Bridge was part of technical rope rescue training scheduled that evening. A call was placed to the duty officer at North Whidbey Fire and Rescue asking if the fire department had begun its drills already. “They saw something that wasn’t moving,” said Mike Brown, fire chief with the agency.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 2:18:33 AM - SOURCE: Whidbey News-Times

The IAFC and Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, today announced the winners of the 2016 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year awards at Fire-Rescue International (FRI) in San Antonio, Texas. Chief Willard H. “Bill” Halmich, Washington (Mo.) Volunteer Fire Company, was named volunteer Fire Chief of the Year and Chief Harry Beck, Mesa (Ariz.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs

Six firefighters became entrapped by the "Blue Cut" wildfire while defending homes and assisting evacuations in the Cajon Pass area Tuesday, officials said. The six firefighters were part of the two San Bernardino County Fire Department and assigned to the Swarthout Canyon – west of Cajon Pass. They were able to shelter in place in a nearby building, SBCF spokeswoman Tracey Martinez said.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KSWB-TV Fox 5 San Diego

A Wyoming, Michigan firefighter says he was fired last week because city officials didn't want him to work as a paid-on-call firefighter for Jamestown Township during his off-duty hours. Thomas Saladino was fired Aug. 10 after 23 years in Wyoming. He said Department of Public Safety Chief James Carmody and City Manager Curtis Holt were upset that Saladino advocated for a "two-hatter" protection law – which allows firefighters to work in multiple fire departments.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: MLIVE.com

American flags were removed from three fire trucks in New York on Tuesday sparking heated discussion on social media and disappointment from union members. Arlington Fire Chief Tory Gallante was directed by the Board of Fire Commissioners to remove the flags from the backs of the trucks during Monday's meeting.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Poughkeepsie Journal