It is with great sadness that the Washington Fire Chiefs announces the passing of former Fire Chief Tom Foster. Chief Foster died peacefully at a local assisted care facility on May 9th.

Chief Foster was the first paid Fire Chief for the then, Kent Fire Department. He served in that capacity from 1965 until he retired in 1981. Prior to that, the position was a volunteer one.

Houston fire inspectors are refusing to follow orders from a top administrator over building inspections because they fear the rules would endanger the public and put firefighters at risk. The open insurrection started after Houston Fire Marshal Jerry Ford issued new protocols last year that inspectors believe cut corners on safety in an effort to pad the division's performance statistics.
- PUB DATE: 5/23/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firerescue1

Well-known Fire Chief Richard Marinucci – who in March was asked by Northville Township officials to resign or be fired – has filed a lawsuit claiming wrongful termination, age discrimination, violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act and denial of due process, among seven separate counts, following a reported issue with a township financial audit.
- PUB DATE: 5/23/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Hometown Life

An investigation by the Washington state Department of Natural Resources found that tree branches rubbing on a power line started the 2015 blaze near Twisp that killed three U.S. Forest Service firefighters. The agency's report says ignition likely happened as a light wind moved the branches and a sagging Okanogan County Electric Cooperative distribution line on Aug.
- PUB DATE: 5/23/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: oregonlive.com

ALL ICC MEMBERS: VOTE NOW TO DEFEND HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS. VOTING DEADLINE – MAY 26, 2016. The requirement for all new homes to have home fire sprinklers has been included in the International Residential Code (IRC) for the past three editions, and because of this requirement, over 100,000 families now live in sprinklered homes.
- PUB DATE: 5/23/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition