Firefighters at North Whidbey Fire and Rescue recently extended thanks to their Californian colleagues with a simple, sweet gesture. And they are hoping to have started a tradition. North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Capt. Jim O’Connor initially thought up the idea to send Girl Scout cookies to fellow firefighters after asking for and receiving help from Skagit Fire on a mutual aid call for assistance combatting a Duguala Heights fire.
- PUB DATE: 3/9/2016 1:11:54 PM - SOURCE: Whidbey News-Times

Vashon’s fire department is facing a leadership transition as Assistant Chief George Brown announced his retirement last week, and Chief Hank Lipe said he, too, plans to the leave the district soon. Brown, 53, has served Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) for the last six years and will depart later this month, taking advantage of the fact that Washington fire service personnel are able to retire at his age and receive their full pension.
- PUB DATE: 3/9/2016 1:11:19 PM - SOURCE: Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Vashon’s fire department is facing a leadership transition as Assistant Chief George Brown announced his retirement last week, and Chief Hank Lipe said he, too, plans to the leave the district soon. Brown, 53, has served Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) for the last six years and will depart later this month, taking advantage of the fact that Washington fire service personnel are able to retire at his age and receive their full pension.
- PUB DATE: 3/9/2016 1:11:19 PM - SOURCE: Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

A natural gas explosion rocked a Seattle neighborhood early Wednesday, sending nine firefighters to the hospital and reducing businesses to rubble. Crews were responding to reports of a natural gas leak when the explosion happened along the main thoroughfare of the city's Greenwood neighborhood, just north of downtown, Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman Corey Orvold said.
- PUB DATE: 3/9/2016 5:26:34 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000