Megan Wichmann sat in her high school English classroom in 2009 and contemplated her new assignment for the month: Pick a career and research it. Wichmann was interested in shadowing a paramedic, so she went on a few ambulance ride-alongs in Johnson County. Wichmann’s mother’s partner at the time was an Iowa City firefighter, and he asked Wichmann if she wanted to ride along in a firetruck for the day.
- PUB DATE: 2/17/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Daily Iowan

fire earlier this month at the site of the former Reynolds Metals Company caused people on social media to speculate whether a strong odor was emanating from the blaze. Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Adm. Travis McWain told The Daily News that no chemical or hazardous material was associated with the fire and that the incident was "nothing out of the ordinary.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2023 5:10:00 PM - SOURCE: The Daily News - Metered Site

You probably no longer bat an eye when an electric car passes by on the road. More novel battery-powered vehicles are soon joining the parade to help operators achieve their sustainability goals. Electric ferries are coming to Puget Sound and hybrid electric airplanes are being tested in Washington. Now, several Pacific Northwest fire departments have ordered their first electric fire trucks.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2023 1:01:00 PM - SOURCE: KUOW-FM 94.9 Seattle

At 123 years old, the Edward M. Cotter is the world’s oldest working fire boat, msn.com reported. It’s moored in Buffalo near the Michigan Avenue Life Bridge, at Ohio Street and Michigan Avenue.

A capital campaign has been launched for the Cotter to raise funds for the restoration and preservation of the fire boat, the report said. A goal of $6 million dollars has been set.

On June 25, Cotterfest is planned at Buffalo Riverworks from 1-5 p.m., said Larry Cobado, chairman of the Edward M. Cotter Capital Campaign. The campaign is still looking for a presenting sponsor for Cotterfest.

The Cotter was built in 1900 by the Crescent Shipyard of Elizabeth Port (NJ). It was built out of Swedish steel and there is an extra layer on the lower part of the hull, designed specifically for ice breaking, the report said. Cobado said the Cotter is really an icebreaker with firefighting capabilities.

It was designated a national landmark in 1996.

It currently serves as Engine 20 in the Buffalo Fire Department. Donations to the Edward M. Cotter capital campaign are being accepted HERE.

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson on Tuesday highlighted the inclusion of the McCammon Fire Station Project in the FY23 Omnibus package that was signed into law on Dec. 29, 2022, idahostatejournal.com reported.

The project was included in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill at Congressman Simpson’s request through Community Project Funding (CPF), the report said.

The $813,750 in funding is designated to construct a new fire station in McCammon (ID), according to the report. The city of McCammon’s current fire station was originally built to serve as a maintenance shed and currently has no running water and no insulation. Cramped quarters have limited the ability to upsize equipment and effectively deploy engines due to lack of maneuverability, the report said.

The current station lacks space and function to meet the needs of the growing community safely and effectively, the report said. A new facility would allow for increased volunteerism, a site for an ambulance, and allow the city to recruit more firefighters and increase training for volunteers, according to the report.