St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green wrote a column proposing that city leaders ask voters to approve a $25 million no tax increase GO bond. The last time firefighters received any substantial capital equipment was 16 years ago through the 1999 GO bond issue.

She writes, "Our firefighters provide essential services to the community. Yet, vital equipment needed to do their jobs is not supported by the ½ cent sales tax in which the police, parks and recreation and the wards receive annually. Firefighters receive no dedicated capital funds to address critical equipment deficiencies, and for some fire equipment a one-year lead time is needed."

For taxpayers, the tax levy was decreased and property taxes were lowered during the recent recession and after. The tax levy dropped from a high 30 cents to a low 13 cents today. The city should not ask taxpayers to increase property taxes until first asking them to make full use of the current levy.

According to the St. Louis Development Corporation, the consolidation of the Refuse Department is ready to be finalized this spring, also generating a need for funds.

For more information, view www.stlamerican.com

 

More than two dozen New Jersey firefighters are suing five fire truck manufacturers and a siren maker alleging the noise from the emergency vehicles' sirens have lead to an "irreversible" loss of hearing.

The lawsuit was removed from state Superior Court and filed in federal court in Newark on Dec. 4 on behalf of 34 current or former firefighters in Elizabeth, Linden, Bayonne, Union, Ridgewood, Kearny, Cranford and West New York. The suit names American LaFrance LLC, Kovatch Mobile Equipments Corp., Mack Trucks Inc., Pierce Manufacturing Inc. and Seagrave Fire Apparatus LLC, as well as the siren maker Federal Signal Corp.

The lawsuit alleges the firefighters, who were each employed by the departments for decades, "have suffered irreversible hearing loss and a permanent decrease of their hearing" making them unable "to enjoy life's pleasures."

According to the suit, the fire truck manufacturers failed to test and develop crew cabs or install after-market modifications that would allow for safe sound levels for the firefighters while responding to calls in fire department vehicles, including pump and ladder trucks and paramedic vehicles.

The suit further alleges Federal Signal Corp. knew or should have known the sirens were "inherently dangerous" to a human's hearing and failed to develop a safe product.

Each firefighter is seeking $150,000 in damages as well as court costs associated with the suit. 

For more information, view www.nj.com

 

After surviving a tumultuous financial year due to a failed levy, East Pierce Fire and Rescue plans to return to full strength by the end of 2017. Within this year’s budget, which was approved by the department’s Board of Commissioners Nov. 20, are plans to increase staffing levels and minimum staffing by hiring firefighters, recruiting more volunteer firefighters, increasing community outreach events and bringing information technology staff back to normal levels.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2015 1:13:16 PM - SOURCE: Bonney Lake-Sumner Courier-Herald

After surviving a tumultuous financial year due to a failed levy, East Pierce Fire and Rescue plans to return to full strength by the end of 2017. Within this year’s budget, which was approved by the department’s Board of Commissioners Nov. 20, are plans to increase staffing levels and minimum staffing by hiring firefighters, recruiting more volunteer firefighters, increasing community outreach events and bringing information technology staff back to normal levels.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2015 1:13:16 PM - SOURCE: Bonney Lake-Sumner Courier-Herald

A Washington State Department of Natural Resources employee was honored Friday for his work during the 2015 wildfire season. Spokane County Fire District 9 Chief Jack Cates awarded DNR Forester Chris Pearson and Lieutenant Chris Pauletto, the Fire District 9 Medal of Valor for demonstrated bravery above and beyond the call of duty.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2015 11:44:40 AM - SOURCE: KREM-TV CBS 2