New Philadelphia has extended the time that firefighters have to earn their paramedic certification in hopes of expanding the pool of potential employees. On Monday, council approved an ordinance that gives firefighters hired by the city two years to earn their certification. Previously, they had one year to do that.
- PUB DATE: 2/15/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Times Reporter - Metered Site

PFAS chemicals help protect firefighters by repelling water and oils off their gear. They’re also used to make fire-suppressing foams “extremely effective.” Firefighters were found to be more likely to get diagnosed with cancer and more likely to die from it, according to research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- PUB DATE: 2/15/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFYI-FM 90.1 Indianapolis

The city of Hoover has been chosen to host the 2023 U.S. National Firefighter Challenge Championship with up to 300 firefighters from around the country participating in skills-based competitions in September. The firefighters are expected to come from more than 125 fire departments in 19 states, competing in events that simulate the physical demands of real-life firefighting, such as climbing a five-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175-pound “victim” as they race against opponents and a clock.
- PUB DATE: 2/15/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Hoover Sun

Voters on Tuesday approved Spokane Valley Fire Department and Spokane County Fire District 8 levies that will allow each department to fund day-to-day operations, upgrade facilities and buy new equipment. In Spokane Valley, the four-year, $25 million maintenance and operations levy received 67.3% approval while 68.
- PUB DATE: 2/15/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Spokesman-Review - Metered Site

Yonkers has two new fire trucks in its fleet, representing a $2.2 million investment to replace aging trucks currently in service, westfaironline.com reported.

During a Jan. 31 event, Yonkers Fire Chaplain William Cleary blessed the trucks before they were put into service, one going to Ladder 70 at 2187 Central Park Avenue, and the other going to Squad 11 at Station 11 at 433 Bronxville Road, the report said.

Deputy Fire Commissioner John Folkerts said that planning for the new trucks began three years ago with preparation of the department’s capital budget and specifications for the trucks, according to the report.

Mayor Mike Spano pointed out that there was bipartisan support for allocating funds to buy the new trucks. He said that the city has put 17 new fire trucks into service in the past 10 years, the report said.