Frank Mestemacher will begin his six-year term as a fire commissioner for South Whidbey Fire/EMS at the district’s first regular monthly meeting of the year on Jan. 14. Elected in November, Mestemacher will replace longtime commissioner Mike Helland. Mestemacher, a Freeland resident, served as a volunteer firefighter for 15 years and left the department as a captain.
- PUB DATE: 1/14/2016 1:43:51 AM - SOURCE: South Whidbey Record

Members of the Fremont County Fire Protection District are mourning the loss of Deputy Chief Clarence “Speed” Hartbank. The 45-year member of the department passed away Wednesday afternoon. Hartbank was commanding a Sept. 10 grass fire on Eight Mile Road. While he was surveying damage to a ground-level bunker, he fell through a hole and into the fire.
- PUB DATE: 1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firehouse

Portland Fire Chief Erin Janssens, who took the helm of the Fire & Rescue Bureau three and a half years ago, announced Wednesday she'll retire in April after nearly 28 years of city service. Janssens, 51, became the first woman to serve as chief in June 2012 when former city councilor Randy Leonard appointed her to the job.
- PUB DATE: 1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: the oregonian

The federal contract for a nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety is expected to be awarded in Q4 — giving AT&T (NYSE:T), Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and other wireless firms an opportunity to lease prime radio spectrum as part of a public-private partnership. The First Responder Network Authority released its request for proposals from bidders on Wednesday.
- PUB DATE: 1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Investor's Business Daily

VIDEO - Wires were knocked down and a state highway was closed after a fire truck rolled over Wednesday in Effingham. Route 153 was closed near Plantation Road after the fire truck rolled over onto its roof. Effingham resident Cindy Espie said she heard the crash. "I ran to the window and looked out, and I couldn't believe what I saw," Espie said.
- PUB DATE: 1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WMUR-TV ABC 9 Manchester