Last year’s wildfire season was the worst in state history, and state Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark on Thursday asked the Legislature for an additional $24 million to prevent a repeat in 2016. Goldmark told a legislative committee in Olympia that the money would be used for additional equipment and training, and to try to put out fires earlier when they are small.
- PUB DATE: 1/21/2016 11:12:56 PM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review

Last year’s wildfire season was the worst in state history, and state Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark on Thursday asked the Legislature for an additional $24 million to prevent a repeat in 2016. Goldmark told a legislative committee in Olympia that the money would be used for additional equipment and training, and to try to put out fires earlier when they are small.
- PUB DATE: 1/21/2016 11:12:56 PM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review

The driver of a fire engine that was involved in a crash in Orange Park Friday has been placed on administrative leave for not disclosing a previous arrest for driving under the influence.

David Nettles, 27, was arrested in Duval County for driving under the influence in his personal vehicle while off-duty last November.

Nettles violated policy by failing to disclose information about the arrest to the Clay County Public Safety Department, according to officials.

Nettles, an engineer, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into his failure to notify the county of his arrest.

Nettles was driving a fire engine on the way to a call around 9:45 p.m. Jan. 15 when it was hit by a car.

The driver of the car was critically injured and a passenger had minor injuries as a result of the crash.

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The Danielson Borough Council is exploring the best way to pay for a new $1 million fire truck for the Danielson Fire Department.

It will spend the next month researching the issue ahead of a Feb. 17 public hearing on the expenditure, council member Lynn LaBerge said.

The department plans to buy the bucket/tower truck through South Dakota-based Pierce Manufacturing, the same company that is building a new ladder truck for the Dayville Fire Company. And because the purchase of both trucks would fall within a certain window, both departments are eligible for cost discounts, LaBerge said, though no firm discount numbers were available.

The tower truck, if bought, would replace a 26-year-old model that department Chief Gerry Marcheterre said has reached the end of its useful life.

Marcheterre said there will likely have to be some minor reinforcement work made to the station floor before a new truck is moved in. He said this latest purchase would be the last the department needs for the foreseeable future, as two other fire vehicles are both less than 5 years old.

In December, Dayville Fire District residents approved using $975,000 from a non-recurring truck fund to order a 107-foot ladder truck, which will also serve as a department engine vehicle.

Officials several years ago borrowed from the truck fund to build a new training facility. Those funds have since been repaid, allowing the district to pay for the vehicle with cash, potentially saving tens of thousands in retail cost and interest. Officials said the existing ladder truck, a 25-year-old model, will be sold, likely to a community that can't afford to purchase a new truck.

For more information, view www.norwichbulletin.com