The design and specifications of heavy rescue vehicles are influenced by their intended mission, which determines factors like axle count and equipment weight capacity.

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A beachgoer partially buried in the sand on Cape Cod was rescued after nearly an hour of digging on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

It took the first responders from around the area to pull the person out after he became stuck in a hole in Sandwich, between Sagamore and Scusset beaches, Bourne police said.

The person, an 18-year-old, was buried up to the middle of his chest and said he was sinking further, according to the Sandwich Fire Department. When help arrived, it caused more sand to collapse on him.

Heavy rescue equipment was brought in from around the area, along with the Barnstable County Technical Rescue team, according to the fire department. In all, about 25 first responders worked together to get the teenager out, while paramedics started life support.

When he was pulled out, the teenager, conscious and alert, was driven to a nearby school and then flown in a medical helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was in stable condition, fire officials said. Another person was evaluated at the beach but didn’t want to be taken for treatment.

WBTS-CD NBC 10 Boston

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An Oregon congresswoman is proposing a new grant program to support the mental health needs of firefighters and emergency medical services staff.

U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, a Tigard Democrat representing Oregon’s Willamette Valley-based 6th Congressional District, is seeking to establish a grant program that would fund $7.5 million a year in nationwide suicide prevention programs, peer support and counseling for first responders and firefighters.

The bill is similar to a 2017 law directing the U.S. Department of Justice to fund mental health and treatment programs across the U.S for law enforcement, except Salinas proposes the first responder program be administered through the Office of Emergency Medical Services, a branch under the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Studies show that first responders experience negative mental health outcomes at a higher rate compared to the general population, including higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts than the general population. Additionally, stigmas behind mental health keep many firefighters and responders from seeking mental health support.

“Just as we ask our first responders to be there for us, we, as Congress, must be there for them,” Salinas said at a press conference at a Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue station near Lake Oswego Monday morning.

The proposal comes as Oregon faces a record-breaking wildfire season, and as state officials explore the impacts between wildfire and mental health. Last year, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service announced a new program aimed at addressing the mental health of wildland firefighters, providing up to 16 free therapy sessions a year regardless of whether they are in permanent or temporary positions.

Your Oregon News – Metered Site

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VIDEO/PHOTOS: Drone video captured the flames on top of the North Union Apartments in Midvale — the fire displaced hundreds of people. Firefighters responded to the fire that broke out on Friday, July 31.

Unified Fire Authority officials said crews responded to the building just before 8 a.m. Upon arrival, flames and smoke were visible from outside the building, with pieces on fire falling from the roof. Drone video from Unified Fire Authority shows a bird’s-eye view of the flames.

The building was evacuated safely, and displaced residents were directed to find shelter at a school nearby. Officials said there were 220 occupied units in the building.

KUTV-TV CBS 2 Salt Lake City

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The Yakima Fire Department (YFD) is investigating and working to extinguish a “significant” fire on the Yakima Greenway, according to a social media post from the department. The fire is considered suspicious in nature, YFD said.

The Greenway is closed from the entrance on North 6th Avenue to the entrance on North 16th Avenue for fire crews to work. The blaze was first reported at around 12:14 a.m. on Tuesday. YFD Public Information Officer Jeremiah Stilley told NonStop Local that three separate fires are burning around 4 acres.

“We urge anyone with information to come forward and contact the Yakima Police Department (YPD) to help with the investigation,” YFD said. “Your help is crucial in determining the cause of this fire and keeping our community safe.” No injuries have been reported in connection to the fires.

KNDO-TV NBC 23 Yakima

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