VIDEO: The alarm sounds and Roy Lewis grabs his gear and darts to the truck. He feels a rush of adrenaline as he climbs into the driver's seat, starts the engine and turns on the siren. Lewis is a Phoenix firefighter who's living his dream of helping the community. "I always vowed if I ever had an opportunity to give back, I would," he said.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPNX-TV NBC 12 Mesa

When Thayer Smith, a firefighter in Austin, Texas, received the call that a Tesla was on fire, he knew that he’d need to bring backup. It was in the early morning hours of August 12, 2021, and a driver had slammed a Model X into a traffic light on a quiet residential street in Austin before crashing into a gas pump at a nearby Shell station.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: VOX Media

With around 115,000 electric vehicles on Washington roads, firefighters are preparing for the unique challenges of dealing with the hazards from EV emergencies. On Thursday morning, crews from Seattle Fire met with a team from General Motors that came to the city to train first responders on what to do in a roadside emergency with an EV.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

The Spokane Valley Fire Department said it's seeing the increased growth in the area in the increased incident calls. "The trajectory of our department is only getting bigger and busier in regards to our demand for service," Deputy Chief Zack Bond said. The department reported in 2022 that crews responded to nearly 23,240 incidents.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

Brookfield Renewable U.S. recently donated $8,000 to the Fulton Fire Department toward the purchase of a rapid deployment rescue boat and additional rescue equipment, said Fulton Fire Chief Adam Howard, OswegoCountyNewsNow.com reported.

According to the company’s website, Brookfield Renewable U.S. is a leading owner, operator and developer of renewable power, delivering innovative, renewable power solutions that accelerate the world towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.

A rapid deployment craft, or RDC, allows a rescuer or rescue team to quickly reach a victim and safely retrieve them from open or ice-covered water, the chief said.

In addition to the RDC, the donation helped purchase ropes, life vests, helmets, swiftwater rescue suits and more, the report said.