The decision by Maplewood paramedics to stop resuscitation efforts on a dying woman Aug. 7 at the request of her husband was at the center of a recent Maplewood police investigation. While officials would not link the case with the city's Monday decision to place six employees of the Maplewood Fire Department on administrative leave, the incident was referenced by Maplewood City Manager Melinda Coleman in an email response to an inquiry about the employment situation.
- PUB DATE: 8/19/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: St. Paul Pioneer Press

In a settlement offer likely to be seen as a provocation by New Orleans firefighters, Mayor Mitch Landrieu proposed Tuesday (Aug. 18) a $42.25 million plan that would resolve years of litigation and impose a painful overhaul of the firefighters' pension system. The plan is contingent on the approval a property tax increase by voters in a March 2016 election.
- PUB DATE: 8/19/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New Orleans Times-Picayune

As the flames drew closer, the fire chief called and called for help. But three other major wildfires were burning in Stevens County, Wash., and no one was left to respond. Whipped by 40- to 50-mph winds, the new blaze on the Spokane Reservation sent up a column of smoke as it churned north toward a rural community of about 2,000 people east of the Columbia River.
- PUB DATE: 8/19/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: los angeles times

The need to respond to fast moving brush fires is part of why crews are so shorthanded across the Northwest. Local crews need to keep enough first responders here at home to keep us safe. In places like Okanogan County, local fire crews are almost completely on their own. Level 3 evacuations were in place Tuesday evening in Okanogan County.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2015 7:42:19 PM - SOURCE: KREM-TV CBS 2