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.

Dorchester County is spending millions to improve its firefighting infrastructure, which includes opening two fire stations this year, postandcourier.com reported.

The Ladson Fire and EMS Station on Ladson Road is being rebuilt after the old building was demolished in March 2022, the report said. The old Ladson Fire and EMS Station’s entrance didn’t face the road, but the new one will, a fire official said.

The $3.3 million project will hold up to 12 employees, including EMS, nine vehicles and other various equipment, according to the report.

The department hopes to move into the Ladson station in April or May.

The county recently finished working on a new volunteer fire station on Sandridge Road, near St. George, the report said. It will offer a level of service that didn’t exist before in the area, a fire official said.