Have you ever sat in a meeting, a classroom, or had a cup of coffee at the firehouse and listened to what people are saying - not what they are speaking - but what they are truly communicating? Verbal comments, nonverbal reactions, and even no response in these environments can reveal a lot about a person’s abilities, knowledge, and personal beliefs. That’s if you know what to look for. We deliver messages to others all the time whether we fully engage, toss out a quick comment, or remain quiet when given the opportunity to participate or be involved. When it comes to beliefs – or mindsets –, the ones we and others hold is the purpose of this article and what I’m hoping to explore with you.

In November, the National Institute of Public Safety Health hosted the Public Safety Health Symposium. This year’s focus was on cancer and firefighting.

Event Honors Washington State Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Donation Goal is $15,000

From April 1 – April 30, 2018, Olympic Hot Tub hosts its annual “Heroes” event to honor and support the Washington State Fallen Firefighters Foundation (WSFFF). Olympic Hot Tub will donate a portion of each Hot Spring Spa, Finnleo Sauna, Freeflow Spa and Covana Automated Gazebo sold in the month of April.

Don Riling, president of Olympic Hot Tub, launched the annual “Heroes” event in 2017 as a way to give back to the community his company has been a part of for over forty years. Each year Olympic Hot Tub selects a beneficiary that honors or celebrates local heroes, first responders or teachers. This year’s recipient, WSFFF directly assists the firefighter’s family after the loss of a Washington state firefighter.

Beginning on Tuesday, December 26th 1:30 PM ET, FEMA will host a series of live Adobe Connect webinars. These webinars will provide applicants with an understanding of the FY 2017 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, the grant process, and how to complete the application.  AFG staff recommends that you review the Notice of Funding Opportunity prior to participating in the webinars to help make the application process easier.  

“Piggybacking” refers to one local government making purchases from contracts awarded by another government or group of governments via an interlocal agreement or contract. Piggybacking is a convenient way to procure goods or services. However, the Washington Auditor's Office has seen an increasing number of local governments use this alternative method without completing the process properly. National purchasing cooperatives are becoming more widely used, and many of these are based in other states where the laws do not align with Washington law. 

The new Be a Hero, Save a Hero® mobile app from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) can help your community stay safe with valuable fire prevention information, special weather and seasonal notifications, and more.  It’s available now for you to share with the public as you remind them to change their smoke alarm batteries and the benefits of 10-year smoke alarms.

The Washington Fire Chiefs ( WFC), a non-profit fire chiefs association is evaluating and possibly developing a workers’ compensation group retro plan through Washington State Labor and Industries (L & I). This bid request has been initiated to solicit responses from individuals or firms interested in participating in a contract to perform the services described in the attached documents.