The Seminole County Fire Department recently held a push-in ceremony for its second quint at Station 24 in Winter Springs.

“The Quint has five primary functions, hence its name, that serves as a cross or hybrid between a fire engine and ladder (Tower) truck,” the department writes on Facebook. “The five functions include (1) a pump, (2) water tank, (3) large diameter fire hose, (4) an aerial device, and (5) ground ladders.

“Thank you to Seminole County FL District 2 Commissioner Jay Zembower, Seminole County Board of County Commissioner Chairman Bob Dallari, City of Winter Springs Mayor Kevin McCann, and other city officials from the City of Winter Springs for attending today’s ceremony.”

This morning: Our #Quint 24 official push-in for service stationed out of Winter Springs Station 24. @winterspringsfl This is our second Quint serving @seminolecounty pic.twitter.com/6Rf77GeifJ

— Seminole County Fire Department (SCFD) PIO Media (@scfdpio) April 18, 2022

The Department of Natural Resources presented four Eastern Washington fire districts with surplus wildfire engines in a Spokane-based event on Monday, part of the agency’s annual effort to strengthen fire response in wildfire-prone rural areas.

“Local fire districts are an invaluable part of this great state’s efforts to fight wildfire,” Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz said. “They’re often the first lines of defense, able to reach ignitions early and keep them small. That then benefits DNR by reducing response times to wildfires, thereby reducing the potential for larger, more severe wildfires. It is truly a win-win situation.”

As Washington’s fire seasons have become more and more severe, rapid response time grows ever more critical. Just this past season, firefighters battled 1,872 fires across Washington – the second-most wildfires in record state history. More than 1.5 million acres have burned over the past two seasons. And yet, last year DNR was able to keep 94 percent of its fires to 10 acres or less, thanks in part to the agency’s fire district partners.

Providing Assistance to Frontline Communities

These fire engines were made available through a DNR program instated under Commissioner Franz. In 2017, the state Legislature authorized DNR to transfer ownership of surplus engines to rural fire districts in wildfire-prone areas at no cost to them. The program benefits towns, as well as DNR, our state’s wildfire fighting force, by reducing response times to wildfires, thereby reducing the potential for larger, more severe wildfires.

Commissioner Franz is committed to maintaining and expanding programs like this one by providing dedicated funding for firefighters and forest health across the state, ensuring Washington’s towns have the tools they need to be prepared to defend against wildfire, and to prevent massive fires from beginning in the first place.

Last year, DNR provided surplus engines to 17 rural fire districts around the state. This year, the agency will transfer 10 of its older engines to fire districts across Washington. Thanks to HB 1168, DNR hopes to more than double that number next fire season.

About DNR’s Wildfire Mission

Led by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 13 million acres of private, state and tribal-owned forestlands. DNR is the state’s wildfire fighting force and participates in Washington’s coordinated interagency approach to firefighting.

The City of Jeannette Fire Department recently announced that it was awarded an ARPA grant, which will be used to build a new station. Officials say they’ve been working toward the project for a few years.

A report on triblive.com says the grant is worth $1.2 million.

The current facility has housed the department since 1927; officials say its too cramped and has health concerns. The department was established by ordinance in 1915.

“We are very excited to announce that we will be building a new fire station in the near future!” the department writes on Facebook. “We have been awarded an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant that will be used to construct a new fire station. We have been working on this project for a few years now to improve efficiency of emergency response for our residents and businesses and to improve health and safety conditions for our firefighters that live in the station 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

Related: Restored Jeannette (PA) Fire Apparatus Back Home

“The professional fire department was established by ordinance in 1915 and operated out of the then borough hall at 5th and Magee before we moved into our current station in 1927. Not only have we outgrown the apparatus garage and living space but there are increasing health concerns and cancer risks for our firefighters due to apparatus exhaust and asbestos in the living spaces. The new station will not only be capable of housing all of our apparatus in one central location but will also be asbestos free and have proper separation and exhaust systems between the apparatus bay and the office/living areas of the station. The new station will also allow for both male and female facilities and increased capacity in the bunk rooms. We look forward to growing with the city and being able to continue to provide Jeannette with professional and efficient fire protection for as we have for the last 107 years!

“We would like to express a special thanks to Senator Kim Ward for working with us for some time to find a funding source for this project, as she knows the importance of this project for both our firefighters, the City of Jeannette and the surrounding area and she has always been there to support Jeannette!”

Tulsa firefighters found themselves in the middle of a hostage situation Wednesday when responding to a call about a stabbing, reports kjrh.com.

The firefighters responded to the call at 2 p.m. near East 4th Place and found a man in the street and a child in a pickup truck.

When firefighters approached the boy, they used a bag of toys that they carry to comfort children in emergency situations. As the boy began to talk, he confided in the firefighters that his mother was bleeding and inside the home in the bathroom, according to the report.

When firefighters asked to enter the home, the man produced a gun and retreated inside the house. The firefighters took the boy to safety behind a fire engine as police tried to negotiate an end to the standoff.

Unfortunately, two people, including the gunman, died in the hostage situation.