MDA video from last week.

Spokesman-Review gets it wrong again...

Jonathan Brunt in this morning's Spokesman-Review reported that last year:

"Firefighters, for instance, gave up no pay or benefits. Instead, the city gave them an early retirement plan that saves money by removing higher-paid veterans from the payroll."

Actually, we did give up benefits. We agreed to dump our really good insurance for a high-deductible insurance plan. THIS SAVED THE CITY $400,000.00.

Come on Jonathan, this is getting a little old. A couple of years ago, we put out a press release saying how we voted to work two days for free for the city. The Spokesman-Review reported nothing. We tried again - nothing. And again with the same result.

It's understandable that every news reporting organization has a bias. That's to be expected. However, the same organization that owns the Spokesman-Review also owns The Journal of Business and, frankly, the expression of their collective bias against our union gets to be a sort of predictably humorous rite.

They say unions are on the ropes, but not as much as newspapers. Wonder why.

Hoppy contact info

Hey guys, check your city email for info on contacting Hoppy. It sounds like he is doing better!

MDA Golf Tournament

MDA and the Moses Lake Fire Department are having having a golf tournament at the Links at Moses Pointe Golf Course on Friday, September 24th. It is a 1pm shotgun tournament and all the money raised will go to MDA! Cost is $80 per person/$320 per team and includes greens fees, cart, range balls and a steak and salmon dinner. If you are interested or know of anyone who would play, let me know!

Jana Worthington
325-3747

Fire Press Release Two fer

ISSUING OFFICER: Dave Haworth/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/20/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 4323 W Sanson Ave
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP: 99205

NARRATIVE: On Monday, September 20, at 5:40 PM, the Spokane Fire Department responded 3 Engines, 1 Senior Ladder, 1 Pumper Ladder, 1 Heavy Rescue, and 2 Battalion Chiefs to a reported structure fire at 4323 W Sanson. This address is located directly across the street from Fire Station 16, which is located in the Northwest neighborhood. SE16 arrived within one minute and reported smoke and fire issuing from the attic vents of a one story, wood framed residence. After ensuring all occupants were out of the structure, crews began a coordinate effort to extinguish the fire. Hoses were advanced to attack the fire in the attic, a supply hose was connected to a hydrant, holes were cut in the roof to relieve the hot smoke and fire from the attic area and tarps were placed on the homeowners possessions on the first floor to protect them. A backup hose was advanced to protect the crews working inside and a rescue team was put on standby to assist any firefighter who might run into trouble. The fire was finally extinguished after considerable effort but the the structure sustained heavy damage to the roof and first floor. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department SIU.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The roof and first floor sustained heavy damage.
DOLLAR LOSS: 80000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 26
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Bill Donahoe
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/20/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5023 South Stone
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP: 99223

NARRATIVE: NARRATIVE: On Monday, September 20th 2010 at 4:34 pm, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters. 3 engines 1 ladder, 1 Pumper/Ladder and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Sabo and Haworth, responded to a reported structure fire at 5023 South Stone.

Firefighters responding to the structure fire arrived quickly to find fire and smoke showing from the roof of a single family dwelling. To effectively fight the fire the incident commander immediately ordered another ladder company to assist with the heavy workload required.

The companies attacked the fire in the attic of the home and the attached garage while conducting a coordinated search. No residents were home at the time of the fire although 2 dogs and 2 cats were removed from the building without harm. Other crews cut and peeled off the smoldering roof and covered the homes furnishings with tarps to protect them from water damage.

The fire was declared under control within an hour of its discovery. Crews remained on scene late into the night removing smoldering roofing material and searching for hot spots. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

PROBABLE CAUSE: PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this fire was determined to be accidental, starting on the exterior of the attached garage in the area of garbage and recycling containers.
DAMAGE EXTENT: DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage to the roof of the attached garage and part of the home was extensive along with damage to the contents of the garage. The residence suffered smoke and water damage. A neighboring fence was also damaged from radiant heat from the fire.
DOLLAR LOSS: 75,000.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 26
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE