Large fire destroys shop, classic cars near Sisters

VIDEO: An early morning fire, which included exploding cylinders and ammunition, destroyed a large shop and two classic cars between Tumalo and Sisters Wednesday. The Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District (CRFPD) said it responded to the fire near the 67000 block of Fryrear Road at about 1:35 a.m. Callers reported a large building on fire and explosions. Firefighters found the 40x60 shop fully engulfed in flames with ammunition and pressurized cylinders exploding, CRFPD said. They fought the fire defensively to keep it from spreading. It took about 40 minutes to bring the fire under control and firefighters were able to stop the spread. The building and all its contents, including the two classic cars, were a total loss, CRFPD said. Damage is estimated at $250,000. Nobody was injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Central Oregon Daily News

Roseburg Fire Department introduces digital alerts for approaching fire trucks

The City of Roseburg Fire Department (RFD) has a new way to warn drivers that a fire truck is responding near them, and to use caution. One of RFD's trucks is now equipped with a HASS Alert system that automatically sends digital notifications to drivers in the area, when a fire truck’s lights and sirens are activated. The alert is sent out through the vehicle's GPS navigation and entertainment screens, and on drivers' cell phones, letting them know a fire truck is en route or on the scene of an urgent call. Roseburg Fire would like to remind motorists that you are required to yield right of way to emergency vehicles, when they approach from any direction using a light or siren. If you see or hear an emergency vehicle warning, you must immediately drive as close as you safely can to the right side of the road and stop.
KMTR-TV NBC 16 Eugene

Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance asks voters to support increased firefighting capacity

The Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District is asking for voter support in May to fund new equipment. The District is also crafting a unique cross-agency relationship. Sweet Home Fire is signing a contract with the U.S. Forest Service to fund a local fuels-reduction team. Fire Chief Nick Tyler said the Forest Service grant of about $1 million a year, guaranteed for two years, will be the seed money for a crew of 20, plus five staff. He said the bond would cover the costs of a chipper and two wild-land fire engines. Tyler told KLCC the arrangement with the Forest Service will go forward regardless of whether the bond passes. If the bond fails, he said, the district would need to utilize some of that Forest Service money to buy equipment.
KLCC-FM 89.7 Eugene

‘I love having these Battle of the Badges’: Deschutes County first responders come together to donate blood for American Red Cross

VIDEO: First responders rolled up their sleeves Monday to donate blood for what's become their quarterly Battle of the Badges event. Held this time at the Pilot Butte Fire Station, firefighters and police, along with others offering to give, donated blood to the American Red Cross. "Our officers and firefighters often go to scenes where people are losing a lot of blood, and so they know how important it is to have a steady blood supply in our community," Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said. The Battle of the Badges puts Bend Fire & Rescue and Bend Police, along with the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and DCSO Search and Rescue, in a friendly competition to see which agency can collect the most units in five hours.
KTVZ-TV NBC/CW+ 21 Bend