Fire recruits dive into firefighting training: Our newest class of recruits are now focused on mastering the essential skills of firefighting. These dedicated individuals, who began their training in July with a focus on Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) skills, are now delving into the physical and mental challenges of firefighting. The academy is designed to equip recruits with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective firefighters, whether they are new to the profession or transitioning from another department. We expect to see all of these individuals responding to emergencies by the end of December. Interested in learning more? Explore the recruitment process information on our website.
City Hall shower program extended: Free showers offered to community members three days per week behind City Hall will continue into October. The program had been set to end August 31, 2024, but was extended to coincide with the opening of Unity Care NW’s Way Station, which will offer a range of services downtown to individuals experiencing homelessness. The Opportunity Council’s Street Hygiene Outreach Team began operating the free shower program behind City Hall last November. The program, funded by the City and Whatcom County, has provided more than 3,200 showers and served 486 community members in that time. Find more information about showers and public restrooms on our Hygiene Resources page.
Annual dog photo contest: Want to show off your cute dog and win free poop scooping prizes? Enter to win our annual We Scoop Photo Contest, open through September 30! Send us your favorite photo of your dog, make a commitment to scoop their poop at home and on walks, and help keep our community poop-free and protect water quality. Six winners will get a prize pack full of helpful scooping supplies. Every photo entry is considered for future promotional materials as well, so you might even get to see your pup featured in a local advertisement! Offered in collaboration with Whatcom County. Visit our We Scoop page to learn more.
Work will begin on newly named pier: The pier at Little Squalicum Park is now officially named Little Squalicum Pier after more than 900 community members provided input. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board selected the name, and the City Council voted to approve it at the Aug. 26, 2024, Council meeting. This fall, renovation work will begin on the 1,200-foot-long pier, which the Lehigh Hanson/Heidelberg Cement Group donated to the City in 2021. The renovation will include new pedestrian guardrails, deck grating to improve accessibility, wind- and solar-powered lighting, and other improvements. The pier is accessed from the trail that runs down to the beach from the parking lot at 640 Marine Drive. The Greenway Levy and state grants will fund the project, which will cost an estimated $1.6 million. We expect Little Squalicum Pier to be open to the public in spring 2025. Visit the Pier at Little Squalicum Park page to learn more.
Bellingham’s explosive experts: Did you know that the Bellingham Police Department has the only Hazardous Devices Unit in Northwestern Washington? This specialized unit has highly trained officers that are able to investigate suspicious packages, safely handle known explosives, provide safety training to other first responders and are certified as Hazmat Technicians. The unit gets called out 25 to 40 times a year to assist all of Whatcom County and the northern half of Skagit County. Last week the unit assisted Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office after a train pulled into the Phillips 66 refinery in Ferndale with a suspicious bag attached to a locomotive. The team was able to safely determine the bag did not to contain any explosives.
