A new plan developed by Spokane Fire Department will reduce the number of fire engines responding to incidents. The plan was developed over the past two years by Fire Department Administration, the Mayor and City Council. The reduction, the Fire Department says will boost the City's ability to respond to critical medical emergencies. The new plan started this morning and is expected to better distribute the Department's paramedics throughout a response area of the City based on computer modeling of prior incidents and geographic analysis.

Due to congressional budget cuts, reduced public hours at the Spokane Social Security office, SUITE 100, 714 N IRONBRIDGE WAY, will be effective August 15th. Hours are being reduced a total of 30 minutes each week day. They'll be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, but this shorter public window will allow them to complete face-to-face service without incurring the cost of overtime.