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National Fire News

Oregon firefighters first ever to take AEDs home when off duty

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue just announced a cutting-edge program to save lives. They’re the first fire department in the world to start taking home Automated External Defibrillators on their days off. TVF&R already has one of the highest survival rates in the country for patients who have cardiac arrest or heart attacks.
- PUB DATE: 2/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KGW-TV Northwest News Channel 8

No charges filed against driver in firetruck rollover crash that killed California firefighter

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley announced in a press release Tuesday that no criminal charges will be filed against the driver of the fire truck involved in a fatal crash. Ventura County firefighters, Ryan Osler and Adam Price were driving to Vandenberg Air Force Base to work on the Canyon Fire back in September 2016.
- PUB DATE: 2/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KEYT-TV ABC 3 Santa Barbara

Collective bargaining fight rages at Iowa Capitol

Legislative debate stretched several hours Tuesday night at the Iowa Capitol as Republican lawmakers tried to fast track votes on a bill that would eliminate most collective bargaining rights for public workers in the state. In the end, one key vote from the GOP-controlled Senate was put on hold until today after Democrats led hours of discussion over an amendment to gut the bill.
- PUB DATE: 2/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

Real life fire drama on New York set of Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron flick

The dramatic final scene of a new flick starring Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron turned a little too real when an inferno broke out on its Brooklyn set, witnesses and fire officials said Tuesday. Jackman was among the roughly 150 people on the Brooklyn Navy Yard set as “The Greatest Showman’s’’ climatic staged fire spiraled out of control, sources said.
- PUB DATE: 2/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Post

Video shown at California chamber dinner ‘demeaned, degraded’ firefighters, complaint alleges

A video shown at the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce annual dinner on Jan. 20 in which chamber employees jokingly refer to “hot,” “full monty” and “shirtless” firefighters has resulted in at least two personnel complaints filed against the city, naming fire Chief Garret Olson and City Manager Katie Lichtig.
- PUB DATE: 2/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: San Luis Obispo County Tribune

In memory of a fallen comrade, Wyoming firefighters push for new law

After he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, Casper Fire Captain Jeff Atkinson wanted to spend his free time creating lasting memories with his two boys — he didn’t want to waste precious hours filling out paperwork or arguing his claim for worker’s compensation. The captain filed for workers’ compensation after he became sick, his wife said, but he was denied.
- PUB DATE: 2/14/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Casper Star-Tribune

Connecticut firefighter candidate sues city for disability discrimination over high blood pressure

A city resident, who was rejected as a firefighter because he has high blood pressure, has filed a $500,000 federal discrimination lawsuit against the city. Antonio Dias, 30, claims that although the city’s own doctor said he can perform the duties of a firefighter as long as he takes medication for his high blood pressure the city’s personnel director refused to clear Dias.
- PUB DATE: 2/14/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Connecticut Post

Idaho fire chief 'outraged' over decision on fireworks bill

Boise Fire Chief Dennis Doan said he is outraged after the House State Affairs Committee voted, 6-9, on Monday not to move forward with legislation that would close a fireworks loophole in Idaho. Meridian Fire Chief Mark Niemeyer also echoed Doan’s concerns in a statement released Monday afternoon, and Nampa Fire Chief Phil Roberts has also stated in the past he is among those in favor of banning the sale of aerial fireworks.
- PUB DATE: 2/14/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Idaho Press-Tribune

Texas Bill would let firefighters, EMTs carry guns on duty

McLennan County’s state representatives have expressed support for a bill that would allow first responders with a state License to Carry a Handgun to carry while responding to emergencies, but local officials have differing views. Waco Fire Chief Bobby Tatum, said he’s adamantly opposed to firefighters caring guns on duty.
- PUB DATE: 2/14/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Waco Tribune

Wisconsin fire chiefs urge governor to make code changes

Fire chiefs and firefighters on Monday urged Gov. Scott Walker to require new homes to have more devices to prevent fires, saying a new electrical code being considered by his administration doesn't go far enough. "This is a reckless disregard for safety," said Wauwatosa Fire Chief Rob Ugaste, president of the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association.
- PUB DATE: 2/14/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Stevens Point Journal

29-year Iowa fire department veteran dies

On Saturday, the Des Moines Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 4 President Joe VanHaalen announced that a 29-year-veteran of the Des Moines Fire Department died Saturday morning after having a medical emergency while on duty Friday. Fire Engineer Douglas McCauley, 58, died because of an unknown medical problem.
- PUB DATE: 2/13/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Des Moines Registeer

Washington State Supreme Court decides in favor of firefighters in skin cancer case

The Washington Supreme Court moved this week in favor of two Bellevue firefighters battling melanoma whose insurance benefits were rescinded by the city and state Department of Labor. “I thought [the verdict] was great. The fact that skin cancer is a presumptive disease for firefighters, there’s kind of this promise made to us… When it was denied, it was a hard deal.
- PUB DATE: 2/13/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Bellevue Reporter

FBI investigates Wisconsin fire department station; officials remain tight-lipped

The Milwaukee Division of the FBI has announced an investigation into Milwaukee Fire Department Station 29 on the city's south side. As a result of this, MFD officials are launching their own investigation -- looking into any possible employee Officials are remaining very tight-lipped as to the circumstances surrounding the investigation -- leaving many with more questions than answers.
- PUB DATE: 2/13/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WITI Fox Channel 6

Veteran Missouri firefighter ejected in firetruck rollover crash

PHOTO - A firefighter with the Southeastern Randolph Fire Protection District was seriously injured in a crash while heading to a fire Saturday afternoon. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the crash happened on Business Highway 63 near Renick. Troopers said the Kenneth McCune, 57, was driving eastbound when he went off the side of the road, hit a culvert and the firetruck overturned.
- PUB DATE: 2/13/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KMIZ-TV ABC 17 Columbia/Jefferson City

Former FDNY rookie claims firefighters made his life hell

Another FDNY rookie has come forward to complain he was hazed on his first day in a firehouse — and viciously bullied on many occasions afterward. Former probationary firefighter Michael Troina, 24, was fired while his alleged tormenters at Tribeca’s Ladder 1/Engine 7 firehouse escaped punishment. “At first I sloughed it off as ‘I’m the new guy.
- PUB DATE: 2/13/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Post

Houston firefighter's death reflects problem of suicide among first responders

At first, Jason Hamilton's death seemed like a tragic accident. The 12-year veteran Houston firefighter was eastbound on I-10 near Brookshire just after the morning rush hour on Jan.27 when suddenly his truck swerved across the median into oncoming traffic, striking another vehicle. At first, authorities thought it might have been a tire problem that sparked the crash that also killed Shelley McKay, 61.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Houston Chronicle

Atlantic City Firefighters: State using 'delay and intimidation' to avoid court date

The union representing Atlantic City Fire Fighters says the state is resorting to "delay and intimidation" to avoid a date in state court that could block them from unilaterally imposing contract changes. The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 198 has challenged the state of New Jersey's authority under the recently adopted Atlantic City rescue and takeover law that gives the state vast powers, including the right to ignore or rewrite collective bargaining agreements.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philly.com

Settlement reached in lawsuit over Missouri firefighter's death

Almost three years after a Columbia Fire Department lieutenant was killed while on duty, the University of Missouri Board of Curators and the man’s widow and daughter have agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit. A hearing for approval of a settlement in the case is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday in front of circuit Judge Jodie Asel.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Columbia Daily Tribune

Legislation Unveiled to Establish a National Firefighter Cancer Registry

U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and U.S. Congressman Chris Collins (R-NY) announced the introduction of the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act with 76 bipartisan original sponsors. The bill would create a national cancer registry for firefighters diagnosed with this deadly disease. The creation of this registry would enable researchers to study the relationship between firefighters’ exposure to dangerous fumes and harmful toxins and the increased risk for several major cancers.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse.com

Kansas City Fire Department using unusual music video to boost recruitment

VIDEO - The Kansas City Fire Department has a catchy new way to attract potential firefighters to the field. The KCFD recruits every two years – and it’s that time again. They’re targeting two groups of people, and they’re hoping their new video catches on fire. Miss G doesn’t usually rap about heroes.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KMBC-TV ABC 9 Kansas City

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