A firefighter who drowned in Lake Norman while trying to retrieve the body of a lost swimmer died from a gas embolism after running out of air and surfacing too rapidly, according to a report released Thursday by the Iredell County medical examiner. Bradley Long, 28, of the Sherrills Ford-Terrell Fire and Rescue fire department, died on June 6 after gas bubbles likely blocked an artery during a hurried, emergency ascent, according to the report.
- PUB DATE: 8/19/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Charlotte Observer

FirstNet Chairwoman Sue Swenson, Vice Chairman Jeff Johnson and board member Teri Tekai have been reappointed to serve additional three-year terms on the board of FirstNet, according to an announcement today from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. Like Swenson, Johnson and Takei, FirstNet board member Barry Boniface’s current term will expire, but Boniface “decided not to see reappointment to the FirstNet board due to the demands of his business,” according to a U.
- PUB DATE: 8/19/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Urgent Communications

A firefighter was injured Thursday while battling a blaze that consumed a house near Gilbertsville and drew firefighters from 10 companies in Montgomery and Berks counties, a fire chief said. The firefighter, whose name wasn't released, was taken by ambulance to Pottstown Memorial Medical Center after he suffered a head injury when he was hit by a section of fire hose, Chief Rick Smith of Gilbertsville Fire & Rescue Company said.
- PUB DATE: 8/19/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse

Days after a decision to have American flags removed from Arlington Fire District's three trucks ignited national scrutiny, a new flag again adorns an engine. But though a compromise was reached, the controversy hasn't ended for some in opposition to the district's decision. Arlington district officials reached an agreement Thursday "to install a flag on an engine and continue to work together to develop a standard and protocol.
- PUB DATE: 8/19/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Poughkeepsie Journal

I recently got a phone call from someone who was tasked with evaluating the disciplinary process for a large fire department. This person had previously worked primarily with law enforcement, where policies, procedures, formal structures and extensive published literature exist related to the topic of discipline.
- PUB DATE: 8/19/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FireRescue1

Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow has signed an executive order to end the Oswego Fire Department's overtime practice that he says pads senior firefighters' salaries and violates the collective bargaining agreement between the city and the firefighter's union. The order, which was issued last Wednesday, Aug.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Syracuse Post-Standard & Syracuse.com

During the deadliest disaster on record in Nepal, two Urban Search and Rescue teams from opposite ends of the United States came together to perform at their best. Their courageous lifesaving actions have earned them the prestigious 2016 International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)/Motorola Solutions Ben Franklin Award for Valor.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs

Newly released video shows a close call for a Brighton firefighter who had to jump out the way to avoid an out-of-control driver back in July. The crew was filling up their truck while on a call when a silver SUV came speeding through on July 26. Brighton police later caught up with the driver. It’s not clear if any charges were filed.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KCNC-TV CBS 4 Denver

PHOTO - Replacing a fire truck that was destroyed last week in the aftermath of a tanker explosion could cost Killeen several hundred thousand dollars. The fire truck caught fire when burning gasoline flowed under it outside a Mickey’s store in the 4500 block of East Veteran’s Memorial Boulevard where a fuel tanker exploded last exploded and burned last Friday after it was hit by an SUV in the store’s parking lot.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KWTX-TV 10 News Waco

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is entitled to reduce cost-of-living adjustments in the pensions of retired police officers and firefighters, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday. In 2013, Lexington Mayor Jim Gray announced a breakthrough deal to address the $296 million unfunded liability in the city’s police and fire pension fund.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Lexington Herald-Leader

Six firefighters were transported to a hospital after responding to a fire at a Phoenix pool supply store, which led to a hazmat situation. Phoenix Fire Department crews responded to a fire at the store near 32nd Street and McDowell Road at around 3 a.m. Thursday. There was chlorine in the store. "Unfortunately, our weapon of choice is water and most chemicals don't like water, they don't react well with water, chlorine being one of them," Capt.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix

The IAFC and Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, today announced the winners of the 2016 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year awards at Fire-Rescue International (FRI) in San Antonio, Texas. Chief Willard H. “Bill” Halmich, Washington (Mo.) Volunteer Fire Company, was named volunteer Fire Chief of the Year and Chief Harry Beck, Mesa (Ariz.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs

Six firefighters became entrapped by the "Blue Cut" wildfire while defending homes and assisting evacuations in the Cajon Pass area Tuesday, officials said. The six firefighters were part of the two San Bernardino County Fire Department and assigned to the Swarthout Canyon – west of Cajon Pass. They were able to shelter in place in a nearby building, SBCF spokeswoman Tracey Martinez said.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KSWB-TV Fox 5 San Diego

A Wyoming, Michigan firefighter says he was fired last week because city officials didn't want him to work as a paid-on-call firefighter for Jamestown Township during his off-duty hours. Thomas Saladino was fired Aug. 10 after 23 years in Wyoming. He said Department of Public Safety Chief James Carmody and City Manager Curtis Holt were upset that Saladino advocated for a "two-hatter" protection law – which allows firefighters to work in multiple fire departments.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: MLIVE.com

American flags were removed from three fire trucks in New York on Tuesday sparking heated discussion on social media and disappointment from union members. Arlington Fire Chief Tory Gallante was directed by the Board of Fire Commissioners to remove the flags from the backs of the trucks during Monday's meeting.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Poughkeepsie Journal

Firefighters experience post-traumatic stress disorder at rates similar to what's seen among combat veterans, according to a new report released Tuesday by the International Association of Fire Fighters. While firefighters aren't exposed to the same type of trauma soldiers see in a theater of war, elements of their daily job can be traumatic with the sheer volume of calls, the nature of the job and the possibility of losing a colleague in the line of duty, said Alvin White, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association who was in Las Vegas for the association's convention.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Houston Chronicle

A northwest Louisiana firefighter who traveled to Baton Rouge to help with flood rescue efforts is believed to have accidentally discharged his weapon, wounding another firefighter, according to officials. The incident happened Monday night in the 9000 block of Greenwell Springs Road. Investigators say the bullet first hit a boat and then hit the fireman.
- PUB DATE: 8/16/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KSLA-TV Shreveport News 12

A California man was arrested Monday on arson charges for allegedly sparking a wildfire that exploded over the weekend, destroying more than 175 homes, businesses and other structures in a small town, authorities said. Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said Damin Anthony Pashilk, 40, of Clearlake was arrested Monday on 17 counts of arson and is in jail.
- PUB DATE: 8/16/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Fox News

As a Philadelphia firefighter, Steven Mesete often is required to spring into action at a moment's notice, abruptly sending his heart into rat-a-tat mode. "You can be sitting still, and then running at 100 miles an hour," he said. One day last week, Mesete ramped up his cardiovascular system in a much more controlled fashion, walking on a treadmill with wires stuck to his chest and a cardiologist standing nearby.
- PUB DATE: 8/16/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philly.com

Chief Michael Jensen is leaving Unified Fire Authority, an agency under investigation over bonuses it approved for him and three others. During a two-hour closed-door meeting, Jensen said, he and the agency's board had a "long, good discussion" and agreed on a "mutual separation" in the best interest of Unified Fire Authority (UFA).
- PUB DATE: 8/16/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Salt Lake Tribune