The D.C. fire department has chosen a private ambulance company with a nationwide reach to help augment its own fleet, which has been troubled by delays in responding to emergencies and unable to keep up with a surge in 911 calls from a growing population. Colorado-based American Medical Response, a subsidiary of Envision Healthcare, was the lead bidder for a temporary contract that begins in 30 days, reflecting the situation’s urgency.
- PUB DATE: 2/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: washington post

The Oak Lawn firefighter accused of making phone calls to sex lines while on duty has been fired. Firefighter/paramedic and former union officer Robert Lanz was terminated Monday for “violations of multiple departmental rules and regulations.” Oak Lawn Fire Chief George Sheets sent Lanz a letter on Feb.
- PUB DATE: 2/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: oak lawn patch

On February 15, 7 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On February 14, 7 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On February 12, 11 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On February 11, 10 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

Yonkers firefighters tried desperately to save an off-duty police detective after the veteran cop's SUV crashed head-on into a ladder truck early Sunday, officials said Monday. Yonkers Police Det. Frank Fernandez was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 3 a.m. after a collision with Ladder 75, which was responding to a call to the Rosemarie Ann Siragusa School, or School 14, on Crescent Place.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NY Journal News

Liberty Fire District Assistant Chief Tony Roy’s refusal to send a tanker truck to a burning home in another jurisdiction has sparked discussion in Walton County over local mutual aid agreements. At 3:30 p.m. Nov. 25, Walton County Fire Rescue requested that Liberty dispatch a truck to a house fire at 169 Lorenz Drive near DeFuniak Springs.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Ft. Walton Beach: Northwest Florida News

As Augusta Fire Chief Chris James heads out the door to a new job, members of the local firefighters union issued a letter Friday criticizing him for a contract he negotiated to buy several fire trucks they claim require constant maintenance. The Augusta Professional Firefighters Association claims members warned James years ago about the purchase of eight KME “prototype” fire trucks costing $6 million that now require frequent maintenance.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: augusta chronicle

The International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation (IAFCF) has received a $10,000 grant from Emergent BioSolutions to provide 12 scholarships for qualified hazmat response professionals to attend the International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference, June 16-19 in Baltimore. The scholarships will provide a full conference registration and a $250 travel/housing stipend for each recipient.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs

The Elgin firefighters' union filed a labor complaint against the city after three of its members were told to cut their hair, which they had been growing to protest their 25-month lack of contract. International Association of Firefighters Local 439 President Vince Rychtanek said he, Vice President Edward Hanson and Shop Steward Joe Villella started letting their hair grow sometime after April 2015 to protest that firefighters have been working without a contract since January 2014.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: daily herald

On February 10, 3 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

D.C. Fire Chief Gregory Dean has responded to the sudden and very public resignation of the city’s medical director, Dr. Jullette Saussy, by defending his department. Saussy’s scathing resignation letter criticized the fire department for its toxic culture and slow response times, citing an incident that occurred last month when a man with stab wounds died after it took firefighters 18 minutes after the 911 call to arrive at the scene.
- PUB DATE: 2/12/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firerescue1

Jason Beard didn’t have to testify, he told a federal court jury Thursday, but the former Augusta fire marshal insisted. “I’d like for the jury to hear my side of the story, the truthful side,” he said. The jury didn’t buy it. After deliberating close to three hours Thursday evening, the jury convicted Beard of six counts of extortion and one count of attempted extortion.
- PUB DATE: 2/12/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: augusta chronicle

Members of the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company are particularly grief-stricken after learning one of their own, Harford County Sheriff's Office Deputy Patrick Dailey, was killed in the line of duty Wednesday. "It is with a heavy heart that the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company shares the loss of active life member Patrick 'Pat' B.
- PUB DATE: 2/12/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: baltimore sun

Barrow’s volunteer fire department chief, a nephew of a state lawmaker, was fatally shot in an incident involving a North Slope Borough police officer early Wednesday, according to borough officials. Vincent Nageak III, 36, of Barrow, nephew of state Rep. Ben Nageak, was identified by the borough as the dead man.
- PUB DATE: 2/12/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: alaska dispatch news

The Philadelphia Fire Department will no longer use "brownouts" or forced staff rotations - two controversial policies implemented by former Mayor Michael Nutter, Mayor Kenney announced Thursday. Kenney, whose father was a battalion chief, announced the change in conjunction with a report issued by City Controller Alan Butkovitz, which found both practices "jeopardized public safety" and cost the city $20 million in overtime.
- PUB DATE: 2/12/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philadelphia Inquirer

On February 10, 2 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On February 9, 14 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On February 8, 4 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.