On December 26, 5 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 25, 11 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 24, 2 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

A Hamilton firefighter was killed while battling a house fire Monday morning. Multiple fire departments responded to the fire in the 1300 block of Pater Avenue around 1:11 a.m., according to Butler County dispatch. Heavy smoke was visible when fire crews arrived at the scene, according to a release from the Hamilton Fire Department.
- PUB DATE: 12/28/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Cincinnati.com

A woman who six times failed the physical test to become an FDNY firefighter is being given another chance — and this time, critics say, the fix is in. “She’ll graduate, no question,” said an FDNY member. “The department does­n’t want another black eye.” Wendy Tapia was allowed to conditionally graduate from the Fire Academy on May 17, 2013, even though she had failed the running test.
- PUB DATE: 12/28/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Post

An armed woman commandeered a Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service unit this morning, firing three shots inside the truck. No one was seriously injured, and the rescue was recovered in the Smithfield community a short time later after a brief police chase. It all began about 10:40 a.m. when rescue workers were dispatched to the airport on a report of a woman feeling dizzy, said Birmingham Fire and Rescue Chief Charles Gordon.
- PUB DATE: 12/28/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Al.com

The call came into the Thompsonville Fire Department at a change of shift on a Monday evening in November — an unresponsive 52-year-old male on Russell Street. Firefighters arrived at the home, and said there was some initial confusion. Then, firefighter Tom O'Brien saw a familiar person standing in the driveway — fellow Thompsonville firefighter Ernie Bouthiette's 16-year-old son.
- PUB DATE: 12/28/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Hartford Courant

An appeals court once again ruled against the San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters and in favor of the city Tuesday, affirming U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury’s conclusion that nothing in the city charter or state law prevents the city from outsourcing its Fire Department. In the same ruling, Otis D.
- PUB DATE: 12/28/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Sun

On December 23, 8 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 22, 4 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 22, 3 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 20, 8 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

To his last day on the force, Clarksdale Fire Department Capt. Willie Ratliff could still fight fire with the young guys. That's what his fellow firefighters said about him. It's what the community of Clarksdale knew about him. The 35-year veteran of the Clarksdale Fire Department was two shifts away from retirement Monday night when his shift mates found him, dead of an apparent heart attack at the station.
- PUB DATE: 12/23/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: clarion ledger

The former captain of the Etowah County Rescue Squad has been arrested for criminally negligent homicide related to the drowning death of a rescue squad volunteer April 25. Michael Ervin Bettis, 49, Gadsden, was arrested on the misdemeanor charge after he was indicted by an Etowah County grand jury, according to a news release from Sheriff Todd Entrekin.
- PUB DATE: 12/23/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: gadsden times

The National Fire Heritage Center announced this week the Inductees into the “National Fire and Emergency Services Hall of Legends, Legacies and Leaders” (HLLL) the prestigious acknowledgment of contributions of lasting importance to all who serve and those served in communities large and small. This year’s Inductees were: James Braidwood, Keith Royer, Haraldur Stefansson, Ira H.
- PUB DATE: 12/23/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: National Fire Heritage Center

Amid the sounds of wrenching metal and crackling fire, the hissing whine signaled that one of the overturned tank cars was doing its job. Flames licked the tanker just outside the state fairgrounds on July 11, 2012. Thousands of gallons of ethanol heated up inside the car. As pressure mounted, the intense heat weakened its shell, less than an inch thick.
- PUB DATE: 12/23/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: columbus dispatch

Ashton Funk, a Margate City firefighter, lifeguard and champion beach patrol rower, could lose both his city positions after being convicted of shoplifting $7.98 from a local Wawa. Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain said Tuesday that Funk, 34, of Northfield was arrested Sept. 10 on a complaint of shoplifting from the Margate WaWa.
- PUB DATE: 12/23/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: philadelphia inquirer

On December 21, 6 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 20, 7 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

Mayor Ras Baraka is turning to an old friend of the city as he begins a drastic overhaul of its public safety system. Anthony Ambrose was officially revealed as the city's acting public safety director at a City Hall press conference Monday morning. In the newly created position, he will oversee the city's police, fire and emergency management departments.
- PUB DATE: 12/22/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Newark Star-Ledger/NJ.com