The Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services in Baraboo plan to consolidate so they can hire more long-term employees and respond quicker to emergencies. “As we continue to face staff shortages and struggles we’re looking for ways to see how we can improve that situation ultimately,” Baraboo District EMS Director Caleb Johnson said.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 7:35:57 PM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison

Across Wisconsin, firefighters have been particularly susceptible to dying of COVID-19–even moreso than their law enforcement first responder counterparts. In 2021, all six of Wisconsin’s line of duty deaths for firefighters and emergency medical service personnel were a result of COVID-19 complications, according to new data released to News 3 Now.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 4:52:11 PM - SOURCE: WISC-TV CBS 3 Madison

Gov. Evers is ordering flags to fly at half-staff on Wednesday in honor of a late firefighter from the Fremont-Wolf River Fire Department. According to a press release from Evers' office, Robert "Bob" Stevens died at the age of 66 in January as a result of complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus in the line of duty.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 4:51:48 PM - SOURCE: WXOW-TV ABC 19 LaCrosse

Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski says the department will undergo both protocol changes and additional training as they seek to find out how firefighters did not see the body of a woman in a car that had been on fire last month. The burned remains of the woman were later discovered by a worker at a city tow lot.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 11:23:06 AM - SOURCE: WTMJ-TV NBC 4 Milwaukee

VIDEO: A family of six was forced to flee their duplex through a bedroom window due to a fire. The La Crosse Fire Department responded to the call just after 2:30 a.m. When they arrived, firefighters found heavy fire coming out of a window on one side of the duplex. The family was able to escape and were treated by arriving fire crews.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 4:56:19 AM - SOURCE: WXOW-TV ABC 19 LaCrosse

COVID-19 is now the leading cause of death for police officers and firefighters in Wisconsin. Last year, 308 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty due to COVID-19. Area first responders spoke on what they've been experiencing. When the pandemic hit two years ago, the Kronenwetter Police Department stocked up on PPE and went into work every day prepared for anything.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 1:10:08 AM - SOURCE: WQOW-TV ABC 18 Eau Claire

Western Lakes Fire District Lt. Rik Krahn celebrated 50 years of serving the community in January — and he doesn't plan to retire quite yet. Krahn, the oldest member of the department at 72, started volunteering with the Oconomowoc Fire Department on Jan. 1, 1972, after meeting his future wife. Her father was a lieutenant with the department.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Journal and Courier - Metered Site

The city of Winston-Salem is working to evacuate 6,500 people as fears grow a smoldering fertilizer plant might explode near thousands of homes. Fire trucks patrolled the mandatory evacuation area throughout early Feb. 1, blowing their horns and blasting a warning for people to evacuate as quickly as possible.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Charlotte Observer

A reward initially offered by federal authorities seeking a “person of interest” in its investigation of a vacant rowhome fire in Baltimore that left three firefighters dead has soared to $100,000 with additional pledges. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced on Friday a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the identification of someone captured on surveillance cameras last Sunday evening around the scene on Monday’s fire.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WBOC-TV CBS/FOX 16 Salisbury

VIDEO: Another fire station has been hit by thieves. First in Oso and now in Acme. In both cases the thieves stole the exact same fire equipment. Whatcom County District 16's Chief is warning other fire houses Monday night. "This is the people's stuff and they took our stuff and it's like when someone comes into your house unwelcomed, you feel violated," said Hank Maleng, Fire Chief for Whatcom County Fire District 16.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

VIDEO: In the 2600 block of Avery in Midtown, a two-story building has risen as the Memphis Fire Department took the wraps off of its new $7 million headquarters. After five years in the making, Fire Chief Gina Sweat along with Mayor Jim Strickland and other top brass cut the ribbon on the new headquarters featuring a bell tower, arched doorways and art.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WREG-TV CBS 3 Memphis

VIDEO: They called it “the umbrella of death.” Between December 1951 and February 1952, three planes crashed in Elizabeth a few weeks apart, killing a total of 119 people. The family of one of the victims is giving back to first responders to commemorate the 70th anniversary of those crashes. “It took the top of the third floor and landed on our house,” said Augustine Caruso.
- PUB DATE: 2/1/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: News 12 New Jersey

A 3-year-old who was badly injured in a house fire at 5th and Madison last week has died, according to a report from the medical examiner. A toddler and the child's mother were taken to the hospital for burns after a home caught fire Wednesday morning. A report from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office on Monday states 3-year-old Gideon Simos died from burn injuries suffered at that address.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2022 9:49:00 AM - SOURCE: WTMJ-TV NBC 4 Milwaukee

Flames engulfed a home in Two Rivers Saturday evening. On Jan. 29, at about 5:30 p.m., the Two Rivers Fire Department was called to a fire in the 1800 block of 29th Street. Crews encountered heavy smoke and fire conditions on the first floor, extending to the outside roof line. Firefighters attacked the fire with two hose lines and a deck gun.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2022 4:42:05 AM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Celina firefighters managed to contain a large fire before it could spread very far after multiple homes under construction went up in flames on Sunday, January 30. Just after 5:00 p.m., Celina firefighters received a structure fire call from the 2800 block of Field Street in Celina. Two or three homes under construction had caught on fire.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTVT CBS 11 Fort Worth

Melissa Hilpert, a 22-year firefighting veteran, has become the first female fire chief in the 75-year history of Rural Metro Fire, a private firefighting company founded and based in Scottsdale. Hilpert assumed her duties of overseeing Rural Metro’s fire stations in the Yuma area of southwestern Arizona this month, the Yuma Sun reported.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KSAZ-TV FOX 10 Phoenix

Hobart “Hobie” Erickson put in 30 years at a fire department in New Jersey and rose to the level of captain. Then, he and his wife, Lois, retired to the Lakelands. End of story, right? Absolutely not. Erickson kept riding by the Donalds Fire Department, and Lois encouraged him to volunteer. That eventually fueled his internal flame to return to doing what he always loved.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Index-Journal - Metered Site

A Jacksonville brother and sister duo are using their close relationship to help save lives at UF Health. When Brian Brown is bringing patients into UF Health Jacksonville, he can call his sister for help. “Probably about six months ago, and he was like, Oh, I had a patient that had like, These signs and symptoms, and I'm like, Yeah, that's signs of a stroke.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: First Coast News

VIDEO: There is now more optimism that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic may be ending -- and as other nations lift certain Covid-19 restrictions, some public health experts question whether US counties and cities should consider easing their guidance on mask-wearing or social distancing, as well.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CNN Health

A Woodvale Drive resident was alerted to a fire outside their home Friday night after a neighbor stopped by to report it. A full fire response from Engine Co. 14 and others was made to the 1300 block of Woodvale Drive after a 911 call was made around 7 p.m., according to the City of Madison Fire Department.
- PUB DATE: 1/30/2022 3:41:02 PM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison