The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the National Fallen Fire Fighter Foundation (NFFF), International Association Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) are calling on Congress to immediately pass critical legislation to improve fire safety in public housing and older high-rise buildings.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Bakersfield.com

PHOTOS: As he stood in the third-floor corner room that served as his office from 2000 to 2010, retired Hartford Fire Chief Charles Teale reflected on some of the more historic moments that had taken place at the Pearl Street headquarters during his tenure. He recalled firefighters coming into the room after the 9/11 attacks and dumping piles of money they had collected for the 343 firefighters who perished at Ground Zero out onto the long conference table that dominated the room.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Hartford Courant - Metered Site

On the morning of January 6, 2021, Christopher Holmes was starting out his second day as a battalion chief for DC Fire and EMS. "I'd just recently been promoted," said Holmes, who's been with the department for more than 20 years. In his role as battalion chief, he was part of the team helping to lead the DC Fire and EMS response at the Capitol as a violent crowd began storming the building.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WJLA-TV ABC 7 Washington DC

In an ideal world, the U.S. would be awash in COVID tests. Anyone exposed to COVID-19 could self-test and/or go to a lab or clinic for a test if necessary. But right now, self-tests are in short supply in many parts of the country. The Biden administration is pledging to distribute 500 million rapid tests "within weeks," White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said Wednesday, but few other details have been announced.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: National Public Radio

Hall of fame inductees organized a “Fill The Boot” fundraiser for the families of two firefighters killed in the line of duty earlier this week. Cpt. Brian Busch was driving a fire truck with passenger James Ludlum when a semi truck hit them on U.S. Highway 151 Thursday morning. The two men received special recognition at the Mineral Point High School Junior Varsity and Varsity Girls basketball games.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2022 4:38:53 PM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison

Local fire departments and state safety officials announced Friday a new grant initiative that will help fund youth firefighter training programs. The program will provide fire departments, technical colleges, and school districts with grants of up to $25,000 to develop or expand training programs for high school juniors or seniors.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2022 4:28:59 PM - SOURCE: WISC-TV CBS 3 Madison

Milwaukee police are investigating a crash that happened Saturday, Jan. 8 involving a Hales Corners Fire Department ambulance. It happened around 6:15 a.m. near 43rd and Oklahoma. According to the Hales Corners Fire Department, the ambulance was on its way back from St. Luke's Hospital and was heading to another call when the crash happened.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2022 9:14:34 AM - SOURCE: WITI-TV FOX 6 Milwaukee

With new statewide data obtained by NBC15, first responders say a trend is moving the wrong direction. The numbers from Wisconsin Department of Transportation reflect statewide crashes which involve emergency vehicles, like police cars, fire trucks and ambulances. There were about twice as many crashes in 2021 than there were in 2016, the data show.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2022 6:27:13 AM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison

Firefighters from 10 departments in surrounding towns and cities battled a fire in a multi-family dwelling Friday in Alma. The first department arrived at the dwelling on North Second Street around 12;30 p.m. By the time the first firefighters arrived, all of the occupants had evacuated as well as neighbors on both sides of the building.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2022 3:35:16 PM - SOURCE: WKBT-TV CBS 8 La Crosse

After retiring in October, former Somers Fire Chief Carson Wilkinson, a self-described workaholic, is still adjusting to just being a “spectator.” He also wonders about the future of firefighting in the community. Wilkinson joined the Somers Fire and Rescue Department as fire chief in 2016, the final step in a five-decades-long career in firefighting.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2022 1:05:36 AM - SOURCE: Kenosha News

On December 5, 2019 Bob Odegard suffered a heart attack. Odegard said quick response times and life saving efforts like CPR and AED shocks from first responders, police and fire/EMS saved his life. He said he’s feeling healthy now in his retirement. During his career, he spent 33 years with the Merrill Fire Department.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSAU-AM 520 Wausau

VIDEO: Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a three-alarm apartment fire early Friday morning. ATCEMS said six ambulances responded to the Ventura Apartments at 9133 Northgate Blvd. between West Rundberg Lane and U.S. Highway 183. Upon arrival, AFD said the top portion of the complex was engulfed in flames.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KXAN-TV NBC 36 Austin

VIDEO: Dozens of Chevrolet C8 Corvettes may have survived a tornado last month, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of danger. In fact, about 120 examples of the iconic sports car are now scheduled to be demolished, according to Jalopnik. The vehicles, which were damaged when a catastrophic tornado hit Kentucky and five other states last month, will reportedly be scrapped to ensure no defective cars end up on the road.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Robb Report

Knowing there's a health care crisis in Maine, one man is answering the call to help. He's the "newest" firefighter and paramedic for the Augusta Fire Department. “It’s like we never skipped a beat. That’s why they call it brotherhood, you’re always family,” Augusta Firefighter and Paramedic Greg Coniff said.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WGME-TV CBS 13 Portland

VIDEO: A group of Chicago firefighters have come up with a unique fundraising campaign to keep you hot all year round! They are posing with their fire retardant pants, axes, hoses, hats… and nothing more. "We have to stay in physically fit condition anyway, why not use the calendar as a motivator," said Henry Mendez, a Chicago firefighter EMT.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFLD-TV FOX 32 Chicago

An EMT and Cherokee Nation citizen who helped save a police officer’s life in 2021 is following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather to become a Tulsa firefighter. “Failure for me is not an option,” said Christian Kaiser, 21, of Kansas, Okla. “The Tulsa Fire Department, to me, is critical.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Cherokee Phoenix

There's an update on the Milwaukee firehouse with structural damage after a Fire and Police Commission meeting Thursday, Jan. 6. A problem with the flooring at Teutonia and Locust forced Ladder 12 and Engine 30 to move to another firehouse about a mile away. Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said the city and a structural engineer are working to determine what kind of long-term repairs need to be made.
- PUB DATE: 1/6/2022 10:12:20 PM - SOURCE: WITI-TV FOX 6 Milwaukee

A Wisconsin man is lucky to be alive after being gored by a buck west of Portage. A news release posted online by the Portage Fire Department says firefighters were dispatched to a property in Lewiston Township to help the Columbia County Sheriff's Office with locating and rescuing the man who was apparently lost in the woods.
- PUB DATE: 1/6/2022 2:12:08 PM - SOURCE: WITI-TV FOX 6 Milwaukee

They were veteran firefighters. Part of the backbone of this city where history is celebrated. But on Thursday this Iowa County community of 2,487 was in mourning after the two men with more than a combined 60 years of service with the Mineral Point Fire Department were killed in a crash on Highway 151 while responding to a rollover crash.
- PUB DATE: 1/6/2022 1:32:44 PM - SOURCE: Kenosha News

Two firefighters were killed in an early morning crash on US 151 near Mile Marker 38 near Mineral Point, according to the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office. According to the release from officials, a Mineral Point Fire truck was driving to a scene on US 151 early Thursday morning. The truck was trying to use an emergency crossover when it was hit by a north bound semi-tractor trailer.
- PUB DATE: 1/6/2022 6:24:52 AM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison