Overdoses from synthetic opioids like fentanyl are steeply rising in Connecticut and across the country. The 12-month period ending in April 2021 was the deadliest year yet, with U.S. overdose deaths reaching a record high of over 100,000, reports the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- PUB DATE: 12/2/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: UConn Today

The 788th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department always aims for lofty milestones to make sure it is prepared to safeguard people and infrastructure in an emergency. “We conduct formal training three days a week, and informal training as opportunities arise,” said Bryan Weeks, the Fire Department’s assistant chief for training.
- PUB DATE: 12/2/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: DVIDS

Fire departments in the Coulee Region are participating in the Keep the Wreath Green campaign. One of those participants, the Town of Campbell Fire Department, has displayed a large wreath outside their fire station. The wreath is decorated with green lights. When there is a structure fire, one green bulb will be replaced with a red one.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2021 4:00:45 PM - SOURCE: WXOW-TV ABC 19 LaCrosse

The New Berlin Fire Department (NBFD) announced Wednesday, Dec. 1, that firefighters successfully put out a blaze inside a multi-family residential unit on Tuesday, Nov. 30. Authorities report that at 8:35 p.m. the New Berlin Fire Department along with New Berlin Police Department were dispatched to a report of a structure fire near Heritage and Coachlight in New Berlin.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2021 9:47:14 AM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

PHOTO: A1954 fire truck that was used by the Chippewa Falls Fire Department until it was sold in 1987 is returning to the city, and when the public gets a chance to see it, the antique vehicle will look shiny new. The fire truck has been restored and will be on display at the new Chippewa Area History Center that is under construction along Bridgewater Avenue.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chippewa Herald

A teen struck while marching in the Waukesha Christmas Parade is back home with his family. Erick Tiegs, 16, returned home on Tuesday. The Waukesha South High School sophomore was playing trombone with the school marching band when a driver in an SUV drove through the parade, striking Tiegs and his bandmates.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WISN-TV ABC 12 Milwaukee

VIDEO:An explosion blew through the lower levels of a home in the Cypress Hills section of Brooklyn, injuring six and leaving dozens homeless. The blast, which was caught on camera, collapsed the first floor of the Vermont Street home into the cellar just after midnight. Six residents were treated for remarkably minor injuries, two of them taken to Brookdale University Hospital.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WABC-TV ABC 7 New York

Hall County plans to spend up to $300,000 for rebranding the fire department to Hall County Fire and Rescue. In a video announcing the changes, Hall County Fire Chief Chris Armstrong said the impetus to transition from Hall County Fire Services was a $10,000 pay incentive for paramedics adopted in March.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Gainesville Times

PHOTO: A 1954 fire truck that was used by the Chippewa Falls Fire Department until it was sold in 1987 is returning to the city, and when the public gets a chance to see it, the antique vehicle will look shiny new. The fire truck has been restored and will be on display at the new Chippewa Area History Center that is under construction along Bridgewater Avenue.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Chippewa Herald

Millions of financial support for North Carolina firefighters fighting cancers will be available at the start of 2022 as part of the newly approved state budget. Studies show firefighters are 9% more likely to get cancer compared to everyone else, and 14% more likely to die from cancer. With the use of $15 million, the goal is to save firefighters' lives by helping to cover the cost of the cancer treatments that are necessary.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCNC-TV NBC 36 Charlotte

VIDEO: People who dial 911 from a cell phone in San Antonio may video chat with an emergency dispatcher. To connect, callers must only click on the link the dispatcher sends, sometimes seconds after they pick up the phone. This 'GoodSAM' technology allows trained paramedics to coach bystanders through life-saving procedures while first responders are en route.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KENS-TV CBS 5 San Antonio

The Milwaukee Fire Department Administration Building now carries the name of the man who designed it six decades ago. The administration building in downtown Milwaukee was built in 1962. Alonzo Robinson was the lead architect, but that's difficult to tell from historical records. "The groundbreaking, construction, dedication and grand opening of this key part of Milwaukee's infrastructure -- I find not one mention of lead architect Alonzo Robinson," said Fire Chief Aaron Lipski.
- PUB DATE: 11/30/2021 4:48:12 PM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

Area firefighters spent Monday morning working on their skills. Around 30 members of the Wisconsin Rapids and Port Edwards Fire Departments came together to train. They spent four hours putting out a controlled fire and learning how to solve different problems. While firefighters train on-duty all the time, off-duty training like this happen four times a year.
- PUB DATE: 11/30/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WAOW-TV ABC 9 Wausau

Merrill fire crews responded to a call at around 2:30 a.m. this morning to find the structure and the building next to it completely engulfed in flames. An all call was put out to all personnel off-duty and other local fire departments, including Wausau, Pine River, and Corning Fire Departments, and Tomahawk EMS.
- PUB DATE: 11/30/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WAOW-TV ABC 9 Wausau

VIDEO: Fire engulfed the center building at Maid-Rite Steak Co. Inc. in Scott Township, sending flames high into the night sky. The fire broke out around 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Explosions rocked the ground as firefighters from 17 local departments tried to knock down the fire inside the meat processing facility.
- PUB DATE: 11/30/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WNEP-TV ABC 16 Scranton

John H. Oates, former fire chief of the East Hartford Fire Department in Connecticut, has been named the new CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute by the organization’s board of directors. Oates replaces Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, who was appointed to lead the U.S. Fire Administration by President Joe Biden in October.
- PUB DATE: 11/30/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: IPSDI

The holidays after losing a loved one can be a difficult time, which is why the Buchanan-based non-profit, Sirens and Salutes is honoring those who lost their lives this year in the line of duty. In front of the Buchanan Volunteer Fire Station, there is a white Christmas tree with a special meaning.
- PUB DATE: 11/30/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSLS-TV NBC10 Roanoke

PHOTOS: Oftentimes first responders must physically get out and open unmanned security gates in neighborhoods when there’s an emergency, but now technology is helping get them through much quicker. For all the unmanned gates protecting communities in Palm Beach County, for years now they’ve been required to have Knox Boxes.
- PUB DATE: 11/30/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WPEC-TV CBS 12 West Palm Beach

A member of Dodge County’s volunteer emergency response team died of COVID-19 over the weekend, according to a Facebook post from the group. Paul Kohlman, who worked with the Dodge County Emergency Response Team (DCERT) since 2008, died Saturday morning from COVID-19 complications. In a Facebook post shared Monday, DCERT officials said Kohlman’s family is in need of financial assistance for his funeral arrangements.
- PUB DATE: 11/29/2021 2:37:24 PM - SOURCE: WISC-TV CBS 3 Madison

VIDEO/PHOTO: Christmas came early for Superior's firefighters. "If you would have asked me two years ago if I would have been working in a brand new fire station with two new ladders, I would have said you're kidding," said Battalion Chief Howard Huber. The Superior Fire Department has not one, but two new aerial ladder trucks.
- PUB DATE: 11/29/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Superior Telegram - Metered Site