VIDEO: More than 500 firefighters are on staff in Wichita. Of those, only six have been through the smoke divers training in Georgia, and three others attended a spin-off course in Oklahoma and Indiana. Those who have passed the training said it is helping their response time to save those in need.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KSNW-TV NBC 3 Wichita

Gov. Tony Evers was in Amherst to sign 2021 AB 297 into law on Monday. The governor was joined by Democratic Rep. Katrina Shankland, of Stevens Point and other local elected leaders, first responders, roadside assistance workers, and construction and utility workers. “Many of the jobs are hazardous enough on their own without having to fear for your life due to a distracted or dangerous driver,” said Governor Tony Evers, “at every crash site, our states emergency responders whether it’s fire, law enforcement, EMS, towing and transportation, are at risk of being struck, injured, or even killed.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau

When Julio DeCastro, a civilian worker at Pearl Harbor’s naval yard, reached the capsized U.S.S. Oklahoma on the infamous morning of December 7, 1941, he heard the sound of frenetic tapping of sailors trapped within the hull. Hours earlier, during a surprise assault on the Honolulu military base, Japanese forces had bombarded the American battleship with torpedoes, sending it rolling onto its side with more than 450 men still below deck.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Smithsonian Magazine - Metered Site

VIDEO: An expanded partnership between the Columbus Fire & EMS Department and the Muscogee County School District helps the city recruit firefighters and provides job opportunities for aspiring public servants, right out of high school. After department officials visited each MCSD high school to explain the program last spring semester, more than 25 students participated in the Saturday morning program called Combat Challenge.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Ledger-Enquirer

The Campbell Fire Department pulled Santa Claus and his sleigh through French Island to spread holiday cheer while educating the community. Starting at the Campbell Fire Department, Santa Claus and firefighters took pictures while educating families about fire safety. After taking pictures, Santa gifted children with small treat boxes and firefighter handed out bags filled with coloring pages and informational pages about fire safety.
- PUB DATE: 12/6/2021 6:43:11 AM - SOURCE: WXOW-TV ABC 19 LaCrosse

The Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) is investigating the circumstances surrounding a house fire in Fredonia Saturday night, Dec. 4, that rekindled early Sunday, Dec. 5, causing authorities to re-put out the fire. Authorities say first responders reported to a residential fire around 9:02 p.m.
- PUB DATE: 12/6/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

VIDEO/PHOTOS: A three-alarm fire raged early Monday (Dec. 6) at the Cypress Run Apartments complex in Algiers. Occupants smelled smoke around 4:40 a.m. and began evacuating the first involved three-story building before New Orleans Fire Department crews arrived on scene, resident Kiesha Williams told WVUE-Fox 8.
- PUB DATE: 12/6/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WVUE-DT FOX 8 New Orleans

VIDEO/PHOTOS: A Hubert Volunteer Firefighter received treatment at Vidant Medical center after an accident involving their fire engine Saturday. Deputy Chief of the Hubert Volunteer Fire Department, Hernan Melendez, said the accident happened when his team was returning from the annual Maysville Christmas Parade.
- PUB DATE: 12/6/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLOS-TV ABC 13 Asheville

There’s a reason that the death toll of the Winecoff hotel fire in 1946 has never been surpassed. Immediately after the disaster that killed 119 people, cities across the country began to re-examine their fire codes. In their definitive 1993 book, “The Winecoff Fire,” co-authors Sam Heys and Allen Goodwin point out that the blaze prompted new laws requiring sprinkler systems, fire escapes and fire doors.
- PUB DATE: 12/6/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Metered

VIDEO/PHOTOS: What if you could control the force of gravity to avoid injury? A couple of Cincinnati inventors have a device that allows people and objects to descend slowly and carefully. Bailout Systems is the brainchild of retired Navy diver Michael Ragsdale, who along with mechanical engineer Ben Krupp, have come up with something the size of a hockey puck.
- PUB DATE: 12/6/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WVXU 91.7 FM Cincinnati

Talk to many firefighters and they’ll explain that "suck it up and get on the truck" mentality. "Coming from a law enforcement family, to talk about feelings and emotions is a challenge at times," admitted firefighter Dustin Hawkins. "After my father, being 30 years in law enforcement, I just now coaxed him into the ‘snuggle with the struggle.
- PUB DATE: 12/6/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTVT-TV FOX 13 Tampa

Beloit police opened an investigation into a death after a car crash Saturday, when an intoxicated driver collided with a fire truck. According to a news release from Beloit Police Department spokesperson Sarah Lock, the crash happened at Leeson Park at 4:03 p.m. Saturday. Marvin Flint, 56, crashed into a fire truck with lights flashing.
- PUB DATE: 12/5/2021 1:13:48 PM - SOURCE: WKOW-TV 27 ABC Beloit

One man is dead after a fire in Beloit. According to the City of Beloit Fire Department, firefighters responded around 2:00 a.m. to the 600 block of Broad Street. Fire officials say they will be on scene for several hours on Sunday morning. The assistance of the State Fire Marshal has been requested.
- PUB DATE: 12/5/2021 5:53:29 AM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison

Flags flying at half-staff Saturday will honor a Pardeeville firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty after contracting COVID-19. A celebration of life for Brandon R. Romo will be held the same day. Gov. Tony Evers issued the order Friday morning, saying Romo “was incredibly beloved by those who knew him,” and extending his and First Lady Kathy Evers’ condolences to the 32-year-old’s family, friends, and the Pardeeville community.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2021 6:50:01 AM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison

An old fire engine in the town of Dewey is going to be repaired. The 1940's era truck had served the town for decades before being found last summer in Illinois. Dewey's fire department had asked for someone to give the truck proper space so it can be fixed, and they've gotten their wish. The department's captain, Brian Lepper, says it's important to keep a tradition like this one alive, for the sake of nostalgia.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WAOW-TV ABC 9 Wausau

VIDEO: Dec. 2, 2021 marked the fifth anniversary of an Oakland tragedy. In 2016, a late night fire broke out at a warehouse. It happened during a dance party and killed 36 people. The master tenant, Derick Almena, was sentenced earlier this year to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KRON-TV MyNetwork 4 San Francisco

A new partnership between the American Cancer Society and the International Association of Fire Fighters will work to improve policies and treatment for firefighters with cancer. The IAFF, or firefighter’s union, describes the new partnership as pivotal in their battle with cancer. The collaboration was announced Thursday, Dec.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLOS-TV ABC/MyNetwork 13 Asheville

It's a tool that can be the difference between life and death on the scene of a fire. The Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department is now making sure every crew has a special kit that can treat patients for smoke inhalation. A house fire on Saturday could have been a tragedy, but firefighters say the victim inside was saved by a tool they recently started carrying.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KMBC-TV ABC 9 Kansas City

Actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore welcomed the Long Beach Fire Department to the “Drew Barrymore Show” last month. Barrymore recognized the entire department, highlighting firefighter Catherine Lewis. Lewis, who is known as Cat to her fellow firefighters, was sworn in as the first paid female firefighter in the department’s 111-year history in March, which Barrymore noted.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: LIHerald.com

VIDEO: A long-awaited addition to the Hermon Fire Department has finally arrived. A new training prop is helping firefighters be better prepared to enter burning buildings. “We’ve been getting pictures of this as it’s been built over the months, so it’s kind of like a baby. We’ve been waiting for it to arrive,” said Hermon Fire Chief Frank Roma.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WABI-TV CBS/CW+ 5 Bangor