The 70’s TV show “Emergency!” introduced the concept of paramedics to millions of viewers and inspired thousands to become EMS practitioners themselves. Some historians say it launched modern EMS in the U.S. Now the two stars of the show are co-producing a documentary to tell the story of today’s paramedic—following a pandemic that strained our healthcare system and revealed the critical role that paramedics play in caring for their communities.
- PUB DATE: 8/11/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Journal of Emergency Medical Services

When Gerald Sanford retired from the FDNY in 1997, he never anticipated that he would return to his post after one of the darkest days in American history. In “It Started with a Helmet,” Sanford and his partner, Chris Griffith, detail the gripping story of Sanford’s contributions to the FDNY after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers.
- PUB DATE: 8/11/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Staten Island Advance

VIDEO: If you look closely, there are still scars left over from the explosion of a ruptured natural gas line in San Francisco’s Inner Richmond neighborhood more than two years ago. The blast rocked Geary Blvd. at Parker Ave. on the afternoon of Feb. 6, 2019. A two-story building on the corner – site of Hong Kong Lounge II restaurant and residences on the second floor – was extensively damaged by a giant orange fireball that sent diners running for their lives.
- PUB DATE: 8/11/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPIX-TV CBS 5 San Francisco

VIDEO: Crews from multiple departments are battling a large fire at the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson. The fire broke out shortly after noon Tuesday and reached five alarms. The Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson occupies several large buildings in a former industrial park on Oak Street. The fire consumed a transit warehouse that houses military tires and other chemicals.
- PUB DATE: 8/10/2021 12:59:11 PM - SOURCE: WISN-TV ABC 12 Milwaukee

The Tomah Fire Department turns 150 years old in 2021. To acknowledge the anniversary, the Tomah Fire Department is hosting a sesquicentennial celebration Saturday, Aug. 28. The day will kick off with a fire truck parade at 11 a.m. on Superior Avenue in Tomah. The parade will proceed south in the northbound lane.
- PUB DATE: 8/10/2021 9:02:36 AM - SOURCE: Lacrosse Tribune

Major health care systems in Wisconsin are moving to reopen COVID-19 units as the number of virus-related hospitalizations in the state continues to rise. Gundersen Health System announced Monday that it would reopen its COVID-19 unit in La Crosse after closing it in April. Bridget Pfaff, Gundersen’s clinical operations director for infection control, said the hospital is already seeing a spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
- PUB DATE: 8/10/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Wisconsin Public Radio

Smoke has been funneling into Wisconsin at an unprecedented level due to wildfires and weather patterns, impacting air quality and sensitive groups. Researchers argue climate change is driving extreme heat that’s fueling wildfires and degrading the air people breathe. Hundreds of wildfires are burning across the western United States and Canada.
- PUB DATE: 8/10/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Ashland Daily Press

VIDEO: One hundred and thirty years of history were destroyed in minutes after a fire ripped through one of Pueblo’s longest-standing buildings. The Albany Event and Wedding Venue has stood on Albany Avenue between East 7th and 8th streets since the late 19th century. It’s now in ruins following Monday afternoon’s devastating blaze.
- PUB DATE: 8/10/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KKTV CBS 11 Colorado Springs

PHOTOS: Eugene Richards lives in Brooklyn, but was out of the country on September 11, 2001. When he returned to New York City four days later, he has written, he "metamorphosed into a bruise." He stayed home, convinced that no one needed another photographer surveying the wreckage. But Richards's wife and collaborator, Janine Altongy, insisted that they go see it.
- PUB DATE: 8/10/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Atlantic

VIDEO: Dayle Keefer, a Medina County man who calls himself "the Picasso of fire hydrants," is giving back to the community, one brushstroke at a time. Keefer moved to Brunswick not too long ago from Jamestown, New York to be closer to family. The 72-year-old retired from his job as a church pastor after more than 50 years.
- PUB DATE: 8/10/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WEWS-TV ABC 5 Cleveland

A local fire station transformed into center stage for a Nashville first responder who starred in a new music video from award-winning country artist Tenille Townes. Townes enlisted Nashville firefighter Shannon Wells for a video accompanying "Girl Who Didn't Care," a summer anthem about women following their dreams with child-like courage and passion.
- PUB DATE: 8/10/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tennessean

Illinois will take a first step toward reducing the use of firefighting foam containing harmful “forever chemicals” under a bill signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday. The measure aims to curb the use of one source of PFAS chemicals that are tied to a host of health threats, largely through a limitation on using the foam for anything other than emergencies.
- PUB DATE: 8/10/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chicago Sun Times - Metered Site

A motorcyclist was found in a field with severe head injuries after getting into an accident on Saturday morning in the Town of Weyauwega. According to the Weyauwega Area Fire Department, at around 2:41 a.m., crews responded to Highway 10 near the intersection of county road U for reports of a motorcycle accident involving a deer.
- PUB DATE: 8/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFRV-TV CBS 5 Green Bay

The morning after a powerful storm passed through southeast Wisconsin, members of the Kenosha County Dive Team urged people to avoid large bodies of water until things settle down. "People will think that, ‘Oh, I swim in one of the inland lakes on a regular basis. It’s just a little bit bigger. There’s not a whole lot of difference,’" said Deputy Chief Ben Andersen, Somers Fire & Rescue and Kenosha County Dive Team.
- PUB DATE: 8/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WITI-TV FOX 6 Milwaukee

On Saturday night, the 1/5-mile of Macon Speedway welcomed race fans to the popular bullring oval. Local racers raced for big prizes in the 3rd annual Diane Bennett Memorial. Watch the Macon Speedway fire video below. In the Pro Modified feature, a scary fire broke out. Billy Justice Jr and Chris Erwin tangled in turn three.
- PUB DATE: 8/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Racing News

When he went to his physical exam in October, Lt. Greg Galehouse felt like he was in pretty good health. The Akron firefighter had an active lifestyle and no sign that anything was wrong. After blood work, an EKG and a physical stress test, everything seemed OK. After they took ultrasounds of his organs, Galehouse thought, he’d get his paperwork and be on his way.
- PUB DATE: 8/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Akron Beacon Journal - Metered Site

Pointing to long-running structural and health concerns, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced on Friday that the Oak Street Firehouse will be temporarily relocated. The mayor said that operations at the Station 4 Firehouse will be moved until the city can make long overdue repairs. The firefighters and equipment will be immediately relocated to the Station 3 Firehouse until the city can establish a temporary Station 4 located near the Mount Vernon West MetroNorth train station.
- PUB DATE: 8/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Mount Vernon Patch

On a recent afternoon, Antoine Mosley was panhandling on Cerrillos Road when the city’s Alternative Response Unit arrived. The unit includes a caseworker, a paramedic and a police officer who respond to low-threat 911 calls usually related to behavioral health issues. The unit members are trained in de-escalation techniques and often connect people in crisis with mental health and housing services.
- PUB DATE: 8/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Santa Fe New Mexican

PHOTO: The partnership between Oklahoma State University and the City of Stillwater has always been crucial to the success of each institution as a whole. Stillwater and OSU sprang up almost simultaneously over 125 years ago, and their connection remains strong to this day, with their latest partnership culminating in an OSU-branded ladder truck for the Stillwater Fire Department.
- PUB DATE: 8/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Oklahoma State University

Officials say a fire broke out at an Elkhart Lake building Friday evening. According to the Elkhart Lake Fire Department, crews were called to the 100 block of East Rhine Street at 7:42 p.m. for smoke coming from an upper level apartment. After arriving, crews eventually found fire in the attic area, and were able to quickly put out the flames.
- PUB DATE: 8/8/2021 11:33:29 AM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay