VIDEO: Crews spent hours on the scene of a fire in Gates, after an explosion sent flames and debris into the sky Wednesday night. Firefighters say it happened at 6:11 p.m. on Noel Drive off Lyell Road. More than 100 firefighters ultimately from more than 10 are fire districts responded to the scene. "We are happy to report that despite the extensive damage suffered to the three homes and other properties in the area there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 12/10/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Rochester First

Virtual reality has many applications, from video gaming to treating post-traumatic stress disorder to tours of buildings at Missouri S&T and other institutions. Benjamin Kwasa, assistant professor of engineering management and system engineering, is working with the city fire department in Rolla to use virtual reality in another application – firefighter training.
- PUB DATE: 12/10/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Missouri University of Science and Technology

VIDEO: The Indianapolis Fire Department is warning people not to follow the dangerous lead of a woman who hitched a ride on the back of a fire truck Tuesday. A motorist driving behind the truck took a video of the incident, which IFD posted Wednesday to social media. The woman can be seen in the video standing on the truck's rear bumper ledge and holding onto the side with one arm.
- PUB DATE: 12/10/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Indianapolis Star

VIDEO: The Cleveland Division of Fire recently helped a local man in trouble. Engine 23 was called to a scene after a man reportedly poured gasoline over himself. Upon arrival, firefighters said the man was holding a lighter and said he was going to light himself on fire. Calling for backup, firefighters, along with Cleveland police worked together to keep the man from harming himself.
- PUB DATE: 12/10/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WJW-TV FOX 8 Cleveland

In the coming weeks, thousands of Coloradans will get access to COVID-19 vaccines. Wednesday, state health officials released a 3-phase plan, prioritizing high-exposure health care employees. “We felt like there was a miss there,” says Don Lombardi. “They didn’t do as much homework as they should have.
- PUB DATE: 12/10/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KDVR-TV FOX 31 Denver

More patients means more work for support staff, including EMS workers. With all of the gear they have for protection there is still a risk for first responders. A new shield created by EMS equipment company FERNO looks to change that. “They go on the cot, it’s just a velcro strap, that straps behind the cot here, and it just straps on to the cot like this, you can put your patient on the cot then all you have to do is fold this down,” demonstrates Lexi Schwartz, Marshfield Medical Center EMS Coordinator.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2020 10:29:59 PM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau

Green Bay Firefighter/EMT Thomas Donnan will be deploying to the Middle East this month. Master Sergeant Donnan will be acting as Assistant Chief of Operations for the Air Force Fire Department at his deployment location. Donnan will be deployed to the Middle East until Sep. 2021. Donnan is not the only Green Bay area first responder who was deployed overseas.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2020 3:55:55 PM - SOURCE: WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV CBS 5 Green Bay

An early morning fire caused thousands of dollars in damage to an Appleton home Wednesday. Crews found flames coming from the basement of the home on the 300 block of S. Midpark Drive around 1:30 a.m. At first, the Appleton Fire Department said a person was thought to have been trapped inside, but found everyone was out of the house when they got there.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2020 2:13:51 PM - SOURCE: WGBA-TV NBC 26 Green Bay

Firefighters from more than a dozen fire departments helped the Pewaukee Fire Department battle an early morning fire at Michael's House of Prime on Wednesday. The call came in for a structure fire at the popular Pewaukee restaurant, N278 W2316 Prospect Ave., at about 4:01 a.m., according to a news release from the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2020 7:57:58 AM - SOURCE: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

An EMS unit was robbed in Brooklyn after the suspect apparently made a bogus call to lure them to him. The incident was reported Monday at 11 p.m. at a location at 365 Sackman Street. Police say a 45-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, party of a voluntary ambulance squad, responded to that location for reports of a patient experiencing "difficult breathing.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WABC-TV ABC 7 New York

VIDEO: "This happens when we all pull together." That's what Jim Graybeal said in a Facebook post after catching something pretty incredible on video. A fire broke out last week at a place called Wholesale Hardwood Interiors in Campbellsville, Kentucky. That's in Taylor County, just a few counties south of Louisville.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLKY-TV CBS 32 News

A statue of a Naperville firefighter in rescue mode rushing into danger illuminates the night sky along Jefferson Street in a tiny park nestled near the bridge over the west branch of the DuPage River. “Ladder of Light” created by Naperville artist Paul Kuhn in partnership with Dark Moon Designs and Intelligent Lighting Creations was unveiled Monday just after dusk on the 50th anniversary of the day three Naperville firefighters were killed when their fire truck was struck by another vehicle.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chicago Tribune - Metered Site

VIDEO: A massive blaze erupted at a vacant commercial building right next to the 10 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles, prompting a response from more than 100 firefighters Tuesday evening. A massive plume of smoke was visible from miles out as the fire raged at the one-story building, located at 651 E.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KABC-TV ABC 7 News Los Angeles

The pandemic may have changed how first responders answer calls for help, but their focus remains the same – saving lives. Both firefighters and EMTs face new risks in this time of coronavirus. “As a manager, it scares me more for the well-being of our employees,” says Jason Flegner, deputy director of operations for Bell Ambulance.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

When Chippewa Valley EMS workers load their next coronavirus patients into ambulances, they may have a little more protection if those patients need additional oxygen. Four local fire and EMS departments are getting a FERNO patient shield — a clear, collapsible shield that can cover a patient’s entire head and torso when they’re lying on an EMS cot.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2020 11:50:22 PM - SOURCE: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram

The pandemic may have changed how first responders answer calls for help, but their focus remains the same – saving lives. Both firefighters and EMTs face new risks in this time of coronavirus. “As a manager, it scares me more for the well-being of our employees,” says Jason Flegner, deputy director of operations for Bell Ambulance.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2020 2:40:39 PM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

In what has been arguably the toughest year in recent history for first responders, access to care for post-traumatic stress disorder remains out of reach through the state's workers' compensation law. Back in February, the I-Team reported on a bill in Madison that would include PTSD as a workplace injury for firefighters and police officers.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2020 7:25:43 AM - SOURCE: WTMJ-TV NBC 4 Milwaukee

For firefighters and paramedics, coronavirus presents a new risk to an already risk-filled job. "We've seen a lot of tragedy this year, which is heartbreaking," Wauwatosa Fire Department Division Chief Chris Sandoval said Monday. As the COVID-19 death toll continues to rise, the death of Ixonia EMS Capt.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WISN-TV ABC 12 Milwaukee

Just weeks before a COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be made available to U.S. medical workers and first responders, a firefighters' union internal survey taken by members of the country's largest fire department shows that more than 50% say they would not take it, mirroring what appears to be a nationwide hesitancy to get the shot.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: ABC News

The Chicago Police Department released stunning surveillance footage Monday showing the moments leading up to and following the fatal shooting of a retired fire lieutenant in the city's Beverly Woods neighborhood. Dwain Williams, 65, was shot and killed during an attempted carjacking on Thursday after leaving a gourmet popcorn shop in the 11700 block of South Western Avenue.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WMAQ-TV NBC 5 Chicago