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

VIDEO: One person was taken to the hospital after police said someone opened fire Monday morning in southwest Charlotte, hitting a fire truck and two other vehicles. The shots rang out around 9:20 a.m. close to a 7-Eleven near the intersection of Clanton Road and Barringer Drive. Police said bullets hit a fire truck but no CFD firefighters were injured.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSOC-TV ABC 9 Charlotte

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 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTMJ-TV NBC 4 Milwaukee

VIDEO: The governor's mansion is now decorated for the holidays and is open to a limited audience over the next several days. "I looked at the decorations at the mansion and I thought, 'This is Mississippi's home and I just helped decorate it.' Wow, what an honor," decorator Trina Dendy said. The mansion is filled with traditional Christmas decor including eight Christmas trees and over 30 wreaths.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WAPT-TV ABC 16 Jackson

No one was hurt after a fire Monday morning at Jagemann Plating. Fire crews responded around 3:15 a.m. after a caller reported a fire in the barrel room, Manitowoc Fire Rescue Department said in a news release. Officials said firefighters saw smoke when they arrived and were told by staff everyone made it safely out of the building.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2020 9:30:40 AM - SOURCE: Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter

Seventeen deaths were added today to the total of those who have died due to COVID-19, according to the latest numbers from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Deaths for each day are reported by DHS HERE. DHS also reported 90 people were newly-hospitalized. As of Saturday afternoon, 1,593 COVID-19 patients were being treated in Wisconsin hospitals, down 67 from the day prior.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WKOW-TV ABC 27 Madison

PHOTOS/VIDEOS: A six-alarm fire tore through a historic, 128-year-old Reformed church in the East Village early Saturday morning. Firefighters rushed to Middle Collegiate Church on East 7th Street and Second Avenue following reports of a fire at an empty, nearby building—48 East 7th Street—that began just before 5 a.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Gothamist.com

Three Montana wildland firefighters had a significant reason to be grateful on the recent Thanksgiving holiday. On Sept. 5 at around 1:45 p.m., as 100-foot flames shot overhead, the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation helitack team was trapped by the Bridger Foothills fire. Cornered by a spot fire that had spread as winds gusted up to 28 mph, cutting off their escape route, they scrambled to protect their lives.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Billings Gazette - Metered Site

The Portland Fire Department's entire Bramhall and Engine 11 Stations called out sick Sunday. "Basically what happened is we had a member who came in and didn't know that they were COVID positive but after they got off duty they found out," Portland Firefighters Local 740 Union President Chris Thomson said.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCSH-TV NBC 6 Portland

An Irving firefighter was severely injured early Sunday when he was struck by a suspected intoxicated driver going the wrong way on State Highway 183, police say. At about 3:45 a.m., Irving police and fire crews were working a five-vehicle accident on SH183 near Story Road. The accident, which had injuries not thought to be life-threatening, had shut down the highway.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KXAS-TV NBC 5 Fort Worth

The Philadelphia Zoo is thanking frontline workers in a big, blue way. The Philadelphia landmark recently lit up its Main Plaza with dazzling blue lights to thank healthcare workers and first responders. The new light display on the trees and front entrance buildings at 34th and Girard are illuminated with the goal of ringing in the holidays while also thanking healthcare workers and first responders during the global pandemic.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philadelphia Metro

Nicole Smithback felt her “entire world” stop when she received a call May 29 that her husband, Michael, was unresponsive and being flown via MedFlight to UW Hospital in Madison. That’s what she wrote in a message thanking Baraboo District Ambulance Service paramedics for their life-saving measures after a car accident that caused life threatening injuries for her husband.
- PUB DATE: 12/6/2020 10:40:43 AM - SOURCE: Baraboo News Republic

Madison firefighters responded to an accidental fire at an aluminum supplier building Friday morning. An incident report said crews were sent to the 100 block of South Fair Oaks Avenue for a report of a fire inside Madison Kipp Corporation at about 7:15 a.m. Madison Gas and Electric also responded. Staff quickly evacuated the building as crews arrived to the scene.
- PUB DATE: 12/5/2020 6:17:53 AM - SOURCE: WISC-TV CBS 3 Madison

While they’re not going door-to-door this year because of the pandemic, Oshkosh firefighters are still collecting toys and cash donations to help out families in need. Their holiday collection effort kicked off Thursday night, with Santa leading the effort. Oshkosh firefighters set up in a parking lot just outside Station 15, and cars and trucks lined up to donate gifts.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay

Over 100 new COVID-19 cases and no additional virus-related deaths were reported in Rock County on Thursday, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). Rock County added 107 new cases, bringing the countywide total to 9,660 cases and 90 deaths. A total of 58,681 negative tests have been reported and 7,606 county residents have recovered from the virus.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Beloit Daily News