Many measures implemented initially in reaction to demands associated with the COVID-19 pandemic likely will become long-term components of public-safety communications, particularly in the 911 arena, public-safety representatives said during a recent webinar. Mel Maier, captain of the emergency communications and operations division of the Oakland County (Mich.
- PUB DATE: 6/3/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: IWCE'S Urgent Communications

PHOTOS: A day after he ran 80 miles to raise money for colleagues struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, former Woodstock firefighter and paramedic Ryan Mains was sore, tired and thankful. “I don’t know how I can express my gratitude,” he said from his home in Huntley. “The support we got in the months leading up to it and yesterday was so incredible.
- PUB DATE: 6/3/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chicago Tribune - Metered Site

The health effects of COVID-19 pose an extra danger to people with underlying health conditions — like the thousands of workers who sprang into action on September 11, 2001. Michael Barasch is an attorney who represents members of the 9/11 community, including the rescue workers and cleanup crews who spent months in the pile of rubble after the World Trade Center towers collapsed in New York City.
- PUB DATE: 6/3/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSHU Public Radio

Fond du Lac residents will be able to simultaneously enjoy some delicious ice cream and support the local Fond du Lac Fire Rescue on June 5. The fire department will be hosting a Fond du Lac Fire Rescue Appreciation Night on Friday to help fund public outreach programs. The event will be from 3 p.
- PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 4:44:30 PM - SOURCE: WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV CBS 5 Green Bay

VIDEO: Fond du Lac firefighters battled they called a "major fire" at an historic building in the city early Tuesday. The scene is at the former Northern Casket Company building at 16 N. Brooke St. The building is listed as an historic property on the Wisconsin Historical Society website. The Fond du Lac Fire Department says Brooke St is closed between Division and Western.
- PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 3:42:34 AM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay

VIDEO: Racine Police Chief Art Howell said that he believes the bulk of violent activity late Sunday and early Monday in the city was perpetrated by outsiders looking to escalate or take advantage of protests. At a press conference on Monday afternoon, Howell pointed to evidence that indicated to him that some of the violence after a protest of the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, was not done by members of the Racine community.
- PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 2:08:23 AM - SOURCE: Lake Geneva News

VIDEO: Firefighters are responding to a large multi-structure fire in South Sacramento. According to Sacramento Fire, the incident is at 3400 La Grande Boulevard. The 5 alarm fire has spread to multiple structures including a body shop, mattress factory, and pallet storage facility. The fire chief said firefighters are running into a major issue with water pressure, making the firefight more difficult.
- PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOVR-TV CBS 13 Sacramento

The city of Youngstown says it is moving forward with a plan to brown out fire stations after the fire department's overtime budget has been wiped out. Finance Director Kyle Miasek told the city council finance committee Monday night, through the first five months of 2020, $116,000 has been spent on non-holiday overtime.
- PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFMJ-TV NBC/CW 21 Youngstown

For the first time in memory, Florida is about to start hurricane season with its emergency operations center already up and running, and already at its highest alert level because of the coronavirus. And the prospect of managing overlapping natural disasters has state and local officials, emergency managers, first responders, hospital executives, utility officials and restaurant and lodging executives in high anxiety mode.
- PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tallahassee Democrat

Four days and nights of protests, some of which turned violent, tested the training, planning, and safety equipment of Denver Health paramedics and EMTs. By Monday, first responders had treated more than 100 people involved in the protests, despite being attacked several times, Denver Health reported.
- PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KCNC-TV CBS 4 Denver

With every new headline about a mass shooting, terrorist attack, hate crime or natural disaster, many of us fear for our safety and that of our loved ones. In 2020, though, by far the biggest safety concern on Americans’ minds is the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed around 100,000 Americans and infected nearly 1.
- PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Wallet Hub

A final salute was held Monday night in Bloomer for the community's long-time fire chief, Brian Bleskacek. Fellow firefighters, along with other friends and family came out as a show of support. In November, Bleskacek was diagnosed with stage four inoperable bladder cancer. He passed away last week.
- PUB DATE: 6/1/2020 8:12:42 PM - SOURCE: WEAU-TV NBC 13 Eau Claire

At least 15 people have been arrested after a second night of protests devolved into more violence in Madison, according to police. In a blog post, Interim Chief Vic Wahl says officers were present starting at around 6 p.m. Sunday, when a group started protesting peacefully on the Capitol Square. The group grew to several hundred people over the next few hours, extending beyond the 9:30 p.
- PUB DATE: 6/1/2020 3:42:58 AM - SOURCE: WISC-TV CBS 3 Madison

VIDEO: A huge fire broke out in several residences in South Boston early Saturday morning, and five of the firefighters trying to contain the blaze were hurt. The seven-alarm fire erupted about 3:30 a.m. on Columbia Road and Douglas Street and tore through about seven homes, the Boston Fire Department said.
- PUB DATE: 6/1/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WBTS-TV NBC 10 Boston

“Peaceful protests by our neighbors exercising their first amendment rights across America are being interrupted by violence and unrest. In the middle of the challenges and turmoil, I am proud of our IAFF fire fighters, paramedics and EMTs who are once again proving their dedication to keeping their communities safe when they are needed most.
- PUB DATE: 6/1/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: IAFF.org

A coalition of national EMS organizations announced a joint fundraising effort to honor EMS providers who died from COVID-19 through the sale of a custom-designed memorial coin. The coin and fundraising effort were conceived by Paramedic Alan Lieberman, and the coin goes on sale starting June 1, 2020 through June 15, 2020.
- PUB DATE: 6/1/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: EMS1

A disagreement surrounding COVID-19 quarantine protocols has sparked a dispute in Cranston, after the mayor’s office ordered firefighters exposed to infected co-workers to return to work while waiting for test results. Four Cranston firefighters have tested positive and at one point about 40 coworkers were in quarantine.
- PUB DATE: 6/1/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WPRI-TV CBS 12 Providence

They often find interesting things, and sometimes uncover an object of historical value. Recently, artifact hunter Axel Macon and two of his friends fired up their metal detectors at a site near Spring Street in Charleston and aimed their electromagnetic bursts at a promising area in the backyard of the property.
- PUB DATE: 6/1/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Post & Courier

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced Saturday the Wisconsin National Guard has been authorized to support the city of Milwaukee in its response to those who have disrupted the peaceful protests within the city. The protests began following the death of George Floyd after a Minneapolis police officer was seen on video kneeling on Floyd's neck while he was handcuffed on Monday.
- PUB DATE: 5/30/2020 3:41:15 PM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay

The Eau Claire and Altoona Fire Departments conducted a live fire training today. They don't often get to have this type of training, but were donated a house from the site that is to become Martin Dental in Altoona. The house is located off of Highway 12 in Altoona. The Altoona fire chief says that this type of training is very valuable and that they are grateful to have a house to be able to use for this purpose.
- PUB DATE: 5/30/2020 3:24:52 PM - SOURCE: WEAU-TV NBC 13 Eau Claire