A glitch in Pittsburgh’s new payroll system triggered overpayments totaling about $400,000 for nearly half of the city’s 600 firefighters, officials said. The city is now asking for the money back. The problem occurred in late December after arbitrators provided a new five-year contract to the International Association of Firefighters Local 1, officials said.
- PUB DATE: 3/6/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

If people need to get in from outside in the event of an emergency in downtown Bloomington, the fire department wants to let people know with specific voice directions in addition to the blare of a siren. The Bloomington Fire Department wants to install an outdoor warning siren with public address capability on the roof of the Government Center, 115 E.
- PUB DATE: 3/6/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Bloomington Pantagraph

One of the most important tools for the Mount Vernon fire department is now half a century old. "You can see the scratches and marks on it. The once really bright red paint is more of an orange color now. It's faded over the past 50 years. But overall, it's still an excellent running truck," said Chief Brad DeLay, Mount Vernon Volunteer Fire Protection District.
- PUB DATE: 3/6/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KSPR-TV ABC 33 Springfield

With the elimination of their positions finalized earlier this week, firefighters are asking the city to negotiate on the change to public safety officers. Scott Dix, president of Cedar Falls Firefighters Local 1366, made the request to begin formal union negotiations in a letter sent to the city Wednesday.
- PUB DATE: 3/6/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

It was not just an active shooter call, but an active shooter call on a massive campus of buildings that contain potentially harmful chemicals. IT's the worst possible scenario that Milwaukee firefighters train for. "It becomes apparent to you rather quickly this is not some false alarm or prank call," said Aaron Lipski, assistant chief with the Milwaukee Fire Department.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2020 8:32:03 PM - SOURCE: WITI Fox Channel 6

His mother says that Finn Sullivan has a “heart of gold” and loves animals. As it turns out, the 11-year-old DeForest boy, who attends school in the Sun Prairie Area School District, is also relentless when fighting for something he believes in. Starting when he was 10, Finn began working to convince fire departments around Wisconsin to buy oxygen masks for pets affected by fires.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2020 1:05:14 PM - SOURCE: DeForest Times

As Michael Wargolet drove his family home Feb. 17 after coaching a youth hockey tournament in Illinois, a man on the side of the road caught his eye. “It looked like someone needed help,” Wargolet said. The man, who had parked his vehicle on the side of Interstate 41/94, was frantically attempting to get the attention of passing drivers.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2020 1:00:22 PM - SOURCE: My South Now

A 15-year-old Green Bay girl has been charged with homicide for the death of her infant nephew in a house fire last June. On March 4, charges of 1st Degree Intentional Homicide and Arson were filed against Marcelia Dolores Flora Fonseca. Fonseca is accused of starting the fire that killed her 11-month-old nephew.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2020 8:39:12 AM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay

Dave Dean has retired as chief of the Hartland Fire Department. In a resignation later dated Feb. 27, Dean said he had been contemplating retirement for some time. "I have had a fantastic opportunity to switch gears moving forward," Dean wrote. "This has been a difficult decision, however it is time.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2020 6:53:33 AM - SOURCE: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Firefighters Local 313, the local union of firefighters in Morgantown, is dissatisfied with the proposed budget from City Manager Paul Brake because they said it puts the safety of citizens and firefighters at risk. The initially proposed budget would decrease the number of firefighters from 61-49, a reduction of 12 positions.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WBOY-TV 12 Clarksburg

With wires stuck to his head and a stuffed toy monkey in his arms, Brian McCoy heaved a deep breath as he settled into a reclining chair at South Metro Fire Rescue’s headquarters in Centennial. He slipped on headphones, put up his feet and watched as a TV screen played scenes from under the sea: dolphins twirling, seaweed swirling, sharks prowling.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Denver Post - Metered Site

VIDEO: The Webbers Falls Fire Station in eastern Oklahoma caught fire Wednesday, destroying one building and all the gear inside it. "Our department is now on the ground," Webbers Falls Fire Chief Shawn Smith said. "It was heartbreaking, this is our second home, we spend a lot of time down here." Smith and other volunteer firefighters were out of town attending training for severe weather when the fire was reported before 2 P.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KHBS/KHOG-TV ABC 40 Fort Smith

VIDEO: More than 40 years ago, the first woman went through Norfolk's fire academy. Pamela Ells-Johnson was just 25 years old and tells 13News Now that she was simply looking for a career when she applied. She ended up paving the way for women in Norfolk Fire-Rescue. Although back then, it was called Norfolk Fire Department.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WVEC-TV ABC 13 Hampton

PHOTOS: Ever have a hard time making a turn on a tight Wollaston street packed with parked cars? Try doing it in an almost 60-foot-long fire truck. As Quincy’s development boom continues, the fire department is preparing to put into service a new, $1.45 million tiller truck to help firefighters take tight turns and get closer to ever-taller buildings.
- PUB DATE: 3/5/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Patriot Ledger

Two Department of Public Works employees were injured Wednesday afternoon after being hit by a vehicle. The collision happened about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday near North 52nd Street and West Hampton Avenue in Milwaukee. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said the two were hit while they were picking up trash in the median on Hampton Avenue.
- PUB DATE: 3/4/2020 1:48:16 PM - SOURCE: WISN-TV ABC 12 Milwaukee

Pets are family. Now firefighters in Waupaca will be better equipped to help furry friends during a fire. The Waupaca Area Fire District has received new pet oxygen masks. They were donated by Invisible Fence's Project Breathe Program. “Animals tend to hide in a fire and owners can’t always find their pets,” says Waupaca Area Fire District Safety Officer Tim Banaszak.
- PUB DATE: 3/4/2020 1:37:25 PM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau

Two people were displaced from their home after a fire Tuesday night in a duplex on the city’s west side. Fire crews responded to the fire around 7 p.m. in the 400 block of Silver Spring Drive, according to the Green Bay Metro Fire Department. The first units on scene saw heavy smoke and fire coming from the living room windows.
- PUB DATE: 3/4/2020 3:58:07 AM - SOURCE: Green Bay Press-Gazette

The City of Ann Arbor and the firefighter union agreed Monday night to new collective bargaining terms before the expiration of the current contract for the first time in 25 years. City Council voted 8-1 to approve the contract March 2 at Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St. Council also voted unanimously to approve a new contract with the police department deputy chiefs.
- PUB DATE: 3/4/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: MLive.com

PHOTOS: The criminal complaint filed against Press Bar owner Andrew Charles Welsh outlines firefighters' efforts to contain the fire and details leading up to the blaze. Welsh is suspected of setting the Feb. 17 fire that destroyed the historic building by igniting an accelerant on his office desk, according to court records.
- PUB DATE: 3/4/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: SCTimes

Republican State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington along with Democrat Ram Villivalam from Chicago are sponsoring legislation to help volunteer firefighters and EMT's with a $500 tax credit. Metamora Fire Chief Mike Sluga said he hopes this new tax credit could help boost recruitment. Metamora's Chief Sluga has been on the job for almost 40 years.
- PUB DATE: 3/4/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WEEK-TV NBC 25 Peoria