A home in Grafton is considered a "total loss" after a fire in Grafton. Firefighters responded to 585 High Bluff Drive shortly before 5:00 p.m. Wednesday. Grafton Fire Chief William Rice said a fireplace in a bedroom started something on fire. Firefighters say they believe the family tried to take the items outside and got them to a window, but strong winds contributed to causing a "substantial fire.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2019 4:49:32 PM - SOURCE: Today's TMJ4

The Galesville Area Volunteer Fire Chief took to Facebook to voice his concerns for the safety of his emergency workers. According to the post, the department responded to a two-vehicle head-on collision yesterday which involved rerouting traffic for over an hour. One fireman, in full gear with a reflective vest and lighted stop sign, had to jump out of the way twice for vehicles failing to slow down.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2019 10:52:15 AM - SOURCE: WKBT-TV CBS 8 La Crosse

The FirstNet public safety communications platform – built with AT&T* in a public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) – is growing in a big way. More than 10,000 public safety agencies and organizations across the country have subscribed. And over 1 million FirstNet connections are in service, bringing first responders and those that support them the reliability, capability and accountability they trust to carry out their mission.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: AT&T

Bob Nicks, president of the Austin Firefighters Association, and Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker are locked in a battle over whether the city should sign on to a new mutual aid agreement with emergency services districts in both Travis and Williamson counties and several small cities. While Baker appears to have the winning hand, he says he has worked hard to compromise with the union, giving it nearly everything it was seeking.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Austin Monitor

Los Angeles County firefighters on Tuesday won approval to ask voters for more money to help their sprawling department tackle increasingly destructive wildfires and a growing volume of medical calls. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to place a proposed parcel tax on the March ballot. The tax would apply to residents in the department’s coverage area, which spans 58 cities and the county’s unincorporated areas.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTLA-TV WB 5 Los Angeles

The union representing Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters says reduced staffing at one of the city’s 31 fire stations is putting public safety at risk. According to Isaac McLennan, vice president of the Portland Firefighters Association Local 43, only two on-duty firefighters are currently regularly staffed around-the-clock at Station 23, located on Southeast 13th Place.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPTV FOX 12 Portland

There are too many medial calls in the city of Albuquerque and not nearly enough paramedics or trucks to handle them. Now, Albuquerque Fire Rescue is asking the state public regulation commission to change the rules so they can help patients. “We’ve had a significant increase in calls in 5 years, last year ran 90,000 medical calls 110 total calls system here in the City of Albuquerque… it’s just really busy right now,” said Deputy Chief Emily Jaramillo with AFR Emergency Services.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KRQE-TV CBS/FOX 13 Albuquerque

The Basilica of St. Josaphat on Milwaukee’s south side is trying to raise more than a half of a million dollars to install a new state-of-the-art fire system. CBS 58 has covered its many restorations, in the last 25 years, more than $20 million have gone into building repairs and restoration. Milwaukee's fire chief, Mark Rohlfing, says the fire system upgrade would cost $580,000.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2019 8:42:07 PM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

In the past, the town of Medary has relied on the city of Onalaska to provide fire, and emergency services to their town. But in recent years, the town has used services from the City of La Crosse's fire department on a short term basis. Now, they're looking at a long term commitment with the city.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2019 5:28:04 PM - SOURCE: WKBT-TV CBS 8 La Crosse

If you've gone shopping in our area, you are probably familiar with Salvation Army bell ringers. While the donations all go to the same place some of our area's bravest and finest had some fun with the competition Tuesday. Police and Fire Chiefs from La Crosse and Onalaska faced off in a friendly competition this afternoon.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2019 4:48:14 PM - SOURCE: WKBT-TV CBS 8 La Crosse

The Superior Fire Department’s snowmobile and rescue sled started going on medical runs about suppertime Saturday, Nov. 30. By Monday afternoon, it had been deployed at least 30 times and was still responding to medical emergencies on side streets that had yet to be cleared. “It’s been busy,” said Battalion Chief Steve Edwards with the department.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Duluth News Tribune

A crowd of people lined up on one end of Worcester's Union Station one recent Sunday morning. They were there to see a special exhibit commemorating the Worcester Six. "I guess 20 years is the time to break all this stuff out again and show the people. And the people still support us,” said Angelo Bongovio, a Worcester firefighter from 1983 to 2011.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WBUR 90.9 FM

In the Fall of 2017, a member of the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department (DFR) died by suicide. Earlier that year, the firefighter had been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) and as a result faced disciplinary action. When the department learned of a second alcohol-related issue later the same year, and pending the outcome of the investigation, additional disciplinary action led to the firefighter being placed on administrative leave.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse

Community groups threatened demonstrations and legal action against a newly signed controversial Monroe County law to protect emergency responders from threats and harassment. "We will certainly challenge it in court,” Rev. Lewis Stewart, president of the United Christian Leadership Ministry, said. “That's a fact.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WHEC-TV NBC 10 Rochester

Emergency dispatch centers in Lake County are studying ways to consolidate or share the same equipment, personnel and policies to provide better service and increase efficiencies for residents and visitors. Since 2013, Lake County, through the Lake County Emergency Telephone System Board, has studied whether consolidating more than a dozen independent primary and secondary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) or dispatch centers in Lake County could enhance 911 service, according to Jim Hawkins, a deputy county administrator who also serves as 911 consolidation planning project manager.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chicago Tribune - Metered Site

The city of Lansing cannot unilaterally withdraw from Leavenworth County Fire District No. 1 by terminating an interlocal agreement. That is according to a ruling issued last week by Leavenworth County District Judge David King. The judge also ruled that a termination of an interlocal agreement cannot be used to require the apportionment of all of a fire district’s property.
- PUB DATE: 12/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Leavenworth Times

A 21-year tradition continued in Oshkosh Monday night, with the first of five parades around the city to collect donations for the Salvation Army. “We go around with the fire trucks and pick up food and toys for the citizens of Oshkosh,” Firefighter Brian Blaha of the Oshkosh Fire Department explained.
- PUB DATE: 12/2/2019 8:54:11 PM - SOURCE: WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV Green Bay

Officials say a Milwaukee Fire Department ambulance was struck by a car near Keefe and MLK on Tuesday, Dec. 2 while transporting a patient from another location. Authorities say a firefighter in back was injured and taken by another ambulance to St. Mary's Hospital along with the initial patient. The driver of the second vehicle was also taken to a local hospital.
- PUB DATE: 12/2/2019 7:40:31 PM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

Columbus Books and Beer welcomes Wisconsin author and retired Milwaukee firefighter Gregory Renz for a discussion about his award-winning novel “Beneath the Flames” Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at Cercis Brewing Company, 140 N. Dickason, Columbus. Renz’s debut novel has gained attention with some stellar endorsements and reviews, including one from Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of the bestselling novel, “The Deep End of the Ocean.
- PUB DATE: 12/2/2019 10:35:46 AM - SOURCE: Columbus Journal - Metered Site

Elected officials from the Village and Town of Waterford and the Village of Rochester agree: A joint fire and emergency medical services district would benefit all three municipalities. But at least 22 years after a consolidated department was first proposed, the chance of a district for these western Racine County communities appears further off than ever.
- PUB DATE: 12/2/2019 4:57:00 AM - SOURCE: Racine Journal Times - Metered Site