New York City isn’t the only community dealing with an increase of first responder suicides. Nationally, suicides for both police officers and firefighters have surpassed line-of-duty deaths for the respective positions. In Lakewood, firefighters Ryan Fairbanks and Ryan Birth decided to tackle this epidemic by creating the Fire Peer Support initiative.
- PUB DATE: 8/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Cleveland.com

A 21-year-old former San Bernardino County Fire Explorer is suspected of starting numerous fires that resulted in more than $5 million in damages as a diversion to burglarize fire stations across Southern California, the Orange County Fire Authority said Tuesday. Christian David Saddler, of Hesperia, has been serving a five-year prison sentence on an arson and burglary conviction since July, authorities said.
- PUB DATE: 8/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTLA-TV WB 5 Los Angeles

On a January night in 1883, flames engulfed Milwaukee’s Newhall House hotel, among the tallest buildings in the nation at the time. In just two hours, the fire killed more than 70 people. The fire remains among the deadliest unsolved arsons in U.S. history. The tragedy drew global attention to Milwaukee, with heart-wrenching stories of victims who were burned to death or killed as they leapt from the burning building.
- PUB DATE: 8/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Milwaukee Magazine

MTSU Police has joined hundreds of law enforcement and emergency personnel from throughout Rutherford County to take part in a first-ever comprehensive training program to better coordinate response to major incidents and active threats in the county. MTSU Police Capt. Jeff Martinez, a U.S. Army veteran, is among a group of instructors who is helping train roughly 1,200 emergency personnel by the end of the year made up of law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel representing Rutherford County, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Eagleville, MTSU and Motlow State Community College.
- PUB DATE: 8/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Mufreesboro Voice

With no efforts made to rouse the sleeping guests and residents of the Newhall, most were left to be woken by the fire itself. Many jolted awake from the smell of smoke or the dull roar of the flames taking hold of the elevator shaft. Others woke to the shattering of the glass transom windows above their doors.
- PUB DATE: 8/27/2019 12:38:31 PM - SOURCE: Milwaukee Magazine

VIDEO: A fire retardant drop from a Cal Fire aircraft can be beautiful when you see it in person however, it can be very dangerous to people and vehicles on the ground. The red substance cascading down to the ground from an airplane may appear like a cloud of smoke but a video posted Friday by Cal Fire shows how dangerous it can be.
- PUB DATE: 8/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KNSD-TV NBC 7 San Diego

County Executive Jan Gardner (D) has announced a nearly 8 percent pay raise for the county’s career firefighters and EMTs, starting Oct. 26. In an email to acting Fire Chief Tom Coe and county firefighters — including Stephen Jones, president of the Career Firefighters Association of Frederick County Local 3666, the county’s career firefighter union — Gardner said the raise was to help the county remain competitive with other jurisdictions and show her appreciation to the department.
- PUB DATE: 8/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Frederick News-Post - Metered Site

VIDEO: A large white tent on a lot in a north Provo neighborhood will be home base for a group of firefighters during the next 10 months. The temporary fire station will house crews during the the desperately-needed reconstruction of Provo Fire Station 2. 2News reported on the issues with Station 2 last year — including mold, flooding, and structural concerns.
- PUB DATE: 8/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KUTV CBS 2 Salt Lake City

The family of missing Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighter Brian McCluney remains unflinching in their faith. “I believe in a God of miracles,” said Stephanie McCluney, Brian McCluney wife, at a press conference on Friday. But McCluney’s family is also showing signs that their faith is tempered by resignation that their loved one and his close friend, Justin Walker of Virginia, might not have survived.
- PUB DATE: 8/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: First Coast News

The Daviess County Fire Department has implemented a new program that officials say will be better for both firefighters and the community. The Daviess County Advanced Large Incident Response Team (ALIRT) will help to reduce firefighter injuries, heat exhaustion and fatigue during large incidents, and will give firefighters the chance to work alongside colleagues from various departments across the county.
- PUB DATE: 8/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Owensboro Times

The cause of an Aug. 26 Elmwood fire that left a home a complete loss is under investigation. Four fire departments responded to the fire at 138 W. Shaw Ave. around 11:30 a.m. Monday. No injuries were reported. Three children and one adult were safely evacuated from the home according to Elmwood Fire Chief Rob Bowen.
- PUB DATE: 8/26/2019 4:35:46 PM - SOURCE: Rivertowns

Project Six Wisconsin is an organization with a fairly simple goal: provide support to those who have dedicated their lives to helping others. Now the group is looking to get some help with their efforts through a unique fundraiser. Appleton Fire Battalion Chief Shannon Young says Project Six Wisconsin was a huge help for the Appleton Fire Department after driver-engineer Mitchell Lundgaard was killed in May.
- PUB DATE: 8/26/2019 3:47:49 PM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay

The Appleton Fire Department is kicking off the annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign. For the 65th year, AFD is raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) helping transform the lives of kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related muscle-debilitating diseases. More than 80 Appleton firefighters are hitting the streets and storefronts with boots in hand asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and others to make a donation to MDA on August 26, 27, and 29 from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Walmart and Pick n’ Save in Appleton.
- PUB DATE: 8/26/2019 10:47:19 AM - SOURCE: WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV Green Bay

Everyone inside of a house in Howard escaped a fire late Sunday night thanks to neighbors and smoke detectors. Janke says neighbors spotted the flames and alerted the people inside the home. Smoke detectors were ringing as well. No one was hurt, but firefighters were searching to see if the cats in the home were able to escape.
- PUB DATE: 8/26/2019 12:40:21 AM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay

VIDEO: Three firefighters are recovering from injuries they received while working a massive fire caused by a lightning strike at the Liberty Oaks Apartments on Saturday that displaced 11 families. One firefighter received traumatic injuries after a roof collapsed on him. A second firefighter received first and second degree burns, while a third firefighter is suffering from third degree burns.
- PUB DATE: 8/26/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTOC-TV CBS 11 Savannah

For first responders, the 9/11 terrorist attacks were a mind-numbingly unique and devastating event. “It was hard to prepare for something of that magnitude. It was such a large call,” said Patrick J. Morrison, assistant to the general president for occupational health, safety and medicine at the International Association of Fire Fighters.
- PUB DATE: 8/26/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Safety+Health Magazine

When a first responder knocks on a door, it’s not always clear what sort of situation they will walk into — a distrustful dog ready to bite the stranger entering the home, a violent person, a resident who is severely allergic to the latex gloves, or another unexpected situation. James City County is promoting its Heads Up program, which aims to tackle those unknowns with the help of county residents.
- PUB DATE: 8/26/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

"American Ninja Warrior" is an individual competition that challenges elite athletes with a series of extreme obstacle courses requiring strength, speed, balance, stamina -- and a certain willingness to sacrifice their bodies -- until only the winner remains. But two suburban firefighters have made a name for themselves on NBC's TV show by working as a team.
- PUB DATE: 8/26/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Daily Herald - Metered Site

VIDEO: Texas first responders rode across the state for eight days honoring 14 first responders who died in the line of duty. Thirty-three riders participated in the Texas Brotherhood Ride which started in Hempstead, then on to Dallas and ended at the Texas Capitol. Houston firefighter Robb Hyatt said the goal was to honor first emergency responders and give emotional and financial support to their families.
- PUB DATE: 8/26/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTBC-TV Fox 7 Austin

The La Crosse Fire Department says firefighters responded to a structure fire on Fifth Avenue South Sunday at 7:20 a.m. The fire was at an apartment building across from Poage Park. Firefighter say it took them two minutes to get to the scene, where they saw flames and heavy smoke coming from the middle of the building.
- PUB DATE: 8/25/2019 11:43:58 AM - SOURCE: WKBT-TV CBS 8 La Crosse