Firefighters and pyrotechnics manufacturers agree state laws allowing Ohio residents to purchase but not launch fireworks in-state are ineffective, but disagree on how to fix them. Fireworks proponents say the answer is to relax the existing law. Though it hasn’t been legal in decades, a pair of bills before the General Assembly would allow Ohioans to purchase so-called 1.
- PUB DATE: 5/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Dayton Daily News

Dozens of Fox Valley residents spent Memorial Day completing a grueling test of physical and mental strength in honor of the fallen. It's called the Murph Challenge. The challenge is named for Navy Seal Lt. Michael Murphy, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005. Kaukauna's Murph Challenge also honored fallen Appleton firefighter Mitch Lundgaard.
- PUB DATE: 5/27/2019 9:59:32 PM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau

The Eau Claire Fire Department was dispatched for a water rescue this afternoon. Units responded to an area of the Chippewa River near the UWEC foot bridge for a report of several people separated from their kayaks and in distress. Firefighters arrived to find that two individuals in a group of three had made it to shore; the third was in fast moving water, clinging to an overhanging branch.
- PUB DATE: 5/26/2019 6:13:44 PM - SOURCE: WEAU-TV 13 News

Madison’s Brat Fest is filled with music, food and fun—but on Saturday, the event also featured a more serious fire safety demonstration, displaying the necessity of home sprinklers. This is the first year the demonstration, organized by the National Protection Fire Association (NFPA) and the Madison Fire Department, has come to Brat Fest.
- PUB DATE: 5/25/2019 3:16:04 PM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison

On May 24, 4 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On May 19, 9 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

Janesville police arrested three suspects, including one juvenile, in connection with a fire in the bathroom at Bond Park. According to a release from the Janesville Police Department, officers responded to the fire at 6:01 p.m. Thursday at the park on the city's west side. The release said witnesses were able to describe the three males and a vehicle involved.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2019 5:12:37 AM - SOURCE: WISC-TV Channel 3000.com Madison

Some Wisconsin legislators are pushing to curtail the use of firefighting foams that contain potentially toxic chemicals and establish standards that limit how much of the substances can safely exist in the state's groundwater, air and soil. Firefighting foam can contain polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are man-made chemicals that research suggests can decrease female fertility, increase the risk of high blood pressure in pregnant women and lower birth weights.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2019 5:06:07 AM - SOURCE: Madison.com

Olive Preuss, 7, ignited Portage firefighters’ hearts Wednesday when she offered a priceless gift to a couple classmates after a local family was displaced by a house fire two weeks ago. Passing up the chance to ride inside a firetruck to St. Mary’s Catholic School on Wednesday morning, Olive asked the Portage Fire Department to instead take her friends Easton Van Zile, 7, and Avery Van Zile, 5.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2019 3:33:31 AM - SOURCE: Portage Daily Register

The district where a fallen Appleton firefighter's children attend school is providing counseling and other services in the wake of his death. Mitchell Lundgaard, a 14-year veteran of the Appleton Fire Department, was shot and killed May 15 after responding to a medical call that authorities said escalated into a shootout between the patient and police.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2019 1:42:21 AM - SOURCE: Appleton Post-Gazette & Post Crescent.com

A bill that would increase penalties for Scott’s Law violations has passed both chambers of the General Assembly. Democratic Rep. Marcus Evans, of Chicago, said the 2002 “Slow Down or Move Over Law” was passed in memory of the death of Lt. Scott Gillen, a firefighter who was killed by a passing motorist while assisting a traffic accident.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Northwest Herald

VIDEO: Soon, fire fighters will be the only first responders rescuing people from Panama City Beach's Gulf waters. Right now, police officers, firefighters, and parks and recreation officials all share the responsibility. Handing the torch to the fire department aims to save more lives in the end. It's a trend throughout the state.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: MyPanhandle.com

A new mural at the Ogunquit Fire Department -- a colorful, expansive depiction of three key moments in the department’s long and proud history -- will be unveiled after Monday’s Memorial Day Parade. The mural is the result of a collaboration between Nathanael Pierce, a firefighter and paramedic, and local artist John Stand, who owns Out of Sight, Out of Mind, a gallery at 622 Main St.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: SeaCoastOnline.com

An emerging class of toxic chemicals is getting more attention in Madison as worries about contamination from the compounds is growing in Wisconsin. Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, said Thursday he was supporting legislation to give state regulators more enforcement powers over the chemicals. Also, two Republican legislators — Rep.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Journal Sentinel

Something more than 100 years old was discovered in the north Valley: A Merced Fire Department badge from 1916. This badge has great significance to the city of Merced. It belonged to a volunteer firefighter and on Thursday, it was returned to his family. "One of my neighbors found a Merced fire badge that was dated 1916 and had the fella's name on it," says Lloyd Pareira, Merced County Supervisor for District 4.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: MyCentralValley.com

PHOTOS: Madison police and fire teams are investigating after two people forced entry into a northside apartment and allegedly started a fire. According to a release from Madison police, the incident was reported at 9:41 p.m. Thursday. The fire was at a four-unit apartment building in the 1300 block of Ruskin Street.
- PUB DATE: 5/23/2019 11:01:40 PM - SOURCE: WISC-TV Channel 3000.com Madison

On May 19, 8 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

A man walked directly into the path of a bus in Lake Nona on Wednesday. The 15-passenger self-driving shuttle came to a halt and let out a loud beep – preventing a collision and turning heads from the firefighters in attendance. The demonstration was part of a training session meant to teach Orlando’s first repsonders how to handle emergency situations involving Beep autonomous vehicles, soon to hit the roads in the southeast Orlando community.
- PUB DATE: 5/23/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Orlando Sentinel - Metered Site

As communities in southeast Wisconsin continue to grow, so does the need for volunteer firefighters. Fire Chief Tim Allen of the Union Grove Yorkville Fire Department has been in the business for decades, so firefighting is in his blood. "I grew up in this business. My dad did it for 34 years, so I have been here since I have been a kid," said Allen.
- PUB DATE: 5/23/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTMJ-TV NBC 4 Milwaukee

According to some Heartland first responders, a feature on your smart phone could save your life. “Medical ID” shows information about your health, especially important if you’re ever unresponsive or unable to communicate. “Everybody never thinks it’s going to happen to them until it’s done,” said Quentin Goode, Stoddard County Ambulance District EMT and Strike Team.
- PUB DATE: 5/23/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KFVS-TV 12 CBS Cape Girardeau