Peru will be down one police officer and one firefighter the rest of the year to make up for a budget shortfall after city officials miscalculated how much pay raises, approved last year, would cost the city. Officers and firefighters received a 1.5-percent increase in their longevity pay as part of across-the-board raises approved for city workers that took effect this year.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Kokomo Tribune

Underneath the fluorescent lights of South Middle School’s pool, a firefighter, clad in more than 100 pounds of diving equipment, plunged into the water. A group of about 20 seventh-graders looked on — eyes wide and mouths agape — as the diver sunk lower and lower until he looked like nothing more than a black shape at the bottom of the pool, his presence only noticeable because of a trail of bubbles that billowed to the top.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2019 8:22:41 PM - SOURCE: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram

A couple and their dog were able to escape a residence that caught fire Thursday morning in the town of Oakfield. Firefighters were called out at about 9:20 a.m. to a home at W7256 Hunter Lane for a report that the structure was on fire. The Fond du Lac Sheriff's Office said the fire was determined to be a result of electrical issues, and the residence sustained water and smoke damage.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2019 2:24:03 PM - SOURCE: Fond du Lac Reporter

On February 26, 12 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

A Town of Sun Prairie family is facing extensive damage to their home after an early-morning fire Thursday. More than 10 fire and EMS departments fought the fire at 5332 Stark Road in the Town of Sun Prairie for more than three and a half hours early Thursday morning while overnight temperatures were in the single digits.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2019 5:13:40 AM - SOURCE: WISC-TV Channel 3000.com Madison

A storage building in Pleasant Prairie was damaged by fire Wednesday afternoon. Passers-by noticed smoke coming from the building in the 12700 block of Green Bay Road at about 1:35 p.m. Assistant Chief David Wilkinson of the Pleasant Prairie Fire Department said the department received multiple 911 calls.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2019 2:44:35 AM - SOURCE: Kenosha News

VIDEO: The town of Clover discussed a back-up fire protection plan Monday night for families just in case firefighters make good on a threat to walk out. Firefighters said they are angry that the town’s longtime volunteer chief was not chosen to be the first paid fire chief. The Clover town council called a special meeting Monday evening to discuss the concerns about the threats firefighters made to quit.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSOCTV.com

Firefighters in Pawtucket gathered outside of a private fundraiser for Mayor Donald Grebien Tuesday evening, demanding better working conditions and a contract. President of the Rhode Island State Association of Firefighters (RISAFF) Joseph Andriole said the Pawtucket Fire Department has been working without a contract since 2016.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WPRI-TV

VIDEO: The Riverside Fire Department is busier than ever, and at the same time, has the lowest staffing levels the department has ever seen. The city plans to apply for a federal grant that would let them hire three more full-time firefighters. But, even if they get the grant, those positions would not start until 2020.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Dayton Daily News

VIDEO: Firefighters in Anaheim demonstrated recently why drivers should avoid parking in front of a fire hydrant. Anaheim Fire & Rescue posted several pictures Tuesday of a car parked in the red zone in front of a fire hydrant that was needed to battle a blaze across the street. Both rear windows of the Nissan sedan were broken out, and the fire hose threaded through the car in order to reach the hydrant.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CBS Los Angeles

New York State added a Hampton Bays fire station to its Superfund registry on Wednesday, the third Suffolk site listed for hazardous waste cleanup since 2016 because of links to firefighting foam. The 2-acre site at 69 W. Montauk Hwy. “presents a significant threat to public health and/or the environment,” according to a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation notice.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NewsDay.com

Before Onalaska firefighters fought a house fire Tuesday night, they had to fight to get to the fire hydrant. "We knew where it was because of our mapping system in our fire trucks. But it was buried under ice. It was one of the fire hydrants that didn't get cleared out yet," said Onalaska Fire Department Assistant Chief Troy Gudie.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2019 9:15:33 PM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau

On February 26, 11 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On February 23, 7 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

The emergency radio dispatches from Sunday's 131-car pileup on I-41 start out with a dispatcher sending units to the scene of what was initially thought to be a series of crashes involving 10 or so vehicles on the interstate. But with 911 lines "ringing off the hook," as one dispatcher reported, emergency crews quickly realized they were dealing with a crash involving dozens of vehicles.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2019 6:56:40 AM - SOURCE: Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

Oconto firefighters battled a fire on Gale Street and Mineau around 7 o'clock last night. A two-story home was fully engulfed when crews arrived. Deputy Chief Josh Bostedt tells FOX 11 weather was a factor... "With the cold temperatures, it does impact the safety with the firefighters with ice conditions.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2019 3:18:05 AM - SOURCE: WNFL SPORT REDIO

VIDEO: They put their lives on the line, but fire isn't the only danger. KETV NewsWatch 7 Investigates discovered dozens of Omaha firefighters were treated for cancer in a 20-month period. “Just by chance, I went to the first cancer class for firefighters right after all the studies started coming out,” said Frank Corcoran, vice president of the Omaha Professional Firefighters Association.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KEVT-TV 7

The widow of a Houston fire captain is suing Motorola over allegations that faulty radios were to blame for the massive brain injury her husband suffered during the deadly 2013 Southwest Inn blaze. William “Iron Bill” Dowling was among more than a dozen firefighters injured in Houston Fire Department’s deadliest tragedy when the hotel roof collapsed 12 minutes into the five-alarm call.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Houston Chronicle

Researchers designed a communication intervention strategy to increase post-fire decontamination behaviors in a group of firefighters. Here’s what happened. The decon challenge: Routine firefighting can expose firefighters to substantial cancer risk. A study in 2015 estimated that firefighters have a 14 percent increased lifetime cancer risk compared to the general public.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: U.S. Fire Administration

Two lawmakers in New York City have issued a siren call of sorts, arguing that the shrill sound of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances has got to go. If passed, the legislation would require all emergency vehicles to change their sirens within two years to an alternating high and low sound similar to that heard in many European countries.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NPR.org