A recent fatal house fire in Bartonville drew attention to a little known but vital system of inter-agency agreements that help firefighters get help when they need it. Mutual aid is nothing new. Most people know that if a fire is too big, a department will call in reinforcements or backups. But how those additional resources are called and in what order remains a mystery to most people not involved in firefighting.
- PUB DATE: 8/2/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Peoria Journal Star

Las Vegas Paramedic/Firefighter Matthew Driscoll knew he had transported human trafficking victims in an ambulance. So when an injury forced him into light duty, he had an idea about how to spend that time: he started working on a training program to help first responders, hospital employees, counselors and social workers recognize signs they were encountering trafficking victims.
- PUB DATE: 8/2/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal

A Racine man is facing charges after reportedly attempting to burn down a family member’s home following an argument. Clifford E. Mullins, 52, of the 1500 block of Monroe Avenue, is charged with felony arson of a building and three felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety. According to the criminal complaint: On Tuesday, Mullins got into an argument with a family member at the family member’s home in the 1500 block of Monroe Avenue, where Mullins was also staying.
- PUB DATE: 8/1/2018 4:31:10 PM - SOURCE: Racine Journal Times

Local students got a crash course in fire rescue and firefighting Tuesday as part of the Hendricks CareerTek summer academy series, hosted by the City of Beloit Fire Department at Fire Station One. Students were able to dive into what it takes to save lives for fire operations, from firefighting tactics used by departments across the country to getting hands-on experience with fire prevention and fire control techniques.
- PUB DATE: 8/1/2018 9:06:14 AM - SOURCE: Beloit Daily News

Two families were displaced Tuesday afternoon after a fire in the attic an apartment structure caused fire damage to one apartment and water damage to another. A neighbor to the 701 McKay Way apartment noticed the smoke from the roof and contacted emergency personnel shortly before 1 p.m. “From what I got, a neighbor across the street saw the smoke and called it in right away,” Waterloo Fire Chief Vern Butzine said.
- PUB DATE: 8/1/2018 1:46:47 AM - SOURCE: Waterloo / Marshall Courier

Hillsborough County will reopen its review of four paramedics facing discipline in the case of a stroke patient who died, saying it needs to know more about why the medics decided not to transport her during an emergency call. County Administrator Mike Merrill announced the decision after the paramedics gave statements during closed hearings into the matter Tuesday at County Center.
- PUB DATE: 8/1/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tampa Tribune and TBO.com (Tampa Bay Online)

According to the Asheville Fire Department, for the second time in North Carolina history, a firefighter death caused by cancer is being determined by the Industrial Commission as a “line of duty death.” The fire department says this decision means his family will receive a survivor’s benefit. It will also give Willis’ children free college education at public North Carolina universities.
- PUB DATE: 8/1/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLOS

A district judge issued a temporary restraining order against Mayor Sylvester Turner in the latest chapter of the long-standing dispute with the firefighter's union over a pay parity initiative. The Houston Professional Firefighter's Association claims Turner and council member Dave Martin, who is also named in the suit, used a meeting last week at the council's subcommittee on finance to campaign against the initiative that would establish "pay parity" between police officers and firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 8/1/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTRK-TV ABC 13 Houston

Firefighters who inadvertently left food cooking on the stove caused the fire that left their northwest Omaha fire station with extensive damage. It will take at least three weeks to repair the damage caused by the Sunday morning fire at Station 43, near 103rd and Fort Streets, officials said Monday.
- PUB DATE: 8/1/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Omaha World-Herald

After four contentious years, the nuts and bolts of the contract dispute between the city and its firefighters’ union should be decided during a two-day arbitration hearing in the fall. The city and the Watertown Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 191 will meet on Oct. 18 in an “interest arbitration” proceeding regarding the overall firefighters contract.
- PUB DATE: 8/1/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Watertown Daily Times

Madison firefighters practiced their skills Tuesday on buildings set for demolition. They were working on vertical ventilation tactics, which allows them to release heat and smoke during fires. Madison firefighters typically train at Madison College, but they said Tuesday was a great opportunity for more training since the buildings on campus don't change.
- PUB DATE: 7/31/2018 8:52:50 PM - SOURCE: WMSN-TV Fox 47 Madison

A 23-year-old Kronenwetter man charged with setting fire to a four-stall garage at the apartment where he lived is behind bars on $25,000 cash bond. Tyler Atkinson was arrested at the scene. Kronenwetter Police Chief Terry McHugh said the damage is likely around $100,000. First responders were called to the Timber Creek apartment complex, off of Kronenwetter Drive, around 2:30 a.
- PUB DATE: 7/31/2018 3:46:08 PM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau

Nobody was injured after a fire cost thousands of dollars in damages to a home on the west side of Madison early Tuesday morning. The home suffered more than $5000 in damages after improperly discarded rags and paper towels used for staining spontaneously combusted, starting a garage fire. Fire crews arrived at a garage with black smoke coming from the eaves on Allen Street that was filling both Allen Street and Kendall Avenue with smoke around 12:30 a.
- PUB DATE: 7/31/2018 10:44:11 AM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison

Firefighters say the fire at NCL Graphic Specialties Inc. is still burning, but is contained. Crews say they expect to be on the scene for another eight hours. Around one-third of the building is a total loss. Authorities say damage is estimated around $1 million. Authorities say 20 employees were inside the business at the time but were able to get out safely.
- PUB DATE: 7/31/2018 3:36:51 AM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

The cause of the fire that destroyed Friendship Bar & Bowl in the Village of Friendship is under investigation. The fire was reported just after 1 a.m. A portion of Highway 13 was closed as crews worked to control the fire. The road re-opened to traffic just before 8 a.m. Monday. Adams Fire District Chief Mike Rusch said nearly 40 firefighters from four departments responded to the scene.
- PUB DATE: 7/31/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSAW 7 News

Looking at the Green Bay skyline, not many high-rise buildings are in view. But, in the event of an emergency, responders have to be ready for the few taller buildings in Northeast Wisconsin. That was the case last week, after a 10-story apartment building caught fire in Green Bay’s downtown. It happened at about 4:00 p.
- PUB DATE: 7/31/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WBAY ABC 2 News

In emergencies, it’s said that seconds can be the difference between life and death. Gainesville Fire Rescue’s new downtown fire station, which became operational at noon Monday, will use new technology to help firefighters shave seconds off response times and save more lives, said GFR Deputy Chief JoAnne Rice.
- PUB DATE: 7/31/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Gainesville Sun

The union representing Houston firefighters sued Mayor Sylvester Turner and a City Council member on Monday, alleging the officials are improperly using public resources to oppose a "pay parity" ballot initiative. The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association accuses Mayor Turner and Council Member Dave Martin, who represents Kingwood, of campaigning against the ballot initiative, which would tie firefighter pay to that of Houston police officers of comparable rank and seniority.
- PUB DATE: 7/31/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Houston Chronicle

The Eighth Utilities District has settled a lawsuit filed by a former fire chief for $200,000, a source said Monday. No one involved with the case, including the former chief, Paul Litrico, would comment on the matter. The source spoke on condition of remaining anonymous. "Both sides have a confidentiality agreement not to disclose any details," Litrico wrote in an email.
- PUB DATE: 7/31/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Hartford Courant

A little girl was able to bring a welcome delivery to firefighters battling the deadly Carr Fire . Two-year-old Gracie Lutz arrived with warm breakfast burritos prepared by her grandma Lori. Chelsey Lutz tells KTVU her daughter Gracie has uncles and a grandpa working on the Carr Fire, "so we wanted to give back.
- PUB DATE: 7/31/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTVU-TV Oakland, San Francisco, Bay Area