Margate, N.J., Firefighter Michael Sher pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to a $7 million role in an unraveling state health benefits scheme that has snared 16 people and, according to prosecutors, involved many more Shore-area firefighters, teachers, and public employees. Sher, 40, of Northfield, submitted his retirement papers to the Margate Fire Department last week, according to his attorney, William J.
- PUB DATE: 3/2/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philly.com

Aerial drones soon could become the latest tool in the Duluth Fire Department's arsenal of resources. On Monday, firefighter Nick Fleming briefed Duluth City Council members on an initiative he called the SUAS project — short for Small Unmanned Aircraft System. "For about the past 1½ years, we've been working on developing a small unmanned aircraft system for the Duluth Fire Department, primarily for our hazmat program.
- PUB DATE: 3/2/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Duluth News Tribune

On March 1, 2 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

A couple who have generously supported fundraisers for others will benefit from one Tuesday. The Baraboo Culver’s restaurant will host a “share night” to benefit Joe Sabol, a Lake Delton firefighter injured while responding to a Feb. 3 freeway accident. The 39-year-old was struck by a passing motorist, suffering a traumatic brain injury.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 9:09:37 PM - SOURCE: wisc news

The Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department is using dollhouses as teaching tools for its firefighters and community members. Three high school students from Gibraltar built the dollhouses with windows and doors, which are then used to show how different factors like air directions can affect the behavior of the fire.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 4:42:51 PM - SOURCE: Door County Daily News

As Isaac King makes his way around the Rhinelander Fire Department, it's obvious he knows just about everything there is to know about firetrucks. "Over here there are wrenches so you can open the nozzle," said Isaac as he demonstrates how to open the nozzle on a truck. The 7-year-old started visiting the fire department more than two years ago.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 3:24:16 PM - SOURCE: WJFW-TV NBC 12 Rhinelander-Wausau

VIDEO: The head of the Onalaska Fire Department is retiring. Mayor Joe Chilsen confirmed to WXOW that Chief Donald Dominick will leave his post on June 22 after serving nearly 12 years with the department. Dominick has led the department since January 2007. Onalaska City Council Member Harvey Bertrand said Dominick has been a close friend and his service to the community will be missed.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 6:17:49 AM - SOURCE: WXOW-TV ABC 19 LaCrosse

Paramedics are the one rushing in the ambulance to give life-saving care, but in a new role in an emerging healthcare trend, they’ll be visiting homes giving blood pressure checks, monitoring recently released hospital patients, and helping grandma navigate the stairs. It’s called community paramedicine, and Cambridge Area EMS Director Bob Salov says it will bring better care to residents.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 6:12:14 AM - SOURCE: Sun Prairie Star

Everyone's invited to the Town of Beloit Fire Departments 29th Annual Pancake Breakfast. The event will be held from 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday at Beloit Turner High School, 1231 E. Inman Parkway. It will cost $6 for adults; $3 for ages 5-11; and is free for children age 5 and under. "Everyone looks forward to it," said Norm Nitz, co-chairman of the pancake feed and firefighter/EMT.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 5:17:16 AM - SOURCE: Beloit Daily News

VIDEO: Emergency crews responded to a paper mill fire on Milwaukee's east side early Thursday morning. Firefighters were called to Wisconsin Paperboard Corporation around 4:15 a.m. The business is located near Thomas Avenue and Newhall Street. At least 20 workers evacuated the building. Employees told WISN 12 News they tried using a fire extinguisher to put out the fire on a piece of equipment, but the flames spread too quickly.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 5:15:12 AM - SOURCE: WISN-TV ABC 12 Milwaukee

The Justice Department has sued the city of Houston over sex discrimination claims launched by two female firefighters who say their male coworkers tormented them by urinating on the women's bathroom walls and sinks and scrawling vulgar slurs on their belongings. Male firefighters allegedly turned off the cold water in showers to scald their female coworkers and disconnected speakers to prevent women from responding to calls in a string of bad behavior that eventually escalated to death threats, according to the lawsuit.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Houston Chronicle

The Portland Firefighters’ Association Local 43 has launched an effort to seek more help from the city in coping with their most traumatic emergency calls. “We're trained to raise ladders and pull lines but we're not trained to deal with the stress,” said Isaac McLennan, Vice President of Local 43. McLennan said he's pushing to end a stigma some firefighters believe.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KGW-TV 8 Portland

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Esri and the Intermedix Preparedness Division, soon to be Juvare, announced today that beta testing of the new National Mutual Aid System (NMAS) will begin in four states. In October 2017, the IAFC, leader in emergency response worldwide, entered into an agreement with Esri and the Intermedix Preparedness Division to build the next generation of NMAS software, which was originally developed by the IAFC in 2008.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs

Criminal charges against a firefighter who allegedly threatened to "kill" colleagues he claimed had mistreated him over his religious faith will be dropped in six months if he stays out of trouble and continues mental-health treatment. Raheem Hassan's case was adjourned in contemplation of dismissal during his appearance Wednesday in Criminal Court.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Staten Island Advance

VIDEO - There’s an unexpected update to a story from last week about a Burnsville firefighter. Bill D’Agostino retired Wednesday afternoon after 36 years on the job. As we told you last week, he got a very special retirement gift from a longtime friend — Noah Hamm. It was a heartfelt thank you book, filled with photos of Noah visiting the Burnsville fire station since he was 6 years old in 2004.
- PUB DATE: 3/1/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCCO-TV CBS 4

PHOTO: Fire crews were called to senior living facility in Monona on Wednesday afternoon. Dane County Dispatch said firefighters were called to Heritage Senior Living on Owen Road around 12:15 p.m. for a report of a structure fire. A spokesperson with the Monona Fire Department said there was no fire instead it was some smoke due to a burned out fuse.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2018 11:21:28 AM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison

On February 27, 6 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

VIDEO: Weeks after two high-ranking Mosinee fire officials stepped down, they're moving to block the release of personnel files. Last month, the Mosinee Fire Commission held a meeting where they decided to put Former-Chief Doug Jennings on paid leave. Former-Deputy Chief Emily Dobeck was present in that meeting.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2018 5:46:16 AM - SOURCE: WAOW-TV ABC 9-Wausau

The South Shore Fire Department recently began an internship program with the Racine Unified School District, and two Case High School seniors are the program’s first recruits. The internship was recommended by South Shore Fire Department Chief Robert Stedman in the fall. “Chief said ‘Let’s give these high school students a chance to experience this as a career and educate them on some of the things we do,’” said Lt.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2018 2:12:20 AM - SOURCE: Racine Journal Times

California may be in the thick of winter, but state fire crews are on the front lines of a new battle. Fire officials met at the state Capitol Tuesday, planning for another destructive year and to prevent one like 2017. From Napa to Ventura County, 2017 may have been a record year for destructive fires in the state.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOVR-TV CBS Sacramento