In a blow to the Kokomo firefighters’ union, a Howard County judge late last week denied a sweeping request that was at the center of a recent complaint filed against city officials. The decision, denying the union's request for arbitration and injunctive relief, is the latest development in what has become a publicly contentious clash over the two sides’ collective bargaining efforts toward a new contract - a process that began in June and has included at least eight private meetings.
- PUB DATE: 1/2/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: kokomotribune.com

VIDEO: A Shawano County family is without a home following a fire in the Town of Almon Monday night, according to officials on scene. Authorities said no one was home at the time of the fire and no one was hurt. The house is a total loss. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Firefighters are battling a structure fire in the Town of Almon.
- PUB DATE: 1/1/2018 9:05:12 PM - SOURCE: WAOW-TV ABC 9-Wausau

VIDEO: A St. Germain family spent New Years Day cleaning up their home after a fire destroyed it Sunday night. Just after 6:00 P.M., an elderly woman called police because her house was filling with smoke. And now, the Stejskal family is picking up what's left. "My dad's 48 inch musky was on the wall there, but that's gone now, obviously," said Ray Stevens.
- PUB DATE: 1/1/2018 1:52:21 PM - SOURCE: WJFW-TV NBC 12 Rhinelander-Wausau

On December 30, 12 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 29, 19 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 30, 7 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 29, 17 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 28, 23 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 29, 9 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 27, 11 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

Police said human remains were found inside a house that burned early Friday in Polk County. The St. Croix Falls Police Department said the body of an adult was found in a home at 906 N. Washington St. in St. Croix Falls. Firefighters and police responded to a structure fire call there at 5:30 a.m. Police were working to identify the deceased and said the fire's cause remains under investigation.
- PUB DATE: 12/29/2017 7:25:34 AM - SOURCE: Hudson Star-Observer

On December 28, 21 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

Mothers and their children frantically scrambled down fire escapes to survive the inferno that consumed their Bronx homes. They dashed out into the frigid night in whatever they were wearing, without jackets, without shoes, just holding on to their lives. They were the lucky ones. A raging fire quickly swept through the five-story building on Prospect Ave.
- PUB DATE: 12/29/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Daily News

First responders across the United States now have access to FirstNet after all 50 states, two territories and Washington, D.C. opted into the network. AT&T announced that all first responders can now choose to use the lifesaving communications network. “This is a landmark day and monumental achievement for public safety – one that has been years in the making,” First Responder Network Authority Board Chair Sue Swenson said.
- PUB DATE: 12/29/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FireRescue1.com

A handful of words often come to mind when most people think of the fire service. Bravery, duty, compassion and sacrifice are among the most common, but the one that stands above all others for one Detroit-area family is dedication. One family has shown more dedication to the Detroit Fire Department over the last century than many could imagine.
- PUB DATE: 12/29/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse.com

They used to be points of pride among firefighters – and with some they might still be considered as such. But now area fire departments, as well as many others around the country, are trying to teach their personnel that dirty coats and soot-blackened helmets represent cancer risks to be avoided. Studies have shown firefighters developing or at risk of developing cancer at a higher rate than the general population – nearly twice as much with some forms of cancer such as testicular or malignant mesothelioma.
- PUB DATE: 12/29/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Examiner

Two dozen horses died in an early morning blaze at Folly Farm in Simsbury Thursday, one of the deadliest barn fires nationally in recent years and a staggering blow to the family-owned farm. All 24 horses housed in the farm’s largest barn died of smoke inhalation, according to James Baldis, chief of Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department.
- PUB DATE: 12/29/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Hatford Courant

VIDEO: Milwaukee firefighters have been busy this week battling multiple house fires, but one local alderman is concerned whether there enough resources to cover all the fires. Alderman Bob Donovan, 8th district, posted to Facebook Thursday: "That could cost us so many lives. Minutes count, seconds count when you're talking a fire, when you're talking emergency medical services, and this is unacceptable, but sadly it's a state Milwaukee finds itself in," said Alderman Donovan in an interview with CBS58.
- PUB DATE: 12/28/2017 10:26:33 PM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

Madison firefighters rushed to frozen Lake Monona Wednesday morning to rescue a reported dog stranded on the ice, but the dog turned out to be an eagle. The call for an animal rescue came in around 7:40 a.m. by a passerby who saw what she believed to be a dog on the ice about 100 yards from shore near Monona Terrace.
- PUB DATE: 12/28/2017 10:09:16 PM - SOURCE: Madison

VIDEO: The extremely cold temperatures we've been seeing this week are hard for anyone to handle, but it's especially tough for those who have to work outside. That includes members of the La Crosse Fire Department, who responded to a fire at Harter's Recycling Center in the city's industrial park Wednesday night.
- PUB DATE: 12/28/2017 8:47:51 PM - SOURCE: WKBT-TV CBS 8 La Crosse