Premature. That is how a state Supreme Court judge described a lawsuit filed by Utica fire Chief Russell Brooks against the City of Utica when he ruled to dismiss it without prejudice. Brooks filed his lawsuit against the city and Mayor Robert Palmieri. In it, Brooks claimed the city rejected an application for sick leave benefits connected with his chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a condition he said was contracted as a result of his response to ground zero for 9/11 recovery operations.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Utica Observer-Dispatch

The House of Representatives Monday night passed the United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4661) under suspension of the rules of the House, which usually is reserved for non-controversial legislation. The bill would: Authorize $76.49 million in funding for the U.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs

The municipality of Anchorage has paid one of its firefighters more than three-quarters of a million dollars after his successful lawsuit against the fire department. It’s the second large civil award this year the municipality has paid to a public safety employee, after two police officers won $2.7 million last summer in a lawsuit over racial discrimination.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Alaska Public Radio

Poor communication by Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers with Gatlinburg authorities undermined the initial response to last year's deadly wildfire and cost lives, a report released Tuesday found. "Insufficient warning by (the park) contributed to a dramatically reduced time frame to conduct needed evacuations," the outside review concluded.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Knoxville News Sentinel

As Hermosa Beach moves toward contracting with the Los Angeles County Fire Department for firefighting services, 13 firefighters have sued the city over how their regular and overtime compensation has been calculated, it was announced today. The suit filed in federal district court alleges the city has violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and seeks not only the compensation the firefighters say they deserve but double damages spanning three years as a penalty, plus interest and attorneys fees, according to Katie Casey, Hermosa Beach's public information officer.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KNBC-TV NBC 4 Los Angeles

VIDEO: Green Bay Metro firefighters are making a difference this holiday season. On Tuesday, they delivered hundreds of gifts that will be given to area teenagers in need. Firetrucks loaded with presents arrived at Shopko Hall Tuesday morning. The gifts will be handed out as part of the Salvation Army's Christmas Assistance program.
- PUB DATE: 12/19/2017 3:17:47 PM - SOURCE: WLUK TV Fox 11

Firefighters on Monday night, December 18th responded to the scene of a garage fire in Sheboygan County. The call came in around 11:15 p.m. It happened on State Highway 67 near Woodchuck Lane in the Town of Plymouth. As officers were arriving they confirmed that the garage was fully engulfed and spreading to the residence.
- PUB DATE: 12/19/2017 6:46:44 AM - SOURCE: WITI Fox Channel 6

On December 18, 14 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 15, 17 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

Racine firefighters will receive pay increases in January and July next year if a proposed collective bargaining agreement receives approval. The city and the firefighters union, Local 321, negotiated firefighters’ wages for the next three years. The tentative agreement would cover the wages of Racine’s firefighters and paramedics in ranks from private through captain.
- PUB DATE: 12/19/2017 2:29:22 AM - SOURCE: Racine Journal Times

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Altoona may put a new spin on that old saying when the City Council considers an ordinance allowing the city to assess service charges to nonresidents and nontaxpayers who require emergency calls. Altoona fire Chief Mark Renderman will make a presentation on the proposed ordinance at the council meeting at 6 p.
- PUB DATE: 12/19/2017 2:12:32 AM - SOURCE: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram

Officials say a firefighter suffered a heart attack while responding to a call at a Chase Bank Monday morning in Nyack and later died. Nyack fire crews responded to the bank on North Broadway around 8:30 a.m. after reports of a chemical spill. Officials say a battery in the bank's alarm system overheated, creating an odor.
- PUB DATE: 12/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: News 12 Westchester

The city and state used private investigators to check on firefighters out on extended sick leave after the city’s Fire Department failed to conduct those compliance checks, state officials said. The decision to use investigators, allowed under the state takeover of the city, came after city and state officials were made aware of possible abuse of sick leave, said Lisa Ryan, spokeswoman for the Community Affairs Department.
- PUB DATE: 12/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Press of Atlantic City

A Cranston firefighter who accused a deputy chief of assaulting him has filed a federal lawsuit against the chief, the city of Cranston, and the fire union. As first reported by Target 12, Lieutenant Scott Bergantino filed the suit Friday, alleging assault, poor training, breach of duty, and negligence.
- PUB DATE: 12/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WPRI-TV Providence 12

Milwaukee Fire Engine 6 rolled out of its east side station on Brady St. for the last time Monday morning. Current and retired firefighters and neighbors came out shortly before 8 a.m. to bid farewell to the beloved firehouse and honor those who occupied it, keeping the neighborhood safe for generations.
- PUB DATE: 12/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Matthew Rose and his father, Richard Rose, have spent a total of 113 years firefighting. Matthew, a former Stonelick Township fire chief, has spent 43 years saving lives at three different fire departments in Greater Cincinnati. Richard has 70 years under his belt; he’s worked everywhere from Loveland to Goshen to Fayetteville.
- PUB DATE: 12/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCPO-TV ABC 9 Cincinnati

Madison officials are scrambling after construction bids for a proposed Fire Station No. 14 on the Southeast Side came in $600,000 to $1 million over the estimated $5.8 million cost. Miron Construction Co. had the low bid, $6.39 million, while Joe Daniels Construction came in at $6.71 million and Ideal Builders at $6.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 7:32:03 PM - SOURCE: Madison

Members of the city's Fire Station Planning Task Force will meet on Tuesday to discuss whether the city would benefit more from a new fire station or a remodel of an existing one. In August, the La Crosse Common Council approved the formation of the task force. It consists of Fire Chief Ken Gilliam along with numerous city officials and council members.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 4:44:49 PM - SOURCE: WXOW-TV ABC 19 LaCrosse

VIDEO: Six fire stations across Milwaukee were closed Monday, December 18th after budget cuts by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. People gathered outside Engine 6 to watch the final moments. "This is a sad day. This is a day I never thought I'd live to see," said Greg Wenzel, retired battalion chief, MFD.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 3:52:45 PM - SOURCE: WITI Fox Channel 6

On December 15, 16 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.