35-year-old Michael Peden pleaded not guilty on Monday, December 18th. Peden is a Milwaukee Fire Department “acting lieutenant” who has been formally charged with second degree sexual assault/use of force. According to a criminal complaint, on December 2nd, the victim in this case, a co-worker of Peden, was interviewed by police after his arrest.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 9:01:59 AM - SOURCE: WITI Fox Channel 6

On December 15, 14 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 14, 11 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 16, 3 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

VIDEO: Governor Scott Walker has approved a new program designed to transform the way first responders communicate with each other. FirstNet Responder Network Authority and AT&T is building a broadband network specifically dedicated for use by first responders. FirstNet will bring advanced technologies that will help first responders save lives and protect communities.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 3:24:23 AM - SOURCE: WQOW-TV ABC 18 Eau Claire

Lake Geneva firefighters evacuated a senior-citizen housing complex Sunday after fire broke out inside the property. No injuries were reported, and the fire was extinguished without any sign of significant damage at the Havenwood of Lake Geneva complex, 250 Havenwood Drive. The fire was reported at 3:19 p.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 1:47:50 AM - SOURCE: Lake Geneva News

No one was hurt in a fire that damaged the lower level of a multiple-story residence in central Kenosha Sunday night. Neighbors reported flames and thick smoke coming from the south side of the house at 5402 25th Ave., alerting firefighters at 7:05 p.m. Kenosha Fire Department Battalion Chief Wes Bernhardt said firefighters fought the blaze in multiple areas of the lower level, including the kitchen and living room area.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 1:46:48 AM - SOURCE: Kenosha News

An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a new route hurtled off an overpass Monday near Tacoma and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least three people, authorities said. Seventy-seven passengers, six crew members and one technician were aboard when the train derailed about 40 miles south of Seattle before 8 a.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

PHOTOS - An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a new route hurtled off an overpass Monday near Tacoma and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least six people authorities said. Seventy-eight passengers and five crew members were aboard when the train derailed about 40 miles south of Seattle before 8 a.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

There’s an understanding among firefighters that dirty gear is a measure of toughness. The char from past fires is a way to garner respect and serves as a badge of honor. But that badge, that dirty turnout gear, is now an ominous reminder of the perils of the job. And in an abrupt change of culture, the blackened gear is now considered an enemy.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The cause of death has been released for a San Diego firefighter who was killed while battling the massive Thomas Fire raging in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Cal Fire San Diego Unit Fire Apparatus Engineer Cory Iverson died from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation, an autopsy performed Friday found, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner Office.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KABC-TV Los Angeles

The Oklahoma City Fire Department has returned all of its rigs to full-time service after 13 months of cutbacks imposed to stave off a budget shortfall. The department saved $2.6 million between October 2016 and this November by reducing overtime from "callbacks," when staffing falls below minimums.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Oklahoman

The whole system of building regulation in the UK is “not fit for purpose”, a damning independent report in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire has found. Confusing rules and a lack of enforcement means construction companies are able to abuse the system, according to interim findings of the review chaired by Dame Judith Hackitt.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Independent

Kern County has released an independent report that details more than $12.75 million in savings that could be achieved by changing the way the Kern County Fire Department pays firefighters, buys vehicles, and provides service to small cities and county airports. But the Kern County Fire Fighters union on Friday called the report a cut-and-paste hit piece designed to rally public opinion against firefighters right before the county launches a contract assault on their pay and benefits.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Bakersfield.com

On December 16, 0 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 15, 1 residential fire fatality was reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 13, 10 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

On December 13, 9 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

A fire on Appleton's north side forced two people from their house Thursday night. Firefighters say they were called to the 600 block of W. Parkway Boulevard just after 6:30. When they arrived, crews could see smoke in the house. Firefighters quickly put out a fire on a living room chair. Other areas of the home were damaged by smoke and heat, and the house cannot be lived in.
- PUB DATE: 12/15/2017 7:04:18 AM - SOURCE: WTAQ 97.5-FM & 1360-AM

A Sussex family escaped safely after their house caught fire Thursday night. Firefighters responded to Woodland Creek Drive and Chestnut Hill at about 9:00 p.m. and found smoke and flames coming from the house. A family member told CBS 58 News that a mother and four children lived there, but all got out safely.
- PUB DATE: 12/15/2017 4:38:45 AM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee