An arbitrator has awarded raises of more than 2 percent for each of the next two years to Hawaii firefighters in a binding decision that may be the bellwether of ongoing contract negotiations with all of the state and county public worker unions this year. Hawaii Fire Fighters Association President Robert “Bobby” Lee said the decision earlier this week also continues with salary step movement salary increases every three years for fire fighters based on their employment anniversaries.
- PUB DATE: 4/21/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Star Advertiser

City officials are being forced to turn to some unlikely heroes to make sure the city’s fire and EMS services receive much needed new vehicles. Because of the city’s financial crisis, officials are making a deal with private citizens who can front the cost for new emergency vehicles. In an interesting twist, the city is also willing to put up city hall as collateral for the deal, as an assurance to the lenders that they will get paid back.
- PUB DATE: 4/21/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Progress-Index

The Town of Pine River Fire Department, in conjunction with the SAFER Fire District, are hosting a 70-hour Emergency First Responder Course at the Pine River Fire Station. The class allows students to complete a training course in emergency care and be licensed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 11:48:02 PM - SOURCE: Merrill Foto News

VIDEO: A La Crosse firefighter is being recognized for his bravery while saving the lives of multiple people earlier this month. While responding to a house fire on Ferry Street on April 7th, Firefighter Brian Green of Engine 1 rescued two people who were stuck on the second floor. After bringing one person down the ladder, Green climbed it again and removed the window frame to allow a second person to fit through before carrying her to safety.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 9:11:52 PM - SOURCE: WKBT-TV CBS 8 La Crosse

VIDEO: No one was injured after an overnight house fire in Outagamie County. It broke out around 1:30 at a home on Valley View Drive in the Town of Ellington. Officials say lightning hit a gas meter. "Gas meter hit by lightning. When we got on scene, we found a one story single family home with fire coming out of the roof already," said Ellington Fire Chief Jim Bentle.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 7:18:29 AM - SOURCE: WLUK TV Fox 11

It’s hard for property owners to lose their homes to fire, but Joe Alf and Jon Schultz have seen people endure the additional pain of losing beloved pets. Although the number of pets that die in fires isn’t an official statistic kept by the U.S. Fire Administration, industry websites and sources estimate 40,000 to 150,000 pets die in fires each year, many succumbing to smoke inhalation.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 4:35:39 AM - SOURCE: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram

VIDEO: A Milwaukee firefighter was hurt while battling a house fire yesterday. He spoke to CBS 58 for the first time. Lt. Tom McMenamin will need surgery on his wrist and elbow-but he told us he's grateful it wasn't worse. The lieutenant tells us this was a pretty routine call-a vacant apartment building caught fire.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 3:30:49 AM - SOURCE: Telemundo Milwaukee,WI

After approval by the Poynette-Dekorra-Lowville Fire Commission, the Poynette-Dekorra Fire Department will purchase breathing apparatus to replace five 1999 pieces. At its April 4 meeting, the commission unanimously approved the transfer of funds from the contingency/vehicle replacement fund for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) gear.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 2:44:38 AM - SOURCE: Poynette Press

VIDEO: Thousands of people were left without power after a strong storm passed through southeast Wisconsin early Thursday morning. Nearly 11,000 people were still without power as of 8:30 a.m. The storm brought down trees and power lines across the area. There are reports of damage from Waukesha, Milwaukee and Racine counties.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WISN-TV ABC 12 Milwaukee

"Chief charged with embezzlement." "Paramedic takes her life." "Firefighters face discipline." It doesn't take a headline like those or a medical degree to realize the job of protecting lives and property takes a toll on firefighters. Cumulative stress, traumatic events and the pressure to live up to mythical standards set by us and the public results in firefighters making horrific personal choices.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FireRescue1

Dallas Fire-Rescue is facing its own 911 emergency. It's losing people faster than it can replace them. The 1,800 member department is stretched thin and overworked. “When I meet with them, and I meet with our members pretty regularly, they're tired,” said Fire Chief David Coatney. “They look worn out.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFAA-TV ABC 8 Dallas - Fort Worth

It happened in a flash. A father desperate to save his child from the smoke and flames quickly filling his apartment, tossed his baby from the second floor of a burning apartment building.Fortunately, DeKalb County firefighter Robert Sutton, who was among the first firefighters to arrive at the Parks on Glenwood, caught the baby in one swift move.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WAGA-TV Atlanta MyFox 5 News

On April 19, 1995, Oklahoma City fell victim to the worst act of domestic terrorism the United States has ever experienced on its own soil — as did the lives of 168 men, women and children. Dr. Johnny Kirk, assistant professor of psychology at Northeastern State University, witnessed the horrors and damages of the Murrah Building bombing.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Enid News

A Las Vegas Fire & Rescue captain arrested in a child prostitution case engaged in sexual activities with a 15-year-old girl at his assigned fire station, according to a Metro Police arrest report made public on Wednesday. Richard Odell Loughry, 46, was arrested on Monday as he left a store with his wife, according to police.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Las Vegas Sun

Allentown's firefighters made a public plea to the City Council on Wednesday to invest in new firetrucks for the city, saying the current equipment shortage has reached a "crisis" level. Keith Pierce, the city fire department's safety representative, said that as of this week, all of the city's reserve fire equipment has been moved to the front line due to breakdowns with several pieces of the city's first responding equipment.
- PUB DATE: 4/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Allentown Morning Call

VIDEO: Twenty-thousand pounds of cheese is gone after a semi catches fire Tuesday. Police say that a semi's brakes caught fire while the driver was on the highway. The driver pulled off into a store parking lot to try to put it out himself, but the fire department had to take over. "It's a very difficult fire once the cheese gets going.
- PUB DATE: 4/19/2017 8:02:34 AM - SOURCE: WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV Green Bay

VIDEO: A Milwaukee firefighter testified Tuesday how he found the bodies of a mother and daughter after a house fire authorities say was set to cover the stabbing deaths. The woman's boyfriend, Patrick Fowler, is now on trial in their deaths. "He picks up a knife, or knives, and he stabs Ms. Ellenberger over 30 times while her daughter stands there and screams, 'Mommy, mommy,'" Milwaukee County prosecutor Michael Lonski said.
- PUB DATE: 4/19/2017 5:54:08 AM - SOURCE: WISN-TV ABC 12 Milwaukee

Fire Chief Larry Reilly will retire this June after four decades with the Norwalk Fire Department. “It’s been 42 years and I turned 65 in March so I think it’s a good time go,” Reilly said. “I’ve enjoyed the 42 years working with people in the department and working for the people in Norwalk but it’s time to move on.
- PUB DATE: 4/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Hour

The Texas Senate has endorsed allowing paramedics and other first-responders, including volunteer firefighters, to carry concealed handguns in restricted areas. The bill by Sen. Don Huffines of Dallas met little resistance in the Republican-controlled Senate on Tuesday. A similar measure is pending in the House.
- PUB DATE: 4/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFAA-TV ABC 8 Dallas - Fort Worth

Philadelphia firefighter Joyce Craig’s “personal alert” device was at least 12 -- maybe even 17 -- years old. Her breathing device included a “breathing hose” that also was 12 years old. Both pieces of equipment, vital to a firefighter inside a structure fire, failed Craig in the moments before fellow firefighters pulled her from an early morning blaze in December 2014.
- PUB DATE: 4/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCAU-TV NBC 10 Philadelphia