VIDEO: Firefighters spent just more than an hour battling flames at a vacant building at 2612 W. State St. on Thursday evening. The two-alarm fire gutted what once was the State Theater (1915-1955) and eventually a well-known music club where several big names started their careers in the late 70s and early 80s.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WISN-TV ABC 12

At first, Jason Hamilton's death seemed like a tragic accident. The 12-year veteran Houston firefighter was eastbound on I-10 near Brookshire just after the morning rush hour on Jan.27 when suddenly his truck swerved across the median into oncoming traffic, striking another vehicle. At first, authorities thought it might have been a tire problem that sparked the crash that also killed Shelley McKay, 61.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Houston Chronicle

The union representing Atlantic City Fire Fighters says the state is resorting to "delay and intimidation" to avoid a date in state court that could block them from unilaterally imposing contract changes. The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 198 has challenged the state of New Jersey's authority under the recently adopted Atlantic City rescue and takeover law that gives the state vast powers, including the right to ignore or rewrite collective bargaining agreements.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philly.com

Almost three years after a Columbia Fire Department lieutenant was killed while on duty, the University of Missouri Board of Curators and the man’s widow and daughter have agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit. A hearing for approval of a settlement in the case is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday in front of circuit Judge Jodie Asel.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Columbia Daily Tribune

U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and U.S. Congressman Chris Collins (R-NY) announced the introduction of the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act with 76 bipartisan original sponsors. The bill would create a national cancer registry for firefighters diagnosed with this deadly disease. The creation of this registry would enable researchers to study the relationship between firefighters’ exposure to dangerous fumes and harmful toxins and the increased risk for several major cancers.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse.com

VIDEO - The Kansas City Fire Department has a catchy new way to attract potential firefighters to the field. The KCFD recruits every two years – and it’s that time again. They’re targeting two groups of people, and they’re hoping their new video catches on fire. Miss G doesn’t usually rap about heroes.
- PUB DATE: 2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KMBC-TV ABC 9 Kansas City

VIDEO: The Altoona City Council met to discuss the plans moving forward in hiring its first full-time fire chief including the wage for the position on Thursday. Originally, the starting salary for the position was between $48,000 and $60,000 a year, but now the median salary for the job will be $67,000 according to the city administrator.
- PUB DATE: 2/9/2017 8:03:11 PM - SOURCE: WEAU-TV 13 News

Western Lakes Fire District — Lake Country’s newest and one of its largest consolidated fire and emergency medical response departments — will begin operations March 2. However, Ottawa, Oconomowoc, Summit and Dousman — the four presumed "owners" of the new, consolidated department — are already reaping the benefits of the consolidation of the Dousman Fire District and Oconomowoc Fire Department, according to Ottawa Town Chairman Richard Arrowood.
- PUB DATE: 2/9/2017 1:06:29 PM - SOURCE: Lake Country News

On February 7, 8 residential fire fatalities were reported by the Nation's news media.

First responders helped rescue a man who was injured when he fell into a pit with a concrete floor on Madison's east side Wednesday night. The Madison Fire Department said crews responded to a report of a man in his 60s who fell into a 6-foot by 8-foot pit in the 2700 block of South Stoughton Road at 11:13 p.
- PUB DATE: 2/9/2017 9:07:13 AM - SOURCE: WISC-TV Channel 3000.com Madison

VIDEO: Officials on Thursday morning, February 9th were on the scene of a barn fire in Sheboygan County. The call came in around 3:11 a.m. According to authorities, the Sheboygan County Joint Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting flames and smoke visible on Smies Road, west of State Highway 32, in the Town of Holland.
- PUB DATE: 2/9/2017 6:42:43 AM - SOURCE: WITI Fox Channel 6

Wisconsin may soon be heading into the health insurance business. The state’s Group Insurance Board on Wednesday approved a plan that would alter the way the state provides health insurance for its employees, moving to a self-insured model where the state pays for medical bills directly instead of paying premiums to private health insurance companies.
- PUB DATE: 2/9/2017 4:11:59 AM - SOURCE: Chippewa Herald

A 46-year-old Homer man died this morning, apparently from a medical problem that happened as he drove his pickup truck on Illinois 49, hitting three parked cars. Champaign County sheriff’s Lt. Brian Mennenga said John Mike Cummins was taken to Carle Hospital following the accident, which happened about 12:45 a.
- PUB DATE: 2/9/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Champaign News-Gazette

Brian Schmitt is still facing questions about his long-term future as the head of the Town of Wilson’s fire department. But elected officials are considering giving him some wiggle room around a firefighting certification requirement he currently doesn’t meet. The town last year agreed to a set of bylaws for its new municipal fire department that would require its fire officers to have a certain certification.
- PUB DATE: 2/9/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Sheboygan Press

In the two and half years before a deadly warehouse fire killed 36 people, Oakland police made regular visits to the Ghost Ship artists’ collective. They investigated an illegal rave, a pistol-whipping incident, thefts, reports of child abuse, a stabbing, threats with guns, drug sales, illegal housing, storing stolen property, allegations of rape, even reports of people barricaded inside.
- PUB DATE: 2/9/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: East Bay Times

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia (Hon. Tanya S. Chutkan) has issued a ruling that will support federal, state and local governments’ efforts to support public health and safety through the use of voluntary consensus codes and standards. On February 2, the court granted a motion for summary judgment filed by a number of standard development organizations (SDOs), including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), ASTM International and ASHRAE.
- PUB DATE: 2/9/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: National Fire Protection Association

Building contractors who do unauthorized or shoddy work would face progressive discipline — ranging from a freeze on permits to license suspension or revocation — under a mayoral crackdown to prevent a repeat of the tragedy that killed a 42-year-old Chicago firefighter. Daniel Capuano plunged to his death in December 2015 when he stepped into an open elevator shaft while searching through a burning, two-story warehouse at 9213 S.
- PUB DATE: 2/9/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chicago Sun-Times

Gov. Scott Walker’s administration abruptly backed off Wednesday on plans to roll back a requirement for fire sprinklers, but the state might not adopt other safety standards that firefighters say would save lives. In recent weeks, Walker's Department of Safety and Professional Services has quietly advanced plans to end the requirement that fire sprinklers be installed in apartment buildings with three to 20 units.
- PUB DATE: 2/8/2017 8:27:00 AM - SOURCE: Fond du Lac Reporter

VIDEO: A fire is under control after flames were spotted shooting out of an attic at a Wausau home, according to the Wausau Fire Department. It happened around 5:30 a.m. on the 1300 block of N. 4th Street. Residents were home at the time, but everyone escaped safely, according to officials. Firefighters had the blaze under control in a half hour, but remain on scene looking for hot spots, officials said.
- PUB DATE: 2/8/2017 5:57:16 AM - SOURCE: WAOW-TV ABC 9-Wausau

The common council on Tuesday night unanimously approved the creation of a fire district with three nearby municipalities, which city officials say will save money in the long run and provide round-the-clock EMS service. The Summit Village Board approved the agreement on Feb. 2, and the village of Dousman and the town of Ottawa must still approve it before it is made official.
- PUB DATE: 2/8/2017 2:40:52 AM - SOURCE: Lake Country News