Two city departments are trying to shake up their staffs. Asheville police and fire officials said they are lacking diversity. Both are actively working to recruit more diverse applicants.
“We’ve not been able to keep up with our community,” Asheville Fire Battalion Chief Patrick Crudup said.
Interim Police Chief Robert White said there are a number of reasons. - PUB DATE: 11/15/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLOS-TV ABC 13 Asheville
On Wednesday, The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) and the American Heart Association unveiled a new hands-only CPR kiosk that has the ability to train and test travelers in bystander CPR in about five minutes.
The kiosk, located in the Central Terminal, includes a touch screen display with video instruction and tutorials, followed by an interactive practice session and test. - PUB DATE: 11/15/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle
Californians who lost their home insurance because of the threat of wildfires will be able to buy comprehensive policies next year through a state-mandated plan under an order issued Thursday by the state insurance commissioner.
Devastating wildfires have plagued the state in recent years, destroying thousands of homes. - PUB DATE: 11/15/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KNTV NBC 11 San Jose
At an age many Milwaukee Firefighters are retiring from the department Hernan Galarza just got sworn in as a Milwaukee Firefighter Thursday evening. At age 51, he is the oldest recruit to successfully make it through the program.
“I have always wanted to serve. I always wanted to do something for the community,” said Galarza. - PUB DATE: 11/15/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTMJ-TV NBC 4 Milwaukee
In 2017, Police Chief Michael Spellman said that it's not a matter of "if" an officer will come in contact with a citizen on the autism spectrum, but rather, a matter of "when." Indeed, one out of every 59 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, the Centers for Disease Control said in 2018. - PUB DATE: 11/15/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Groton Patch
Jeffery and Daynese Stowe of Roxborough will be the first African-American father and daughter to actively serve as firefighters at the same time in the history of the Philadelphia Fire Department.
Daynese was scheduled to graduate from the Philadelphia Fire Academy on Wednesday. The same day, Jeffery, who is the Deputy Chief Aide for the Philadelphia Fire Department, will celebrate his 30th anniversary of being a firefighter. - PUB DATE: 11/14/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Philadelphia Tribune
Watertown officials say it's the end to the long drawn out battle between the city and its fire union over minimum staffing.
City Manager Rick Finn says the rule that forced the fire department to sometimes work with fewer than 15 firefighters was rescinded last week.
Watertown has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in an unsuccessful attempt to get rid of a minimum staffing agreement between the city and its firefighters union. - PUB DATE: 11/14/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WWNY-TV CBS 7 Carthage
City Council is giving Winchester’s Human Resources Department an extra month to address concerns raised by career firefighters and paramedics over proposed changes to the city’s vacation and sick leave policies.
“This is one of those issues ... that could be a game changer for us,” Winchester Fire and Rescue Chief William Garrett told council at its meeting Tuesday night. - PUB DATE: 11/14/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Winchester Star - Metered Site
Tears welled in the eyes of Worcester Fire Chief Michael Lavoie Tuesday as he spoke about the approaching 20th anniversary of the blaze that claimed the lives of six firefighters.
“It’s still agonizing. It’s still emotional. We have to be here. We can’t forget,” Lavoie said. “We have to have these ceremonies. - PUB DATE: 11/14/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Republican - MassLive
“I said, ‘I’m not going to die today.’ I said, ‘Today is not my day,’” a young girl tells the camera just a few minutes into the Netflix documentary “Fire in Paradise.” She can’t be over 10 years old, yet the way she articulates her experience escaping a raging wildfire makes her seem older. What she says is raw and heartbreaking, and the grit she shows continues for the rest of the documentary’s approximately 40–minute run. - PUB DATE: 11/14/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Ithacan
A Worcester fire lieutenant died and several firefighters were injured early Wednesday in a fire in a multi-family home.
Worcester Fire Department Lt. Jason Menard, 39, of Worcester, died while battling the fire at 7 Stockholm St.
When Ladder 5 arrived at the burning building just before 1 a.m. there was heavy fire coming from the building, and firefighters were told that a baby was possibly trapped on the third floor. - PUB DATE: 11/13/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCVB-TV ABC 5 Boston
She's a familiar face with the Duluth Fire Department. And now, Marnie Grondahl is the first female chief-level officer in the department's history.
Dulth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj appointed Grondahl to be the next Deputy Chief of Life Safety and Administration.
She's served in the role of Interim Deputy Chief since May, and was the Fire Marshal for about eight years prior. - PUB DATE: 11/13/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WDIO-DT ABC 10 Duluth
With President Donald Trump holding a rally in two days in Bossier City, members of local police and fire departments questioned if they could attend if they’re off-duty. But they’ve received conflicting answers.
Employees are being told two different things from two different state offices, which is putting their supervisors in a sticky situation. - PUB DATE: 11/13/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: ArkLaTex Homepage
The Clearcreek Township Fire Department has added sensory bags to help firefighters and paramedics when they respond to a scene involving someone on the autism spectrum.
Firefighter and paramedic Eric Henry was the brainchild behind the department's new addition and did research into what items would help first responders to calm a child or adult with autism. - PUB DATE: 11/13/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WXIX-TV FOX 19 Cincinnati
VIDEO: It's a remote mountaintop site with million-dollar views and a priceless purpose. Designated by the Los Angeles County Fire Department as ''Bravo 69'' it's a huge swath of land high above Topanga Canyon with 360 views.
The helicopter pad is able to be used by LA County Fire thanks to an unusual ''licensing'' agreement the county made with a retired wealthy businessman who owns the site and was going to develop it. - PUB DATE: 11/13/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTTV FOX 11 Los Angeles
The Madison Fire Department characterized the city’s need for another ambulance as “urgent” Monday.
“We’ve asked for the last several budget cycles for an additional ambulance,” Chief Steve Davis told 27 News Monday evening.
In a post on the fire chief’s blog, the Madison Fire Department lays out why city alders should approve the purchase of a ninth ambulance. - PUB DATE: 11/12/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WKOW-TV ABC 27 Madison
In the heart of bustling Fort Lauderdale, first responders face a host of challenges. One of their biggest obstacles: high-rises.
Many new luxury buildings in the city have layered security, and multiple entrances and elevators. Getting access to a patient, or the source of a fire, can take precious minutes. - PUB DATE: 11/12/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WPLG-TV ABC 10 Miami
Gov. Andrew Cuomo OK’d legislation allowing Navy SEAL Shaun Donovan to join the city’s Fire Department as part of a package of bills he signed Monday commemorating the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day.
Donovan was originally rejected from the FDNY because he missed the application deadline by nearly seven months due to his deployment. - PUB DATE: 11/12/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Post
Seconds slipped away as firefighter Mike Abernethy eagerly waited to enter the intersection of Research Boulevard and Burnet Road near Fire Station No. 8 in North Austin.
Vehicles blazed by that Thursday afternoon as traffic began to build at the crossroad. Abernethy could only watch and wait in frustration as minutes piled up in their response time. - PUB DATE: 11/12/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Austin American-Statesman
Something so simple as a bright red sticky square decal stuck on a plastic bag and taped on the inside of a refrigerator door could save lives.
As high-tech emergency remedies ranging from ultra-sophisticated hospital equipment to wearable alarm systems proliferate, a basic yet tangible alert program has been launched by women at an Oil City church. - PUB DATE: 11/12/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Derrick News Herald
