If you have an emergency call 911!

National Fire News

Rhode Island fire district asked to remove American flags from trucks

An American flag on the back of a fire truck and decals on the truck windows is leading to a new dispute at the Central Coventry Fire District. The firefighters union said they're being asked to take them off. "The members are very upset," Firefighters Union President David Gorman told NBC 10 News. "I have a couple members, armed service retired, retired from the guard.
- PUB DATE: 5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WJAR-TV NBC 10 Providence

Woman Files Discrimination Lawsuit Against 17 Virginia Fire Department Employees

A former fire investigator who worked for the Fairfax County Fire Department for 20 years has filed a lawsuit against 17 of her ex-colleagues, accusing them of bullying, sexual harassment and conspiring to get her to quit. Patricia Tomasello said the harassment and discrimination started when she joined the department in 1996.
- PUB DATE: 5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: nbc washington

Louisiana governor signs first-of-its-kind 'Blue Lives Matter' bill

Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill expanding the definition of a hate crime in order to increase protections for first responders. Louisiana is the first state with so-called "Blue Lives Matter" legislation on the books. "Coming from a family of law enforcement officers, I have great respect for the work that they do and the risks they take to ensure our safety," said Gov.
- PUB DATE: 5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WVUE-TV Fox 8

Firefighters work together to replace New Hampshire veteran's flag

VIDEO - An American flag is flying once again in the yard of a 91-year-old World War II veteran in Nashua. Richard Chasse's flag and flag pole were stolen weeks ago, but members of the Nashua Fire Department thought he should have a new one, especially with Memorial Day coming. The World War II veteran said his flag and flag pole were stolen about six weeks ago.
- PUB DATE: 5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WMUR-TV ABC 9 Manchester

Meet the First Female Chief Fire Officer in Miami

She's in charge of five fire stations in the north end of Miami and also oversees the Miami Fire-Rescue's dive team and technical rescue team. But Melissa Llera is even more than that at Miami Fire-Rescue, she's the department's first female chief fire officer. "I spent time as a fire fighter and as a lieutenant and as a captain before getting to the rank of chief," Chief Fire Officer Llera said.
- PUB DATE: 5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: nbc miami

Portland's female firefighters knock down stereotypes

VIDEO - It’s a warm afternoon in late May. The skies are partly cloudy over Portland Fire & Rescue’s Northeast Portland training center, but closer to the ground new recruits are feeling 100 percent humidity. “Grab hold of it!” Yells one firefighter-in-training as he pounces atop a flailing fire hose.
- PUB DATE: 5/26/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KGW-TV Northwest News Channel 8

Firefighters' Drone Use Grows, But Not Without Controversy

As firefighters braved the smoke and flames from the ground and rooftops, a small object soared above their heads Wednesday morning, trying to assist their efforts as a five-alarm fire ripped through a Santa Clara, California, strip mall. The drone was sent up by the Santa Clara Fire Department volunteers to try to pinpoint how to best fight the blaze, which affected about a dozen small shops and restaurants in the Koreatown mall.
- PUB DATE: 5/26/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: nbc washington

Former Illinois fire district bookkeeper gets 33 months for embezzling $444,000

The former bookkeeper for the Pinckneyville Rural Fire Protection District has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for defrauding the district of over $444,000, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Tammy L. Kellerman, 53, of Pinckneyville, used district checks to pay her credit card bills and other expenses from 2004-2013, prosecutors said, covering up the theft by making false entries.
- PUB DATE: 5/26/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: st. louis post-dispatch

U.S. sends 200 firefighters to Canada to help fight massive wildfire

The National Interagency Fire Center has mobilized over 200 firefighters to help fight a massive wildfire burning in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Five of the crews flew out of Boise this morning and another five flew out of Missoula, Montana. NIFC spokesperson Jessica Gardetto says Canadian crews have helped fight U.
- PUB DATE: 5/26/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTVB-TV NBC 7

Florida fire district honors late captain by naming training tower after him

Capt. Paul Phillips has been long gone, but Lt. Jason Brod can still hear his voice whenever he visits the training grounds next to Bonita Springs Fire Station 4. "Every time I've been out here since he left us — come out here to train, come out here to do stuff — I hear that voice echoing off these walls," said Brod, standing in front of the station's redbrick training tower, surrounded by Phillips' friends, family and former colleagues.
- PUB DATE: 5/26/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: naples daily news

New report cites missteps that led to deaths of 2 Kansas City firefighters

Seven months after two firefighters died fighting a fire on Independence Boulevard, the Kansas City Fire Department produced a report on the deaths and a set of recommendations to improve firefighter safety. Kansas City firefighters John Mesh and Larry Leggio died when a brick wall collapsed and fell on them during the Oct.
- PUB DATE: 5/25/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: kansas city star

NC fire chief says he can’t afford to help neighboring community anymore

When a big fire occurs in Garner, the Raleigh Fire Department sends three firefighters to help. That move was part of a verbal agreement created between both fire departments’ former chiefs years ago, that the current Raleigh fire chief says he will put an end to. It’s move that could cost Garner taxpayers either $500,000, or a lower level of service.
- PUB DATE: 5/25/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: the news & observer

New report cites missteps that led to deaths of two Kansas City firefighters

Seven months after two firefighters died fighting a fire on Independence Boulevard, the Kansas City Fire Department produced a report on the deaths and a set of recommendations to improve firefighter safety. Kansas City firefighters John Mesh and Larry Leggio died when a brick wall collapsed and fell on them during the Oct.
- PUB DATE: 5/25/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: kansas city star

Florida fire chief out after signing separation agreement

The head of the Apopka Fire Department has left his post after ratifying a separation agreement he previously said the city was pressuring him to sign. Former chief fire administrator Lee Bronson will get 20 weeks of severance pay and compensation for his accumulated leave under the agreement. "This is his second retirement from the city, and we certainly wish him well," Apopka spokesman Robert Sargent said Tuesday.
- PUB DATE: 5/25/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: orlando sentinel

North Carolina fire chief says he can’t afford to help neighboring community anymore

When a big fire occurs in Garner, the Raleigh Fire Department sends three firefighters to help. That move was part of a verbal agreement created between both fire departments’ former chiefs years ago, that the current Raleigh fire chief says he will put an end to. It’s move that could cost Garner taxpayers either $500,000, or a lower level of service.
- PUB DATE: 5/25/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: the news & observer

Arizona 4-year-old aids in her own rescue

VIDEO - A young Tempe girl impressed firefighters recently, by remaining calm and aiding in her own rescue. Malaysia Iwebema, a 4-year-old, found herself locked inside a bathroom with her 3-year-old cousin, RJ. "It got jammed," she said of the lock. "I got a hammer and tried to bang it, but it didn't work," she recalled, adding, "I wasn't that calm.
- PUB DATE: 5/25/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix

Florida firefighter resigns during investigation into X-rated selfie

PHOTO - Clay County Fire Chief Lorin Mock said Lt. Anthony Myrick was on administrative leave while the Department of Public Safety investigated. Hours after Action News Jax broke news of the photo and investigation, Myrick resigned. Mock confirmed the picture was taken in the bathroom inside Station 20 in Green Cove Springs.
- PUB DATE: 5/25/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTEV-TV 47

San Diego firefighter pensions get boost from extended 'DROP' time

Eleven firefighters received pension payments exceeding $500,000 last year, and all of them did so by taking part in a little-known loophole in one of San Diego’s most controversial employee benefit programs. The Deferred Retirement Option Plan, or DROP, allows city employees to collect a paycheck and a pension at the same time, but for a fixed period.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: san diego union-tribune.

Battalion chiefs sue Hawaii fire chief, county

Two firefighters who claim they were stripped of their badges by Fire Chief Darren Rosario for publicly criticizing him are suing the chief and the county. Earlier this month, attorney Ted Hong filed a lawsuit in Hilo Circuit Court on behalf of West Hawaii Battalion Chief Ty Medeiros and a separate amended complaint on behalf of retired West Hawaii Battalion Chief Steve Loyola.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: west hawaii today

NYPD and FDNY brawl during charity football game ironically nicknamed ‘Fun City Bowl’

VIDEO - The NYPD and FDNY have a long history of working together as one to save lives in New York City. But put them together on a field of play and all hell usually breaks loose. It happened again on Sunday, when the city's Bravest and Finest squared off in what was supposed to be a charity football game at MCU Park on Coney Island.
- PUB DATE: 5/24/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: new york daily news

Pages

How can you help?

We are volunteer organizations and are funded primarily through generous donations from the community.  We also need help at our fundraising events.

We welcome new firefighters and EMT's.  We can provide you with training through the Wisconsin Technical College System.

To find out more about joining or other ways to help contact us or come to a meeting!