Firefighters are dying on the job from heart attacks more than any other risk they face, but researchers and firefighting professionals say increased focus on physical fitness with annual medical and fitness testing could increase their resiliency. Heart disease and other cardiac issues have long been recognized as significant health risks for firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 7/12/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KVII-TV ABC/CW+ 7 Amarillo

Firefighters regularly risk their lives in dangerous situations, but most deaths on duty are not directly caused by fire or smoke inhalation. Instead, approximately 40% of on-duty fatalities come from sudden cardiac death. Now, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and their colleagues have used a form of AI known as machine learning to accurately identify abnormal cardiac rhythms in firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 7/11/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NIST

A fire at a Paramount commercial building burned for four hours early Monday, but firefighters prevented flames from spreading to nearby businesses. The fire was reported around 12:30 a.m. in a 40,000-square-foot building in the 7500 block of East Rosecrans Avenue. Firefighters took up positions outside the burning building as flames shot through the roof and a large cloud of black smoke formed over the southern Los Angeles County community.
- PUB DATE: 7/11/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KNBC-TV NBC 4 Los Angeles

VIDEOS/PHOTOS: This summer alone, the Knoxville Fire Department said it had not one, not two, but three cars crash into stopped fire trucks responding to emergency calls, including some on Interstate 40. KFD is asking drivers to follow the law and move over into the other lane if they see flashing lights or parked emergency vehicles on the road.
- PUB DATE: 7/11/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WBIR-TV NBC 10 Knoxville

As of 9 p.m. Monday, 14 Vermont rivers had reached flooding stage, according to the National Weather Service’s hydrologic tracker. That includes three with major flooding: Otter Creek at Rutland, Williams River near Rockingham and Winooski River at Montpelier. Three rivers had reached moderate flooding: Winooski River at Waterbury, Lamoille River at Johnson and Dog River at Northfield Falls.
- PUB DATE: 7/11/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: VT Digger

PHOTOS: Multiple fire crews responded to a blaze in Putnam County early Sunday morning that caused extensive damage to an apartment complex, displacing residents. Emergency dispatchers reported the fire began shortly after 3 a.m. in the Devonshire apartment complex. Teays Valley Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Cody Smoot spoke with Eyewitness News on scene and reported residents were evacuated as firefighters worked to contain the flames.
- PUB DATE: 7/10/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCHS-TV ABC 8 Charleston

VIDEO: Gone, but not forgotten. Heroes of the Chicago Fire Department were killed in a massive fire on Milwaukee Avenue in February 1985. On Sunday, their community gave back, remembering their sacrifice. Captain Daniel Nockels and Firefighters Michael Forchione and Michael Talley were honored with a renovated mural at a park at Diversey, Kimball, and Milwaukee avenues, just down the street from where the deadly fire broke out.
- PUB DATE: 7/10/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLS-TV ABC 7 Chicago

VIDEO: The inside of Houston Fire Station 56 is hot. “We walked in and we were literally sweating,” said Sandy Ditta. Sandy Ditta with Operation HFD Cookie Drop recently noticed just how hot it is after delivering cookies to the firefighters. She has been baking cookies for them for years to help boost their spirits.
- PUB DATE: 7/10/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPRC-TV NBC 2 Houston

Oklahoma Human Services is set to pioneer an unprecedented program that will revolutionize emergency response protocols by introducing an Animal Contingency Plan to all senior care and low-income housing properties. This groundbreaking initiative aims to prioritize the safety of first responders while simultaneously reducing the number of animals being sent to pet shelters.
- PUB DATE: 7/10/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Norman Transcript - Metered Site

VIDEO: As the summer heat continues, the Fayetteville Fire Department says they're adding new medications to their emergency responder toolkits to help with heat-related health issues. The medications include albuterol, oral glucose, Benadryl and Tylenol. The meds treat conditions exacerbated by the heat including breathing issues, diabetic emergencies, allergic reactions, high fevers and other related illnesses.
- PUB DATE: 7/10/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTVD-TV ABC 11 Durham

Cellphone video captured the heart-pounding moments a teenager jumped into action to help save an Upland family whose home caught fire on the Fourth of July. Caleb Delasantos, 19, was watching fireworks with his girlfriend around 10 p.m. when he saw flames shooting up from the residence. He darted to the scene and helped the panicked and disoriented residents before firefighters arrived.
- PUB DATE: 7/7/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KNBC-TV NBC 4 Los Angeles

VIDEO: Investigators are searching for answers after two firefighters were killed and five more were injured while battling a raging blaze aboard a cargo ship docked in Newark, New Jersey. It was the first time since 2007 that a Newark firefighter was killed on the job, according to city officials. The fire was still smoldering as of Friday morning, some 36 hours after it broke out on the massive vessel.
- PUB DATE: 7/7/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: ABC News

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) after a mobile methamphetamine lab was discovered at the I-95 Welcome Center, Thursday afternoon. The incident prompted the activation of a hazmat team, resulting in the closure of traffic to the welcome center and the evacuation of its premises.
- PUB DATE: 7/7/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSVN-TV FOX 7 Miami

Yesterday marked the 79th anniversary of the deadliest fire in Connecticut history. On July 6, 1944, the big top of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Baily Circus ignited during a show in Hartford, killing more than 160 people. It's believed that a cigarette sparked the fire and spread quickly because the tent was completely coated in paraffin wax treated with gasoline.
- PUB DATE: 7/7/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: News 12 Connecticut

There is no remedy to take away the pain of losing a loved one, but a new South Carolina law will help the families of first responders who make the ultimate sacrifice for their communities. It applies to first responders killed in the line of duty, including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, and coroners.
- PUB DATE: 7/7/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WIS-TV NBC/CW 10 Columbia

Investigators are trying to figure out what caused an explosion that rocked part of a Queens neighborhood on Wednesday. The sounds of screams could be heard between loud pops from a fiery DOT truck parked on the side of the road at Vernon Boulevard and 47th Avenue. People were seen sprinting from the busy Long Island City blocks as emergency crews simultaneously worked to evacuate those nearby and put out the truck.
- PUB DATE: 7/6/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WNBC-TV NBC 4 New York

VIDEO: It's a real challenge for some football players at North Carolina Central University who consider themselves in great shape. They got to train like firefighters for the day including running and climbing ladders. "Hey, I'm tired! I'm tired but look, it's a mindset. Mind over matter! Everything in life that you do, mind over matter," said Twan Flip Jr.
- PUB DATE: 7/6/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTVD-TV ABC 11 Durham

VIDEO: Just hours after three people were shot Wednesday morning in South Bend, police revealed paramedics and investigators had a tough time getting close to the victims because of the massive crowd of people. Supporters of a new state law that requires giving officers enough space at crime scenes, which went into effect just days ago, say cases like this are a major reason why a law like this was needed.
- PUB DATE: 7/6/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSBT-TV CBS/FOX 22 South Bend

VIDEO: Firefighter Cory Asimus regularly gears up to go out on calls. He estimated his air pack weighs between 20-30 pounds. But he hardly feels it on his back these days. Lately, he’s taken to wearing a 100-pound rucksack. Then he goes for a run. “Yeah, neighbors have been asking tons of questions like, what kind of training goes into being a firefighter?” said Asimus.
- PUB DATE: 7/6/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Spectrum News 1 - Metered Site

First responders in Whittier rushed to a fire at the city’s fuel dock just before noon on Tuesday. A call to the area’s dispatch confirmed that multiple crews were called to the scene, with fire and EMT teams from Whittier, Girdwood and surrounding towns. The Whittier Fire Department and the Coast Guard were also called to respond.
- PUB DATE: 7/5/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTUU-TV NBC 2 Anchorage