A fundraiser has been created to help a man who was working as a Milwaukee firefighter when he suffered a stroke.
Derek Geppert suffered a stroke back in 2016.
"They got him back from the testing and the doctor was like 'I’m sorry, your husband’s having a stroke and there’s really nothing we can do about it,'" said Melissa Geppert, Derek's wife. - PUB DATE: 1/21/2020 8:43:20 PM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee
The Wisconsin State Senate passed a bill Tuesday that removes a barrier for professional police officers and firefighters to file a Worker’s Compensation claim when they get treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The bill awaits a hearing in the Assembly.
As the law is currently written, first responders must prove their trauma is at a higher level than the standard for their profession. - PUB DATE: 1/21/2020 5:41:16 PM - SOURCE: WISC-TV Channel 3000.com Madison
Wisconsin Republicans signed off Tuesday on a bill that would impose new restrictions on firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals in the hopes of reducing soil and water contamination, despite Democrats’ complaints that the proposal would accomplish next to nothing.
The Senate approved the Republican-authored measure with a voice vote Tuesday afternoon. - PUB DATE: 1/21/2020 3:37:09 PM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay
Looking to address concerns about the environment, the Kenosha Fire Department stopped using a firefighting foam that contains chemicals that could contaminate groundwater.
The fire department made the decision last fall to ditch a firefighting foam typically used in fighting fuel or oil fires. The foam contains chemical compounds called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, that contain fluorine, known as “forever chemicals” that could contaminate drinking water and may pose a cancer risk. - PUB DATE: 1/21/2020 1:00:32 PM - SOURCE: Kenosha News
A spot of red will be added to the office of Green Bay Metro Fire Department Chief David Litton's office.
Chief Litton had placed a wager with the fire chief of the San Francisco Fire Department on the Packers and 49ers game over the weekend.
Depending who lost, the losing fire chief would make a personal donation of $100 to the burn camp or burn prevention charity of the winner's choice. - PUB DATE: 1/21/2020 10:35:39 AM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay
A fire caused an estimated $60,000 in damages to a Watertown home early Saturday.
Watertown Fire Department received a call at 12:57 a.m. for an active fire with smoke and flames at 923 Labaree St., according to fire officials. The first arriving unit reported the fire was coming from the second story and the on-scene crews were able to knock down the fire from the exterior and get inside to put the fire out. - PUB DATE: 1/21/2020 6:39:35 AM - SOURCE: Watertown Daily Times
This year, seven first responders have died in roadside crashes across the country, according to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute.
"What's really scary is standing two to three feet out at a highway and having a car go by you at 60 to 80 mph," Amherst Assistant Fire Chief Brian Swan said.
Swan tells FOX 11 he knows the feeling all too well, along with the neighboring fire department in Waupaca. - PUB DATE: 1/21/2020 2:28:43 AM - SOURCE: WNFL SPORT REDIO
Four fire departments in Rock County announced Monday a partnership that will help with decreasing emergency response times.
Thanks to automatic vehicle locator technology, fire departments from Janesville, Milton, the city of Beloit and the town of Beloit, will now support each other’s communities regardless of municipal boundaries. - PUB DATE: 1/20/2020 4:36:58 PM - SOURCE: WMSN-TV Fox 47 Madison
Several people were forced out of a duplex after a fire broke early Sunday morning. The Brillion Fire Department said three people needed to be treated for smoke inhalation after they arrived at the duplex on North Glenview Avenue around 3:30 a.m.
The three people from the main area where the fire was were the ones treated then released. - PUB DATE: 1/19/2020 9:45:15 AM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay
A firefighter was injured and a residence is considered a total loss after a residential fie in the Town of Beloit early Saturday morning. A residential fire with smoke and flames showing at Rockvale Mobile Home Park, at 6219 S. Hwy 51, Lot 212, was reported at 3:57 a.m., according to the Town of Beloit Fire Department. - PUB DATE: 1/18/2020 7:43:38 AM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison
The Hotel Washington, which sat at the intersection of West Washington Avenue and Regent Street, was destroyed by fire on Feb. 18, 1996, taking with it several businesses that were significant gathering spots for Madison's gay and lesbian community. Bars and restaurants housed in the building included Club de Wash, the New Bar, Rod's Club, the Barber's Closet, MicroBar and the Cafe Palms and Espresso Bar. - PUB DATE: 1/16/2020 3:42:39 PM - SOURCE: Madison.com
The Green Bay Metro Fire Department and the San Francisco Fire Department have partnered to remind communities of the importance of practicing fire safety along with some friendly competition.
On the Tuesday following Sunday’s game, the fire chief will install a smoke alarm with the winning team’s emblem on it. - PUB DATE: 1/16/2020 11:40:02 AM - SOURCE: WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV Green Bay
Kenosha Fire crews are investigating a fire that displaced a Kenosha family this week.
The flames broke out around 9 PM Monday at a four unit home on 53rd Street and 25th Avenue.
The blaze was contained to a third floor bedroom and began accidentally.
Guy Santelli with the Kenosha Fire Prevention and Safety Bureau told WLIP’s Wake Up Kenosha that a possibility frayed extension cord that was left under a mattress may be the culprit. - PUB DATE: 1/16/2020 5:40:31 AM - SOURCE: WLIP-AM 1050
Crash scenes are becoming more dangerous for emergency responders.
Seven of them have been killed in the U.S. in just the first two weeks of the year.
Fond du Lac Fire Chief Peter O’Leary says they now send an extra truck to act as a barricade for paramedics and firefighters. He says they used to try to keep as many lanes open as possible, but now they’re more conscious about safety. - PUB DATE: 1/15/2020 9:41:50 PM - SOURCE: WHBY-AM 1150 News Talk
More than 100 firefighters are pushing state legislators to offer them and law enforcement more help when it comes to mental health treatment.
A bill in the State Senate would make it easier for firefighters and law enforcement officers to receive workers compensation to treat PTSD.
"Here in Wisconsin, just in the last three years, we’ve had 13 actively serving police officers committed suicide. - PUB DATE: 1/15/2020 8:48:02 PM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau
Brian Snyder said he's always been humbled to serve the community, whether it meant fighting fires at home or safeguarding freedoms abroad.
"Being able to serve the public in some way, shape or form makes it worth doing," Snyder said. "To me, it's always been the nicest part of this. You're here to help when people really, truly need it. - PUB DATE: 1/15/2020 6:30:27 PM - SOURCE: Beloit Daily News - Metered Site
Firefighters on Wednesday morning, Jan. 15 were called out to the scene of a house fire near Elizabeth and Oak in Oconomowoc. The call came in around 1:20 a.m.
Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke coming from the front and back of the home. The fire was discovered in the basement -- and extended to the first floor. - PUB DATE: 1/15/2020 4:55:33 AM - SOURCE: WITI Fox Channel 6
A fire at a Green Bay paper converting facility caused an estimated quarter-of-a-million dollars in damage Tuesday night.
At about 10 p.m., Green Bay Metro Firefighters were called to a fire at Sofidel America, 2200 Larsen Road.
"Upon arrival crews found a large portion of the approximately 1,000,000 square foot warehouse heavily charged with smoke," reads a statement from Battalion Chief Tony Piontek. - PUB DATE: 1/15/2020 3:29:12 AM - SOURCE: WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay
One person died after a fire broke out at a Neillsville house.
Neillsville Fire Department says a neighbor called at 2:59 a.m. and the house was fully engulfed. The fire was put out in 20 minutes and nothing suspicious has been found at this point.
A body was located and officials are working to remove it. - PUB DATE: 1/14/2020 8:47:17 AM - SOURCE: WEAU-TV 13 News
Members of the Oshkosh Fire Department might wear bulletproof vests to their calls.
City Manager Mark Rohloff says the unfortunate reality is that firefighters and paramedics are regularly entering dangerous situations. He says around the same time Appleton firefighter Mitch Lundgaard was shot and killed on a medical call, the city was already buying 10 bulletproof vests for their ambulances. - PUB DATE: 1/14/2020 3:51:54 AM - SOURCE: WHBY-AM 1150 News Talk
