VIDEO: For many families with children in the hospital, the holidays can seem out of reach during a time of uncertainty, as many of them are spending time away from their homes and loved ones. On Wednesday, a special visitor came into town to brighten everyone's spirits. Santa came to the American Family Children's hospital in Madison to see the patients and spread holiday cheer, a tradition that's been at this hospital for the last 58 years.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2018 5:28:51 PM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison

Seven people in a multi-family home had to be evacuated Wednesday morning after a dropped incense stick resulted in a fire, which caused an estimated $60,000 of damage, according to the Racine Fire Department. Firefighters were dispatched at 10:05 a.m. to the residence in the 3200 block of 17th Street after a resident called 911 after attempting to extinguish a fire that had spread to the nearby bedding.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2018 4:50:30 PM - SOURCE: Racine Journal Times

The Barron-Maple Grove Fire Department’s “Keep the Wreath Green” program has started again. Fire Chief Mike Romsos said a wreath illuminated with green bulbs is now on display at Barron City Hall through New Year’s Day. “This is done to help raise fire awareness for area residents. For every fire that occurs in the Barron Maple Grove Fire Department’s Area, a green bulb will be replaced with a red bulb.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2018 1:06:20 PM - SOURCE: Barron News Shield

Due to a recent historical discovery, the Green Bay Metro Fire Department's emblem is changing. The department's former emblem showed the "established" year of 1891. Recent historical research has determined community members established the earliest form of the Green Bay Fire Department in 1841, fire officials say.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2018 11:30:43 AM - SOURCE: WLUK TV Fox 11

VIDEO: Pewaukee Firefighters are trained for all types of on-ice rescues, but today they're practicing with a new piece of life-saving equipment. This new device is called the "rapid deployment craft" and with openings on both of its sides, the device allows rescuers to grab victims out of the water while staying in the boat.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2018 9:50:06 AM - SOURCE: Today's TMJ4

How much time does your family have to escape a fire? The I-Team found out the clock is not on your side if you live in a newly constructed home. The building material in modern homes burns a lot faster. “On average, with new construction, they are failing about 35 to 60 percent faster than conventional stick lumber that was used in the past,” said Lt.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2018 8:25:18 AM - SOURCE: Today's TMJ4

Marshfield's Common Council has approved the addition of three 'firefighter/paramedic' positions to the city's emergency response staff, and Fire Chief Scott Owen says they'll be a big asset to a department that's typically been under-staffed. Owen explained that, "Right now our shifts are comprised of eleven individuals, and our minimum manning is either eight or nine.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2018 2:28:50 AM - SOURCE: WRIG-AM Fox Sports 1390

VIDEO: Five people and two animals are safe after being rescued from the basement of their Ashwaubenon home after a passerby noticed the structure was on fire. That passerby, who just so happens to be the Chaplain for the Green Bay Fire Department, noticed smoke pouring from the garage of the home, and called authorities at around 8:45 a.
- PUB DATE: 12/11/2018 11:15:56 AM - SOURCE: WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV Green Bay

VIDEO: A restaurant in Cambridge is at a total loss after a structure fire destroyed it overnight. Firefighters said they got to the scene shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday and stayed until about 5 a.m. Monday, battling the fire. The owner declined an interview on camera, but Rebecka Wake, the woman who called 9-1-1 after driving by and seeing the flames, said it was a scary sight to witness.
- PUB DATE: 12/11/2018 7:56:20 AM - SOURCE: WMSN-TV Fox 47 Madison

PHOTO: Firefighters were called to a home near Herman Street and Howard Avenue on Milwaukee’s south side. The call came in around 12 a.m. Tuesday morning, Dec. 11. According to police, no one was injured. The fire was accidental in nature and does not appear to be suspicious. Red Cross also responded to the fire to help those displaced.
- PUB DATE: 12/11/2018 3:39:49 AM - SOURCE: WITI Fox Channel 6

A Central Wisconsin volunteer firefighter accused of sexual assault charges against a child had his bond modified in Marathon County court on Monday. Nicholas Koebach of Colby is now free on $10,000 cash bond and $90,000 signature bond and will be staying with his mother in Oconto County. A judge set strict orders for Koebach as part of the deal including absolute sobriety from alcohol and drugs.
- PUB DATE: 12/10/2018 9:36:27 AM - SOURCE: WRIG-AM Fox Sports 1390

Two juveniles are in custody after police say a fire was intentionally set at the Almena U.S. Post Office. The Turtle Lake police department says Almena firefighters responded to the scene around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night. When they arrived, there was heavy smoke coming from the roof of the building on all sides.
- PUB DATE: 12/10/2018 6:47:20 AM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau

A local volunteer fire company may be forced to pay a potentially detrimental $80,000 bill after alleged mistakes outside the control of the company prevented an insurance company from covering the cost of rabies shots for six emergency responders. In late June or early July (the exact date has not been shared with The Journal Times), the Wind Lake Volunteer Fire Company reported that six emergency medical technicians responded to reports of a crashed vehicle near the intersection of Highway K and North Beaumont Avenue in the Town of Norway.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2018 1:23:47 PM - SOURCE: Racine Journal Times

PHOTO: One firefighter was injured after a fire broke out inside a home near Whitnall and Pine Avenue on Milwaukee’s south side early Sunday, Dec. 9. According to fire officials, a chimney fire extended into the surrounding walls of the home. The family was able to make it out before crews arrived. One firefighter suffered a cut and was transported to the hospital, where the firefighter was treated and released.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2018 8:38:49 AM - SOURCE: WITI Fox Channel 6

For more than one month, the community has been fundraising and honoring the three girl scouts and a mom that died after a tragic hit and run. But now the Chippewa valley is thanking a group often forgotten during tragedy, the first responders. It’s a moment to thank those that responded on November 3, to a call of a hit and run in Lake Halle.
- PUB DATE: 12/8/2018 9:42:52 PM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau

VIDEO: Firefighters responded on Friday morning, Dec. 7 to the scene of a 4-alarm house fire on Shannon Road in the Town of Erin. The initial call came in around 5:30 a.m. Several fire departments were dispatched to the scene to help truck in water — as there are no fire hydrants in the area. “Right now, I’m running water operations.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2018 8:19:35 AM - SOURCE: WITI Fox Channel 6

A Grafton condominium owner was displaced after the fire chief said hoarding made it much more difficult to put out flames that broke out Thursday night. Chief William Rice said his crews responded to a possible garage fire around 6 p.m, and when they arrived at the four-family unit, the fire had spread to the alley, and then to a car parked out front.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2018 7:46:06 AM - SOURCE: WISN-TV ABC 12 Milwaukee

A dump truck is a total loss after it caught fire Friday morning on the eastbound shoulder of Highway 29 at Purple Martin Lane in the Village of Marathon. Marathon fire chief Mike Tylinski tells NewsChannel 7 the truck was engulfed with flames when his team arrived just after 8 a.m. Tylinski says the cause is undetermined but a mechanical issue is likely to blame.
- PUB DATE: 12/7/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau

The Fitchburg Fire Department says they will return to the scene of a structure fire Friday morning to determine the cause. It says the fire does not seem suspicious at this time. Firefighters say the three people were evacuated from the building and worked with the Red Cross to find shelter for the night.
- PUB DATE: 12/6/2018 11:39:56 PM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison

The Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department reminds people to stay aware of gas smells after a homeowner in Ellison Bay nearly lost her home to a gas explosion. A person passing by the area of Mink River Road reported a strong smell of gas before 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 29. Firefighters responded to the scene located near the site of a deadly explosion that happened more than a decade ago.
- PUB DATE: 12/6/2018 9:05:09 PM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau