Firefighters from 15 departments throughout west-central Wisconsin agreed on the toughest part of their upcoming state certification test: The ladder challenge was not going to be easy. At a new training facility on the west campus of Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, firefighters set a tall ladder reaching three stories up, then climbed it while carrying another ladder on their backs. - PUB DATE: 10/16/2017 2:19:33 AM - SOURCE: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
VIDEO: If you can't find the Buringa family at their auto shop, you can find them out helping the community as volunteer firefighters. "It's a lot of fun, but can be challenging," Matt Buringa said. Matt and his older brother, Marty Buringa, followed in their father's footsteps by joining the fire department. - PUB DATE: 10/16/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KJCT-TV ABC 8
The Black River Falls Fire Department hosted several activities in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week to educate students and the public about fire safety. The department visited Black River Child Care to meet with pre-school and 4-K students Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and then went to Teddy Bear Family Child Care pre-school afterwards at 11:15 a. - PUB DATE: 10/13/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Jackson County Chronicle
VIDEO: For the first time in a decade the Milwaukee Fire Department is recruiting applicants for firefighter positions, despite cuts outlined in the mayor's budget. Roosevelt Walker is one of many applying to be a Milwaukee Firefighter. "It's an awesome opportunity. Personally I have a passion for helping people in general," Walker said. - PUB DATE: 10/12/2017 10:59:57 PM - SOURCE: WTMJ-AM 620 Milwaukee
VIDEO: Milwaukee firefighters were honored for the work they do everyday in the city Thursday night at the department's Meritorious and Community Service Award ceremony. People like Fire Lt. Peter Nycz ran into a burning home on Mount Vernon Avenue on June 22. He went in before any water was on the fire just after three children had been dropped out a window. - PUB DATE: 10/12/2017 10:55:51 PM - SOURCE: Today's TMJ4
The student killed Wednesday in a crash involving a semi-trailer has been identified as a New Richmond girl. The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that 16-year-old Megan K. Bennig, a New Richmond High School student, died at the scene. The crash occurred at 3:08 p.m. at County Road G and 140th Avenue in the town of Richmond when Bennig’s 2001 Toyota Corolla entered the intersection. - PUB DATE: 10/12/2017 7:29:06 AM - SOURCE: Hudson Star-Observer
One person was injured Wednesday night in a crash near Ho-Chunk Gaming that took down a tree and a fire hydrant, officials said. Crews were sent around 7:45 p.m. to the intersection of Savannah and Millpond roads for reports of a single-vehicle crash, according to a release. Firefighters found a van on its passenger side with one unsecured person inside, officials said. - PUB DATE: 10/12/2017 6:56:53 AM - SOURCE: WISC-TV Channel 3000.com Madison
A fire station on Appleton's northeast side will close for repairs on Thursday. The Appleton Fire Department says a sturctural engineer determined that the apparatus floor of Fire Station #4, 724 E. Greenfield St., needs to be repaired. While the repairs are done, the station will be closed for 8-10 weeks. - PUB DATE: 10/11/2017 6:38:57 AM - SOURCE: WLUK TV Fox 11
A fire inside a dryer at an East Side laundromat Monday night produced enough smoke to carry over into an adjoining restaurant, with nobody hurt in the blaze. The fire was reported at about 9 p.m. at Dana Lou's Coin Laundry, 3583 E. Washington Ave., the Madison Fire Department said. The smoke wafted into OM Indian Fusion Cuisine, 3579 E. - PUB DATE: 10/11/2017 6:25:51 AM - SOURCE: Madison
The Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department will cap off Fire Prevention Week on Sunday by showing off their newly improved station. The B.U.G. Fire Department’s Gardner station now includes new apparatus bays, an improved electrical system, a gear closet, and more. Fire Chief Curt Vandertie says he cannot thank the community enough for their support for the improved station they now call home. - PUB DATE: 10/11/2017 4:52:28 AM - SOURCE: Door County Daily News
VIDEO: If you can't find the Buringa family at their auto shop, you can find them out helping the community as volunteer firefighters. "It's a lot of fun, but can be challenging," Matt Buringa said. Matt and his older brother, Marty Buringa, followed in their father's footsteps by joining the fire department. - PUB DATE: 10/11/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KCWY-TV NBC 13
A 31-year-old Sheboygan man is facing multiple charges after telling officers that aliens made him vandalize a home in the 900 block of Kentucky Avenue several times over the past three weeks — including trying to set the home on fire. Anouphong Inphachack was arrested Oct. 5 and charged with two counts felony arson of a building, two misdemeanor counts of graffiti, two counts criminal damage to property, and one misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon. - PUB DATE: 10/10/2017 6:42:49 AM - SOURCE: Marshfield News-Herald
VIDEO: Milwaukee Professional Firefighters plan an event at noon outside of City Hall to denounce the elimination of 75 firefighter position and six fire houses if the 2018 proposed budget is approved. According to their release, if these cuts are approved, it will mark the elimination of over 300 front line firefighters since Mayor Tom Barrett took office 14 years ago. - PUB DATE: 10/10/2017 5:55:39 AM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee
A kitchen fire Sunday morning in Chippewa Falls caused an estimated $2,000 in damage to an apartment on the 900 block of First Avenue, Battalion Chief John Bowe of Chippewa Falls Fire and EMS said. According to email correspondence from Bowe Sunday: At (4:24 p.m.) the afternoon of 10/08/2017, the Chippewa Falls Fire & Emergency Services were dispatched to 918 First Ave apartment #2 for a report of a possible kitchen fire. - PUB DATE: 10/10/2017 4:26:36 AM - SOURCE: Chippewa Herald
Around 800 people attend the Reedsburg Fire Departments chili luncheon and Harvest Fest Craft Show. However, Reedsburg Fire Chief Craig Douglas noticed a drop in attendance Oct. 7 at the Reedsburg fire station. Douglas said the weather and other events in Reedsburg area, such as Fermentation Fest and the Hill and Valley Exploration Tour, could have affected the turnout at the event. - PUB DATE: 10/10/2017 3:14:47 AM - SOURCE: Reedsburg Times-Press
VIDEO: The Beloit Fire Department is changing its recruitment process in hopes of increasing the applicant pool, and making the job more accessible to people of all socioeconomic classes. Beloit Fire Chief Brad Liggett said the department has struggled in the past to attract a diverse group of applicants. - PUB DATE: 10/9/2017 7:41:29 AM - SOURCE: WMTV-TV NBC 15 Madison
VIDEO: Emergency crews responded to a two-alarm fire in Milwaukee early Monday morning. It was reported around 3:30 a.m. near 33rd and State streets. Flames were shooting from the roof when firefighters and police officers arrived. Investigators are working to learn how the fire started. Police told WISN 12 News no injuries have been reported. - PUB DATE: 10/9/2017 5:59:07 AM - SOURCE: WISN-TV ABC 12 Milwaukee
The Riverside Fire District held its first ever open house on Sunday at the Rothschild Pavilion. All fire equipment, including a medical helicopter, was available for attendees to view and tour. Fire extinguisher demonstrations were available to help teach both children and adults fire safety. "We also have the fire safety house that we borrowed from a neighboring agency that promotes fire prevention in the home and what to do to stay safe and to get out in the event that something does happen," said Kelly Hanick, Fire Chief of the Riverside District. - PUB DATE: 10/8/2017 5:03:06 PM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau
VIDEO: National fire prevention week officially starts Sunday, but the Holmen Area Fire Department got a head start, holding an open house Saturday. This year's theme for the week is "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out." A smoke house simulated what it would be like to evacuate during a fire, and adults were able to practice with fire extinguishers. - PUB DATE: 10/7/2017 10:43:34 PM - SOURCE: WKBT-TV CBS 8 La Crosse
An early Saturday morning fire at Rosa's Pizza in downtown Whitewater caused extensive damage to the restaurant and surrounding apartments, according to a news release. The Whitewater Fire Department was dispatched to the restaurant, 180 W. Main St., at 6:10 a.m. after a report of smoke coming from the building's rear. - PUB DATE: 10/7/2017 5:29:43 PM - SOURCE: Janesville Gazette