VIDEO: On Friday, July 26, at approximately 7 p.m., a car caught fire at the Circle K off Johansen, located on Harold Bentley Avenue. The burning vehicle was parked next to a fuel pump at the time. As a result, the heat from the fire caused damage to the pump as well as to other property at the gas station. The Fairbanks Fire Department responded, and was able to extinguish the fire quickly. Fortunately, bystanders were able to hit the emergency shut-off switch located on the building. This prevented the fire from spreading through gas lines, which could have further fueled the fire. "Anytime you're fueling your vehicle, you want to follow those rules or instructions that are usually posted by the fuel pumps. You know, keep your vehicle off, always pump into an approved container, don't get in and out of your vehicle, don't light cigarettes and have open flames around the fumes and vapors from the gasoline," said Fairbanks Fire Dept. Fire Chief Andrew Coccaro.  

VIDEO: A transition report released last week from former Mayor Dave Bronson's administration is now triggering questions surrounding the impact it will have on public safety and city services. The report described upcoming challenges for the city across multiple departments as Mayor Suzanne LaFrance's administration takes over. The fire department's section in the more than 150-page report described issues with firefighter morale, financials, and recruiting practices. When asked if he is concerned any of these issues would impact his department's ability to respond to incidents, AFD Fire Chief Doug Schrage said Monday that he doesn't "expect any layoffs or reduction in services." The fire department employs more than 400 people, but some are dealing with morale and burnout issues, in part because calls for emergency medical services are increasing year over year without a corresponding increase in population.  

VIDEOS: A dramatic video 8 News Now obtained captures a person dangling out of the second-floor window of an apartment building that was on fire. The fire happened on Sunday night in the 3900 block of Spencer Street at the Riverbend Village Apartments near Flamingo Road. According to the American Red Cross, Sunday's deadly fire displaced 19 residents but that number could rise. The video 8 News Now obtained showed a person with one leg out the second-story window as flames blocked off the exits. Out of desperation to escape, the person jumped from the window and landed on a bush. A minute later, another person was seen on video running out of the building covered in flames. They then dropped to the ground and quickly got back up with the flames extinguished.  

VIDEO: It's been five months since three first responders were killed in the line of duty in Burnsville. Police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, along with firefighter and medic Adam Finseth, were shot as they responded to a 911 call for help on Feb. 18. There are reminders everywhere at Burnsville police headquarters; in hallways and offices; and even the garage. At Fire Station 1, there is a lone picture of Finseth on the Memorial Wall. He's the first and only city firefighter ever killed on the job. "Grief doesn't end, certainly not quickly," said Burnsville Police Deputy Chief Matt Smith. "People are still grieving, and so we're still taking care of each other and making sure everyone is OK." Smith says the best way he and his colleagues honor the fallen is getting to work, and they're doing that thanks to big assists from the department's growing list of mental health resources.  

VIDEO: A pair of bills recently signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer seek to help address the EMS Staffing Crisis. HB-4613 and HB-4614 stretch "temporary licenses" for medical first responders from 120 days to a year and allow them to work on ambulances as long as they're supervised. Genesee County has been struggling especially during the shortage. First responders and local officials said this might be a helpful shot in the arm, but added that the state still needs to address the factors that are discouraging people from entering the field in the first place. Kyle Ward, an EMT in the Genesee County Area, is cautiously optimistic. The new policies allow the state to grant one-year temporary licenses to trainees who've completed everything but their exams.