A former assistant fire chief has passed away. The Marion Fire Department announced the passing of Retired Assistant Chief William "Bill" Heyde on Thursday morning. Heyde passed on Wednesday, June 26. "Chief Bill Heyde was an integral part of the Marion Fire Department and will be greatly missed," wrote Marion Fire Chief Tim Barnett. Heyde began his time as a firefighter in August 1989. He followed in the path of his father, Chief Charles Heyde. Bill Heyde joined Marion full-time in November 1991. During his time with Marion, Heyde spent time as a Lieutenant and Captain before landing his place as Assistant Fire Chief. He retired on September 16, 2022. Heyde also served on the original MABAS 45 Technical Rescue Team and in several rescue deployments.  

The Normal Fire Department is helping write the book on safety and firefighting at electric vehicle plants, notably with lithium-ion battery fires. Rivian and NFD are working together to navigate the challenges of fire safety at an electric vehicle manufacturer. "This is all learn as you go," Fire Chief Mick Humer said in an interview on WGLT's Sound Ideas. One of the biggest challenges is in relation to how big the Rivian plant is. With a sprawling facility that has more than 1 million square feet, Humer said communication is more difficult than in a standard call. "That's always a problem whenever you have large structure, whether be it Rivian or be it ISU, and some of the buildings," he said. "Some of the radio frequencies won't penetrate the buildings because they're concrete or steel or whatever."  

One man remains in critical condition after an intense fire at a Brooklyn apartment building that firefighters say was sparked by a charging lithium-ion battery. The fire broke out inside the building just before 6:40 a.m. Thursday on Avenue M in the Midwood section. At least four people were hurt in the fire. A man was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The 30-year-old man is being treated for severe burns at Staten Island University Hospital North. The other people being treated for injuries are all expected to survive. Dramatic video showed firefighters entering the lobby and pulling out what appeared to be an e-bike that was engulfed in flames and blocking the stairwell. It is believed to be the property of one of the injured victims. Multiple e-bike batteries were also apparently found on fire inside.  

Firefighters and police officers are brotherhoods that intersect when the public calls, and recently, when there's a call for change in the law regarding partial-disability benefits. "I see zero drawbacks with this law [House Bill 5188]," Cpt. Steve McCormick of the Huntington Fire Department said. House Bill 5188 received unanimous support during this year's regular session. After passing the full Legislature, it was signed by Gov. Jim Justice, going into effect June 6. McCormick is also president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 289 — which represents the HFD firefighters — and sits on the advisory board of the Professional Fire Fighters of West Virginia (PFFWV). Beyond the theoretical language of the new law are walking, talking reasons for it, many wearing uniforms who are sworn to protect the public but up until recently, had limited protections.  

PHOTOS: Long years of dedicated service are nothing new in the 125-year history of the Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department. Take, for example, fire Chief Paul Harenchar, who has been a member of the firefighting organization for 41 years, or Bill Hare and Dave Bert — each with three decades or more of service, which includes caring for the department's 109-year-old antique fire engine. "It was our first motorized piece of equipment," Hare said of the 1915 American LaFrance engine. "It was brand new when it was purchased by the First Ward Hose Company. It's a department truck now." Restored to its past glory, the LaFrance truck still takes part in an occasional ceremonial detail. Its latest foray will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, when it will have a prominent role in the department's 125th anniversary parade along Main Street.  

VIDEO: Randall Cobb's house was engulfed in flames this week, and now the veteran NFL wide receiver is sharing video of the damage, with the longtime pro saying he feared his vehicles were going to blow up! The 33-year-old former Packers star explained what happened at his Tennessee estate ... where he, his wife Aiyda, and their three kids were at home at the time of the incident. "First and foremost, we are all safe and healthy," Cobb said in an Instagram post. "We got out of the house and I was able to go back in and get our dog, Louie." Cobb said the blaze started in his garage, and the situation was so dire, Randall thought his vehicles -- including his Mercedes G Wagon (which RC shows was badly damaged) -- were going to blow up.  

VIDEO: A Yuba County nonprofit organization is using a creative approach in an effort to decrease the risk of wildfires in the foothills that could be sparked by dragging tow chains. The unique solution comes from repurposing a piece of unusable fire equipment. "A lot of people don't even know that a dragging chain can cause a fire," said Smartsville Fire Protection District Captain Glen Ford. "They need to properly secure them and if they have the wherewithal, they can go to their local fire department and get used fire hose that go over the chains." The Smartsville Fire Protection District is one of the distribution sites for the Yuba Watershed Protection and Fire Safe Council's "No Spark" Tow Chain Program. The program repurposes fire hoses, turning them into chain covers for people who need to tow trailers and boats behind their vehicles.