VIDEO: Firefighters say that a lithium battery fire, which began to burn on Tuesday, is still smoldering in Morris, but progress has been made and officials are looking to execute new strategies to put out the blaze. According to Morris Fire Chief Tracey Steffas, the fire grew in intensity overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday, but crews were on scene throughout. "Companies on scene monitored and made sure the fire didn't jump off property and affect any exposures in residential areas," Steffas said. Steffas says that the fire has died down considerably since Wednesday morning, but is still giving off toxic smoke. "We are making headway on it," Steffas said. "We still have fumes, but nothing like it was this morning." Unable to use their regular fire hoses, firefighters are using unique techniques to put out the blaze. Firefighters will continue to use so-called "high flow water" to help cool off the batteries, and then plan to smother it with cement.  

Special recognition is being planned at the funeral Saturday of a young Mattoon firefighter in honor of his service. Ironically, 21-year-old Mehdi Mourad had joined the Wabash Fire Protection District department just five days before his death. Mourad, a native of Morocco, was in the United States to attend school at Lake Land College. He was traveling on I-57 near the Lake Land College interchange to assist at a crash scene when he lost control of his vehicle in the rainy weather. His vehicle ran off onto the shoulder of the interstate and struck a vehicle that had pulled off to wait for the rainfall to lessen. Mourad had to be extricated from his vehicle and was taken to the hospital, but died from his injuries. Mourad's funeral service will be at noon Saturday at New Hope Church in Effingham. While there will be a visitation time from 10am to noon, Holomy said there will be a firefighter walkthrough at 11:30am.  

The Glen Carbon Fire Protection District began a new chapter on July 1 with the implementation of fulltime 24 hours a day, seven days a week firefighters in addition to EMS duty crews. While paid-on-call volunteers have been a more than 100-year tradition at the district — and will remain a critical component of its response team — the addition will allow a two-man crew to get a fire truck on scene on a 5-10 minute response basis. As a result, district residents will experience a more reliable fire response; it usually is not possible for volunteers to respond as promptly unless they are pre-positioned at a station. The district has one paid fire chief, one paid deputy fire chief, one paid paramedic supervisor, eight paid firefighter/paramedics, 30 paid-on-call firefighters and 20 parttime paramedics.  

The Lockport Township Fire Protection Department of Lockport, Illinois has launched a custom health application, developed by Lighthouse Health & Wellness, designed to provide resources and support the wellbeing of first responders and their families. Lighthouse Health & Wellness is an in-hand, on-demand, 100% confidential health and wellness platform. The apps give public safety employees easy access to their agency's existing health and wellness programs, as well as to a growing library of the latest educational health and wellness information and tools—all tailored to the unique needs of those working in public safety. Custom mobile applications include access to the evolving Lighthouse Library of educational content, the agency's existing wellness resources, a customizable event calendar, peer support toolbox, therapist locator, and more.  

VIDEO: The Springfield Fire Department fights fires, and occasionally, bedbugs. They've been seeing more of the irritating insects over the last few years, and it's costing them time and money. Just a few years ago, an entire fire station had to be cleared out because of a bedbug infestation. It all happened after firefighters responded to a house fire where the bugs were present. Not all the situations are that bad, but they're seeing bedbug problems every few months. And they say this is typical of fire stations across America. "The bedbug issue has been something in the last couple years that has really increased," Chief Brandon Blough said. They've even added bedbug infested houses to their list of Dangerous and Unsafe Buildings.  

Seventeen people were injured Wednesday evening after a planned police detonation of seized illegal fireworks ended in an explosion in South Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Police Department truck explosion occurred at about 7:40 p.m. at East 27th and San Pedro streets. Nine LAPD officers and one Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officer was taken to nearby hospitals, along with six civilians. A tenth LAPD officer was hurt, but was not hospitalized, according to the L.A. Fire Department. Names of the injured were not immediately released. Those hospitalized included 11 men and five women, all ranging in age between 42 and 85, according to LAFD. In a news conference early Thursday morning, the LAPD described all the injuries as mild to moderate in nature.  

Two of Boulder City's newest reserve firefighters joined the department for a unique reason: Their fellow firefighters treat them like equals and not like women. "You just feel like one of them," said Sarah Mitre about the Boulder City Fire Department. "I really appreciate that. I want to be a firefighter, not a female firefighter. I don't want to be any different." Mitre and Casey Jones were members of the 2020-2021 class of the fire department's reserve program fire academy. The reserve academy provides training for men and women who want to become firefighters. Once completed, the reserve firefighters are able to work several shifts per month at the Boulder City station. "Three years ago I would have said, ‘No, I don't want to go into fire,'" said Jones. "Boulder City has absolutely changed that."  

VIDEO: We all know being a first responder can be a dangerous job, but some firefighters are now dealing with new safety concerns. "It's a dangerous job but it's a very rewarding job," said Cpt. Tom Beaver, with the St. Paul Fire Department. It's a responsibility the men and women of the St. Paul Fire Department don't take lightly. Being one of the first to respond during emergencies. "It's risky, unnerving," said Cpt. Beaver. A critical part of that response effort is being equipped with the proper protective gear to keep those who risk it all on our behalf safe. From structure fires to mass shootings, fire fighters are there. "They're coming to treat those victims," said Jake Skifstad, Founder of SHIELD 616. He went on to say, "our firefighters, our paramedics, a lot of them don't have anything - not even a soft vest." Which is why Skifstad is making it his mission to supply fire departments near and far with an added layer of protection at a time when violent crimes are at an all-time high.  

VIDEO: One of the most powerful pieces of firefighting equipment in Central Florida got underway with the shattering of a champagne bottle on Wednesday. The 3,000-horsepower fireboat is ready to stand guard over the rebirth of the cruise industry. It takes a huge set of water cannons to protect a ship like the 6,500 passenger Carnival Mardi Gras. However, the biggest and latest of cruise ships would need more than water if a fire broke out. The Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in the U.S. to be fueled by liquefied natural gas, LNG. Putting out an LNG fire is a different sort of job. "It's very easy to control if you have the right stuff. And now we have the right stuff," Port Canaveral Fire Chief Dave Sargeant said. That's because the port has a new fireboat that is armed with the right stuff.  

VIDEO: It was a steamy day across Central Virginia on Wednesday and many were looking for a little relief from the heat. First responders in Petersburg came up with a unique way to keep kids cool. As temperatures flirted with the 100 degree mark, the city's police and fire department created their own splash park giving kids the chance to slide into summer with some fun. Around 1 p.m., firefighters and police officers gathered at Jefferson South of the James, an apartment complex, turned on the fire hose and set up a slip ‘n slide. Lilith Book is four years old and was standing outside awaiting the fire trucks arrival. "It's really hot. Like 97 degrees. I'm so excited," she exclaimed as she jumped up and down. Book's brother, Liam, was standing right beside her and said, "Me too. I wanna play on the water slide. I'm excited."