The ECCA Volunteer Fire Department in southern Taylor County now has a brand-new building. Firefighters have moved into their new fire station and community center, a project ten years in the making. The volunteer fire department raised all of the funds for the million-dollar project. Just minutes after the trucks were parked inside the building, the department received a call about a windmill fire, so the new facility was immediately put to use. ECCA Volunteer Fire Department Chief Gary Young has seen the construction of this new building from start to finish. "We're just really fortunate that we've gotten this place," said Young. Young stated that they are excited for their 22nd Annual Bonanza to raise funds for a new fire engine on January 27th.  

VIDEO: On Monday evening, Austin firefighters responded to a fire burning from a two-story home on Camperdown Elm Drive in South Austin. While firefighters were battling the flames, the roof of the home collapsed on four of them. "Luckily, our firefighters were able to get themselves out of this instance but that's not always the case, unfortunately, across America," said Rachael Lewis, the Austin Fire Department Operations PIO. Lewis could not share details of the firefighters' injuries but said they have been treated and released. They have not yet returned to work. Lewis says she has noticed some other roof collapses happen due to homes and buildings getting built faster with more lightweight construction materials.  

VIDEO: Saving lives properly was the point of an annual emergency drill at an East Texas airport Thursday. Techniques practiced for endless hours were put into practice at Tyler Pounds Regional airport. The emergency scenario was a downed plane, represented by a bus, 49 passengers, many who were injured, and fuel spill and fire. All elements first responders train for. "Generally fire shows up first and we set up command posts. First truck was on scene real quick. Probably within a minute or so," said drill participant battalion chief David Admire. The point of the exercise is to evaluate the preparedness and capabilities of first responders including airport personnel along with fire and law enforcement, focusing first on life saving. "What condition of the people, then it's a triage situation," Admire said.  

This week we've witnessed a wide range of winter weather throughout Central Texas. Despite the cold conditions, firefighters in Austin have been working around the clock responding to constant calls. The week of Jan. 18-24 alone, the Austin Fire Department received 2,254 calls. Many involved helping people locate water shutoff valves along with assisting with fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Mark Bridges is a division chief at the AFD. He says 911 calls are constant this time of year. "Our call volume over the last few days has easily doubled compared to what we normally do," Bridges said. "Around 90% of that is due to weather-related events." Firefighters believe this uptick in emergencies is caused by the cold, as plenty of people try to warm up and heat their homes.  

Six families are displaced after a heavy fire broke out at an apartment building in Warren. Firefighters rushing to Arlington Avenue around 2 a.m. Friday found heavy smoke and flames shooting from the top floor. Bristol, Warren and Providence firefighters are on scene and still working to put out hot spots. "We had fire on the first floor, right through the walls up to the third floor and the attic so it was an extensive fire attack," Fire Chief James Sousa said. Arlington Avenue is down to one lane, causing traffic backups in the area. The Red Cross is also on scene assisting the displaced residents. One firefighter was taken to the hospital to be evaluated. No word on a cause at this time.  

PHOTOS: A sentinel of safety on York's streets since 1884, the city's Gamewell fire alarm system is shutting down. It's hard to imagine a 140-year-old communication system still in operation in an age where AI is taking over physical buttons via voice and short-lived, disposable appliances are the norm. In the year the Gamewell system started watching over York, the cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty was laid and the Washington Monument was dedicated. Gamewell was responding to York fires less than 20 years after the American Civil War ended. The system has stood on city streets waiting to take the call through two world wars and an evolution of transportation systems from horses, electric trolleys to modern-day battery-electric vehicles.  

VIDEO: On Monday evening, Austin firefighters responded to a fire burning from a two-story home on Camperdown Elm Drive in South Austin. While firefighters were battling the flames, the roof of the home collapsed on four of them. "Luckily, our firefighters were able to get themselves out of this instance but that's not always the case, unfortunately, across America," said Rachael Lewis, the Austin Fire Department Operations PIO. Lewis could not share details of the firefighters' injuries but said they have been treated and released. They have not yet returned to work. Lewis says she has noticed some other roof collapses happen due to homes and buildings getting built faster with more lightweight construction materials.  

A Horry County Fire Rescue firefighter is opening up about his cancer battle as part of Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. It's aimed at helping departments educate on ways to prevent cancer and what can be done if you are diagnosed. The American Cancer Society said cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among firefighters. Michael Myers has been a firefighter and paramedic for 10 years with Horry County Fire Rescue. At 24 years old, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He was one year into the job and said he never saw it coming. "Making somebody's worst day of their lives just a little better or making them feel OK in the end is worth it," Myers said. "I'll continue doing it till my body can't do it anymore."