The City of Wichita Falls has selected a new Deputy Fire Chief. According to a press release, Cody Melton has been named as the new Deputy Fire Chief, a position that was held by Donald Hughes, who was appointed as the Fire Chief on May 16, 2023. Melton, according to the release, has been with the fire department since 2007. Hughes was named interim chief after Ken Prillaman announced his retirement in February of this year. Hughes was selected to fill the position permanently earlier this month.  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: The Waco Fire Department is celebrating a major milestone. This year marks 150 years for the department; 150 years of service, courage and sacrifice for the city of Waco and its residents. The beginning: On March 23, 1873, a devastating fire destroyed a number of small businesses and professional offices on Bridge Street. Known as the Bridge Street fire, the impact it had on the city resulted in the formation of the Waco Fire Department on April 3, 1873. "You see a large number of buildings burn down and that is a major hit to your community," said Sean Sutcliffe, a Waco Fire historian. At first, the fire department was formed as a fire brigade. Known as Rescue Hook and Ladder No 1, it was made of volunteers and had horse-drawn carriages.  

The new firefighter training grounds east of Jasper has been named in honor of longtime Jasper firefighter Charlie Gee. The Charles E. Gee Memorial Training Facility recently opened and was created through a joint effort by Jasper County Emergency Services District #4 and the City of Jasper. Fire departments from across the area are now using the facility to train rookies, as well as to assist veteran firefighters with honing their skills. Charlie Gee joined the Jasper Fire Department in 1966 and eventually became the Jasper Fire Chief. Through the years he served as an original member of the Board of Trustees for the Texas Fire Museum, President of the East Texas Firemen & Fire Marshal's Association, and a member on the Committee for the Retirement & Pension Fund of the Jasper Fire Department.  

Firefighters put out a massive fire that broke out in a large pile of rubber pellets in North Portland. A TriMet driver called 911 after spotting the fire near the east end of the Steel Bridge at 2:45 a.m. The fire was next to the grain silos of the Louis Dreyfus Dock. Portland Fire & Rescue said crews had a difficult time putting out the flames because it was far away from fire hydrants, so they had to stretch out their hoses thousands of feet. Crews also say they were concerned about toxic smoke coming from the burning pile of rubber. No injuries were reported. Investigators have responded to determine the cause of the fire.  

Back in February, we told you about legislation that would help Indiana firefighters become what's known as "covered persons." The bill has now been signed into law. Becoming a covered person basically means that firefighters, both paid and volunteer, can apply to be removed from the public record. It's similar to being a police officer or judge in that you won't be able to find their name and address online anywhere. It comes on the heels of an incident right here in Evansville. Jonathan Wright is a firefighter with the Evansville Fire Department. In 2021, he was stabbed in the face just below his left eye. He got stitched up and finished his shift. Afterwards, he had to testify in court against the man who had stabbed him. Out of fear of retaliation, he wanted to take his name and address off of public record.  

An injured Philadelphia firefighter and aspiring musician is getting his big break. Randy Ballinger was severely injured when he fell 25 feet from a roof, fighting a fire back in February. Ballinger is an aspiring musician and plays guitar in his punk band Jersey Calling. After hearing about Ballinger's story, Geoff Gordon, the president of Live Nation Northeast, invited his band to open for the upcoming Adjacent Music Festival. "This unreal opportunity to open the Adjacent Music Festival is giving me plenty of motivation to accelerate my recovery," Ballinger said in a news release. "This is the inspiration I need to keep going. I am going to deliver my best performance." The festival is this Saturday and Sunday on the beach in Atlantic City. "Randy is a real hero who is inspiring with his courage," Gordon said.  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: The Waco Fire Department is celebrating a major milestone. This year marks 150 years for the department; 150 years of service, courage and sacrifice for the city of Waco and its residents. The beginning: On March 23, 1873, a devastating fire destroyed a number of small businesses and professional offices on Bridge Street. Known as the Bridge Street fire, the impact it had on the city resulted in the formation of the Waco Fire Department on April 3, 1873. "You see a large number of buildings burn down and that is a major hit to your community," said Sean Sutcliffe, a Waco Fire historian. At first, the fire department was formed as a fire brigade. Known as Rescue Hook and Ladder No 1, it was made of volunteers and had horse-drawn carriages.