Southside Volunteer Fire Department like many others in Henderson County is in desperate need of volunteers. "The department needs firefighters who are able to take time out of their day" Lt. Ike Smith said. Applicants must be able to pass a background check and after a 90 day probation will be full fledged fire fighters. "We do all the training, they do not have to be certified for anything. Some volunteers were able to get jobs with paid departments because of the training provided by VFD's," Smith said. Fire Academy alone averages around $4800. Training opportunities are a huge benefit to joining a volunteer department. EMT school, Fire Academy, Search and Rescue, dive training, etc. All cost money, but with a local VFD offering to train you, this could potentially save applicants thousands of dollars and provide the edge they need to apply to larger paid departments after gaining much needed experience.  

Volunteer firefighters were hoping voters Tuesday night would support adding a sales tax in their districts. Jeremy Hansen, a fire chief with Jefferson County ESD #4, tells 12News the proposition would've helped fund new equipment and prepare for future needs. "The proposition for the sales tax was in response to projected growth and funding needs in the future," said Hansen. "Coupling the needs of replacing the station and apparatus that's aging." Unfortunately for him, 57 percent of people voted "no" on the proposition. (253 votes For, 337 votes Against) Jefferson County ESD #4 Proposition A read "The adoption of a local sales and use tax in Jefferson County Emergency Services District No. 4 at a rate not to exceed one and one-half percent (1.5%) in any location in the district."  

There's no need for an alarm clock inside Leon Valley's fire station. Bed time comes when it can, and it can end at any moment. "I understand there are nights where I'm going to be up all night," said Assistant Fire Chief Eric Burnside. "That's what the citizens need from me and that's what I want to provide to them." Burnside doesn't do it alone. He has crews of dedicated firefighters, many of whom also are trained as EMS providers, to help him get the job done. They serve a city within a city with a population of more than 11,000 people. Leon Valley, which is about three-and-a-half square miles in size, is surrounded by the San Antonio city limits.  

Wichita Falls Fire Department officials say a house fire near Castaway Cove caused thousands in damages and left five pets dead. Monday firefighters responded to a call about a house fire in the 1600 block of Star Vista Drive to find a fire in the kitchen that quickly spread to the attic. WFFD was able to put out the fire in about 15 minutes, but when the home was searched firefighters found three cats and two dogs that had died inside the home, presumably from smoke inhalation. The damage from this fire is estimated at $40,000. The owners were not home at the time of the fire but fire officials helped them remove some personal belongings from the house when they were notified of the fire. The cause of this fire is still being investigated.  

According to Mount Vernon VFD Fire Chief Kenneth Cupp, a worker on a riding mower was driving it through a ditch on Holbrook Street and apparently hit a 2-inch gas line in the bank of the ditch, breaking the line. Cupp said the scent of natural gas was so strong that residents of the street a distance of about 3/4 of a mile around the break were evacuated. Some have gone to First Baptist Church, some to a Hispanic Church, and some went to the homes of relatives. As of around 8 p.m., Josh Daily, Emergency Management Coordinator for the county, said that residents are allowed to go home now. He said Holbrook is still closed between Grady and Andrews where the gas company is still working on repairing the gas line. He said part of the roadway may be dug up to get to the line.  

The Cactus Fire Department will place a new tanker truck into service this week. On Wednesday, Nov. 6, Tender 1 will be placed into service for the very first time. Tender 1 is a 3,400 gallon 2020 Freightliner tanker firetruck that will be able to supply water and be filled quickly. The Cactus Fire Department says the new tanker truck will help the department in their mission to provide the best fire protection to our community and make fire operations more effective.  

Escambia County is mourning the loss of Dwain S. Bradshaw, age 41, a Volunteer District Chief at Escambia County Fire Rescue Station #1 in Bellview and Volunteer Assistant District Chief for ECFR Station #2 in Beulah, who was killed this morning while on scene responding to a multi-vehicle accident on the Muscogee Bridge. "The Escambia County family lost a true hero and dedicated public servant today," County Administrator Janice Gilley said. "Our hearts go out to Dwain Bradshaw's family, loved ones, and all of the men and women of Escambia County Fire Rescue who are grieving the loss of their colleague and friend. I, along with the Board of County Commissioners, ask that you please keep all first responders in your prayers as they continue to selflessly risk their lives every day to protect and serve the public."  

A Los Angeles firefighter received more than $360,010 in overtime last fiscal year, a city audit found Wednesday, according to a report. The audit reported that 18 other Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) employees received more than $200,000 in overtime pay and 90 percent of police and fire employees received some amount of overtime, The Los Angeles Times reported. An LAFD spokesperson said overtime is necessary for the department's "constant staffing model." He didn't give any details on the firefighters. The audit found that city and fire employees earned an average of $27,737 last fiscal year and the city's general employees made an average of $7,528.  

The city firefighters' union is fighting back against plans to install security cameras at all three of its firehouses in the wake of a drug-ring scandal. Middletown Firefighters Association Inc. Local 1027 filed an improper practice charge with the state Public Employment Relations Board on Oct. 21 against city hall for the soon-to-be-installed video surveillance cameras at the Central Firehouse on East Main Street, the Wallkill Street Station on Wallkill Avenue and the North Street Station. According to a copy of the complaint obtained by the Times Herald-Record, the union alleges the cameras were being installed without its consent and without prior negotiation. The union asked for a cease and desist order to prevent the city from moving forward with installing the cameras.  

Coffee has fueled Luke Schneider's career, which began in the U.S. Navy when he served as Damage Control 2nd Class Petty Officer, and continues to fuel his post at the Rockford, Illinois Fire Department. "I started drinking coffee when I was in the Navy working long hours and long shifts to stay awake," said Schneider. "Coffee was a necessity, and when I got out of the Navy, it was the same in the fire department. You drink a lot of coffee, and it's essential at every fire station." Coffee evolved from a necessity into a hobby, thanks to his wife, Emily. Schneider told FOX Business that the two of them would spend weekends venturing into different cafes tasting freshly roasted coffee. The couple shortly thereafter began roasting their own beans and gifting their blends to friends and family. Schnieder created his own "fire department blend" which sparked the idea for his company Fire Department Coffee.