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'I don't think she would've made it': Off-duty Waller firefighter saves woman from burning car A Waller firefighter wasn't on duty, but that didn't stop him from being a hero when a woman wrecked her car just yards from his home. A burned up ditch and a few yellow flags are all that remain after the crash. "I'm telling you ... that car, it went up quick," Capt. Michael Mathes said. For Mathes, it was supposed to be a quiet day off including a quick stop at home to bring his wife lunch. "I was getting out of my car and I heard a boom," Mathes said. A quick glance down the road showed him what it was. "I saw the vehicle sitting over here in the ditch, and it started smoking," Mathes said. He hopped back in his car and drove toward the wreckage. "By the time I walked up to it, the flames were already coming up on the windshield," Mathes said. KHOU-TV CBS 11 HOUSTON Mission Firefighters: The Fight for Life Firefighters tasked with protecting the community were left helpless when they received a cancer diagnosis. Some lost their fight. Others were set on a path that would change their lives and the law forever. In just a few years, the Mission Fire Department went from one firefighter battling cancer to six. It's not a coincidence, but it was harder to prove than any of them could have imaged. Days at the Mission Fire Station normally start with greeting and conversing with fellow firefighters for George Wyant and Homer Salinas. Quickly, it can change. "It's a whole other world when we're in there," said Salinas. "You could get burned. The roof can fall on you. You can get trapped. You could get hit by a vehicle at a vehicle accident," explained Wyant. A brotherhood forged in fire began as a calling. "That's what I dreamed of since I was a kid," said Salinas. KRGV-TV CHANNEL 5 WESLACO Texas A&M University Researchers: Chemicals Released During Deer Park ITC Fire Did Not Harm Humans Firefighters used chemically laced foam to extinguish blazes at Intercontinental Terminals Company in March, but at a public meeting Nov. 4, researchers said the foam did not release enough chemicals into the environment to harm humans. However, the researchers said there are several data gaps that would give them more insight as to the effects of the chemicals release. Researchers from the Texas A&M University Superfund Research Center and Galveston Bay Foundation Director Bob Stokes spoke at a meeting in Seabrook to break down the effects of the ITC fire on the environment. The fire began March 17 in Deer Park when chemical tanks caught on fire—a fire that took days to extinguish. After the fire, the foundation found it difficult to learn and understand what the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was doing to sample the air and water for perfluorooctanoic acids, or PFAs—potentially harmful chemicals commonly used in firefighting foam. COMMUNITY IMPACT - RICHMOND 'We're In A Tinderbox': How Wildfire Codes Could Protect Austin Homes At Risk Randy Jamieson lives in the River Place development in Northwest Austin – what developers call a "master-planned" community. About 4,000 people live there, and the city of Austin recently annexed it. With its location near Lake Travis, real estate agents pitch the area as desirable for homebuyers looking for "Hill Country" and "Lakeside" views. But Jamieson feels nervous about living there. "My anxiety goes pretty sky high when it's hot and dry; we're in a tinderbox," he says while sitting in a busy café in a strip mall near his home. River Place and several communities nearby face some of the highest risk of catastrophic wildfires in the Austin area. And the city of Austin released an audit in late October indicating the city isn't doing enough to prepare. KUT-FM 90.5 AUSTIN Victoria's EMS system increases fees, begins charity care program Victoria's Emergency Medical Services system has increased its fees for services for the first time in five years because of the growing cost to operate with a high level of care. The EMS system also has begun a charity care program, which provides free or discounted medical care provided to patients who are unable to pay for all or part of medical costs because of limited income or financial hardship. "We are raising rates, but we're also implementing this charity care program we think will be very beneficial to a lot of our customers," said Fire Chief Tracy Fox. Fox presented an overview of the changes to Victoria City Council members at their meeting Oct. 15. He explained that the department's EMS system hasn't adjusted its fees since 2014. And when it did so in 2014, fees actually decreased, although costs, including payroll costs, the cost to purchase an ambulance and costs of basic medical supplies, have gone up significantly in the past five years. VICTORIA ADVOCATE - METERED SITE Hays County high school students can become full-time firefighters through program It started with a conversation three years ago. Hays CISD met with the Kyle Fire Department and discussed what kinds of professionals were needed in the community. The consensus? More firefighters and emergency medical technicians. And so the district's Firefighter Academy was birthed. This isn't a school field trip. It is actually the fifth period for some Hays and Lehman High School students. These juniors and seniors are part of the firefighter academy – a partnership between Hays CISD and the Kyle Fire Department. Freddy Rolon is the training captain for this two-year program. "So these cadets are in a two-year interview with us. We can see what they are capable of and we can see how smart they can be and how we can develop them," Rolon explained. The course offers both traditional and hands-on learning, from dressing up in safety gear in 60 seconds to more intense search and rescue drills. KCEN-TV NBC 6 CENTRALTEXASNOW.COM PREVIOUS STATE NEWS |
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Colorado Firefighters Test Prototypes Which Could One Day Save Lives VIDEO: West Metro firefighters got a glimpse at what could be the future of public safety Tuesday. It was all part of a competition to see which product prototypes help firefighters best navigate dangerous conditions. All of the devices were incorporated in the firefighter's gear and involved haptic technology, which involves using a vibration or touch sensation to communicate which direction to go in a dangerous or hectic situation. Four teams of developers from around the country came to compete in the event sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The goal was for developers to get the firefighters in and out of a smoky building the quickest at West Metro Fire Rescue's training center. KCNC-TV CBS 4 DENVER California: As Paradise Rebuilds, a Divide Over Safety a Year After Fire There was "no way in hell" Victoria Sinclaire was rebuilding in Paradise. She'd thought she was going to die during the six hours it took her to escape the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. The town where she'd raised her family was nearly wiped out, two of her three cats had disappeared into the flames, and she "was done." Sinclaire and tens of thousands of others in nearby communities fled the wind-whipped inferno that killed 85 people and incinerated roughly 19,000 homes, businesses and other buildings on Nov. 8, 2018. Despite her vow to stay away, Sinclaire's family was one of the first to rebuild, braving the enduring threat of wildfires, and now, repeated power outages as the nation's largest utility tries to prevent its equipment from sparking blazes on windy days like it did in Paradise a year ago. NBC BAY AREA NEWS Texas county high school students can become full-time firefighters through program It started with a conversation three years ago. Hays CISD met with the Kyle Fire Department and discussed what kinds of professionals were needed in the community. The consensus? More firefighters and emergency medical technicians. And so the district's Firefighter Academy was birthed. This isn't a school field trip. It is actually the fifth period for some Hays and Lehman High School students. These juniors and seniors are part of the firefighter academy – a partnership between Hays CISD and the Kyle Fire Department. Freddy Rolon is the training captain for this two-year program. "So these cadets are in a two-year interview with us. We can see what they are capable of and we can see how smart they can be and how we can develop them," Rolon explained. KVUE-TV ABC 24 AUSTIN Pennsylvania House approves bills to aid stressed first responders Rushing to the aid of Pennsylvania towns that need to recruit more volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel, the state House of Representatives passed 16 bills in the past two weeks to support their efforts. State Rep. Frank Farry, R-142, of Langhorne, co-introduced House Bill 1459, which would create an Emergency Responder Mental Wellness and Stress Management Program that would assist first responders, including 911 dispatchers and coroners. "I want to ensure our first responders have the necessary resources to seek support if they are or have been suffering from post-traumatic stress injuries," said Farry, who is chief of the Langhorne Fire Co. "While dedicating their lives to protecting others, our heroes have witnessed some of the most horrifying scenes that are engraved in their memories forever. These memories often become a heavy weight on their shoulders, and it is our duty as legislators to return the favor of protecting those who keep us safe." THE INTELLIGENCER South Carolina firefighters say they need to protect their own, push for cancer bill VIDEO: A local fire department is fighting for a bill that would offer protections for firefighters with cancer. Midway Fire Rescue is holding a town hall meeting Wednesday to spread awareness of the Presumptive Firefighter Cancer Bill. "We're trying to make (people) aware and have people call their legislatures and tell them to support this bill," President of Midway Professional Firefighters Association Justin Lenker said. "We're one of the last states in North America that doesn't have cancer presumption." News13 first reported about this bill when it was introduced earlier this year. It's made to designate certain cancers as line-of-duty diseases, entitling sick first responders to workers' compensation. Midway fire is hoping it passes next year. "We want to make headway now," Lenker said. "So when they're back in session, we're ready to rock and roll" WBTW-TV CBS 13 FLORENCE PREVIOUS NATIONAL NEWS |
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L-O-D-D Wisconsin - Brian Serdynski, Firefighter, Union Grove-Yorkville Fire Department, Union Grove, Wisconsin L-O-D-D Washington, DC - Alex Graham, Firefighter, DC Fire and EMS Department, Washington, DC The Daily Dispatch office will be closed Monday, Nov. 11 - In observance of Veterans Day Amanda Kimball named executive director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation - Casey Grant retires RFP: Program Services for the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association SAFER Recruitment & Retention Grant NFPA is awarded FEMA funds to develop free public safety drone compliance program for the fire service 6 policy areas that impact firefighter safety and worker's compensation costs. Download White Paper Now! IAFC's Fire Service Executive Development Institute Available for 8th Year - Application deadline is 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 Request for Proposals: Fire Services Study - City of Mercer Island, WA - Proposals due by 11/8/19 Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants - Check for Awards Assistance to Firefighters Grant Awards - Check for Awards The Daily Dispatch Is Now On Facebook Find us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/dailydispatch POST ANNOUNCEMENTS MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Public Protection (PPC) Field Representative - Insurance Services Office (ISO) - Allentown, PA and Lubbock, TX Fire Science and Maritime Fire Instructor - Clatsop Community College - Astoria, OR Lateral FF/EMT and a FF/Paramedic list. - Treasure Valley Fire Cooperative - Meridian, ID Paramedic Program Director - University of Washington - Seattle, WA Deputy Fire Chief, Operations - South Whidbey Fire/EMS - Freeland, WA Fire Chief - North Whidbey Fire and Rescue - Oak Harbor, WA (closes: Nov 07, 2019) Deputy Fire Chief - City of Rocklin - Rocklin, CA (closes: Nov 08, 2019) Fire Quality Assurance Specialist - City of Cape Coral - Cape Coral, FL (closes: Nov 13, 2019) Firefighter and Firefighter/Paramedic Position (Lateral) - South Kitsap Fire and Rescue - Port Orchard, WA (closes: Nov 15, 2019) Firefighter/Paramedic - City of Georgetown - Georgetown, TX (closes: Nov 18, 2019) Battalion Chief of Operations - City of Grand Junction - Grand Junction, CO (closes: Nov 29, 2019) Deputy Chief - Hoodland Fire District #74 - Welches, OR (closes: Nov 29, 2019) Fire Chief - West Dundee Fire Department - West Dundee, IL (closes: Nov 29, 2019) Fire Chief - Sni Valley Fire Protection District - Oak Grove, MO (closes: Dec 13, 2019) Firefighter Cadet - Corpus Christi Fire Department - Corpus Christi, TX (closes: Jan 10, 2020) POST JOB MORE JOBS |
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IAFC Chief's Edge - University of California, Davis - Davis, CA - November 18-19, 2019 Avoiding Inspection Issues and Interfacing with Fire Alarms - Webinar - November 21, 2019 Wildland Fire Training Classes - Truckee Meadows Community College - Reno, NV - January 6 - May 4, 2020 FDSOA Fire Apparatus, Safety and Maintenance Conference - Scottsdale, AZ - January 12-15, 2020 Basics Of Spec Writing - FDSOA - Scottsdale, AZ - January 12, 2020 FDSOA Annual Health and Safety Conference - Scottsdale, AZ - January 13-16, 2020 Teex Leadership Development Symposium - San Marcos, TX - January 20-22, 2020 Model Performance in Community Risk Reduction Symposium - Murfreesboro, TN - February 18-20, 2020 Ice Rescue Instructor Academy - Lifesaving Resources, LLC - Portland, ME - February 20-23, 2020 Northwest Leadership Seminar - Portland, OR - March 4-6, 2020 Water Rescue Instructor Academy - Lifesaving Resources, LLC - Portland, ME - May 14-17, 2020 POST EVENT MORE EVENTS |
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