National News

  • 3 American firefighters killed in C-130 crash while battling Australian wildfires
    Three American firefighters died in a water tanker plane crash Thursday while battling wildfires in Australia, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed. Rural Fire Service officials said they had located the plane, a C-130 Hercules, that crashed in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales state.
    - PUB DATE: 1/23/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FOX News
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  • Michigan firefighters staying in trucks after mold forces them out of station
    VIDEO: A group of firefighters have been forced out of their station due to health concerns. According to the president of the Dearborn Firefighters Union, fire station five is a moldy mess. Instead of sleeping overnight and waking up if there's a call— firefighters have been staying in trucks. They usually stay at fire station five in Dearborn, but 7 Action News has been told what started as a flooding problem led to mold.
    - PUB DATE: 1/23/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WXYZ-TV ABC 7 Detroit
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  • North Carolina county recommends shutting down fire department, firefighters say they’re here to stay
    After 67 years, a Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department could lose it’s funding from Mecklenburg County. That was a recommendation from the county’s Land Use and Environmental Services Agency at last week’s Board of County Commissioner’s policy meeting. They say these community fire departments are expensive to run and although no official decision has been made, the Cook’s Fire Department says they will do whatever they can to keep operating.
    - PUB DATE: 1/23/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WBTV CBS 3 Charlotte
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  • Phoenix fire truck drove up to 29 mph above the speed limit at time of deadly crash, report says
    VIDEO: A Phoenix fire engine was traveling approximately 29 mph over the speed limit at the time of a deadly crash in April 2019, according to the police investigation released Wednesday. The report, released more than nine months after the crash, also said the other vehicle's driver, Kenneth "Chase" Collins, 20, did not possess a valid driver's license and had marijuana in his system.
    - PUB DATE: 1/23/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KNXV-TV ABC 15 Phoenix
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  • Bill calls for changes in Maine's 'Dig Safe' law in response to Farmington explosion
    VIDEO: Maine lawmakers are considering a bill that would make changes to the state's "Dig Safe" law in response to last year's deadly explosion in Farmington. The bill would add liquefied propane gas lines to the law. "Dig Safe" laws prohibit digging around certain underground utility lines. In Maine, LP lines are currently not on the prohibited list, bill sponsor Rep.
    - PUB DATE: 1/23/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WMTW-TV ABC 8 Poland Spring
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  • New Mexico firefighters demand pay to meet the new state minimum wage requirement
    VIDEO: A statewide minimum wage increase that went into effect this year never came for Raton firefighters after city officials said they were unaware that the new law overruled the contract they had with the firefighters union. Now state unions are calling for appropriate raises. “It's an honor for them to serve, but at the same time—just compensate them correctly, that's all we're asking,” said Robert Sanchez, president of the New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Association.
    - PUB DATE: 1/22/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOB-TV NBC 4 Albuquerque
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  • Volunteer firefighter contracts terminated in Texas county, no known plan in place to serve communities
    The county’s Emergency Services Department Board unanimously motioned to end its contracts with volunteer fire departments that protect a large chunk of El Paso County Tuesday night, leaving many firefighters worried for their futures. Six El Paso area fire departments say they were given a 90-day notice that the county is looking at terminating their contracts and with no plan in place that they’re aware of, the firefighters worry what this means for the communities they serve.
    - PUB DATE: 1/22/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTSM-TV NBC 9 El Paso
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  • Firefighter badly burned in 2015 Twisp River fire in Washington reaches $5 million settlement with 2 utilities
    A wildland firefighter badly burned in the 2015 Twisp River blaze has reached a $5 million settlement with two utility companies that he had sued for allegedly failing to keep branches away from a power line that state officials concluded caused the ignition. The civil suit that resulted in the settlement was filed by Daniel Lyon Jr.
    - PUB DATE: 1/22/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Seattle Times - Metered Site
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  • Viral video challenge prompts warning from Massachusetts fire marshal
    VIDEO: The state fire marshal on Tuesday put all Massachusetts fire chiefs on alert that his office has already received reports of two instances in which teens trying to recreate a viral video have caused electrical system damage or fire. Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said a video that’s gained attention on the TikTok app has encouraged teens to partially insert the plug part of a phone charger into a wall outlet and then slide a penny down the wall to make contact with the two exposed prongs.
    - PUB DATE: 1/22/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFXT-TV FOX 25 Boston
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  • Wisconsin fire department uses new tech to help keep people safe
    VIDEO: The Plover Fire Department recently started using navigation compass devices in their masks. It not only helps crews combat structure fires but it also helps them save lives. "We've had two actual structure fires within the last week," said Plover Fire Dept. Captain Ethan Meddaugh. "One in the village of Plover and one in the village of Whiting.
    - PUB DATE: 1/22/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WAOW-TV ABC 9
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