National News

  • New Jersey city facing $11 million in unused leave pay for retiring cops and firefighters
    City officials are setting aside $11 million in their 2021 budget to cover unused leave time payments for police officers and firefighters who may retire during the coming year. About $6 million would cover retirement payments for 46 police officers eligible for retirement during the 2021 fiscal year, according to information provided during a city budget hearing last week.
    - PUB DATE: 6/3/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: North Jersey.com (Bergen County Record & Herald News) - Metered Site
    Read More
  • 3 killed after PG&E-contracted helicopter crashes in California; firefighters injured in engine rollover
    Three people died after a helicopter crashed down into Solano County, officials said. A Bell 206 helicopter crashed near Lyon Road and Soda Springs Road around 1:30 p.m. near Fairfield, said Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Ian Gregor. PG&E spokesperson Brandi Merlo said the helicopter was contracted by PG&E.
    - PUB DATE: 6/3/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KXTV ABC 10 Sacramento
    Read More
  • Many COVID-19 practices, impacts will shape public-safety landscape long term, speakers say
    Many measures implemented initially in reaction to demands associated with the COVID-19 pandemic likely will become long-term components of public-safety communications, particularly in the 911 arena, public-safety representatives said during a recent webinar. Mel Maier, captain of the emergency communications and operations division of the Oakland County (Mich.
    - PUB DATE: 6/3/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: IWCE'S Urgent Communications
    Read More
  • Former Illinois firefighter completes 80-mile fundraising run to help other first responders with PTSD
    PHOTOS: A day after he ran 80 miles to raise money for colleagues struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, former Woodstock firefighter and paramedic Ryan Mains was sore, tired and thankful. “I don’t know how I can express my gratitude,” he said from his home in Huntley. “The support we got in the months leading up to it and yesterday was so incredible.
    - PUB DATE: 6/3/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chicago Tribune - Metered Site
    Read More
  • Coronavirus May Prove More Dangerous For 9/11 First Responders
    The health effects of COVID-19 pose an extra danger to people with underlying health conditions — like the thousands of workers who sprang into action on September 11, 2001. Michael Barasch is an attorney who represents members of the 9/11 community, including the rescue workers and cleanup crews who spent months in the pile of rubble after the World Trade Center towers collapsed in New York City.
    - PUB DATE: 6/3/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSHU Public Radio
    Read More
  • Firefighters Battle 5-Alarm Commercial Fire Affecting Multiple Buildings In California
    VIDEO: Firefighters are responding to a large multi-structure fire in South Sacramento. According to Sacramento Fire, the incident is at 3400 La Grande Boulevard. The 5 alarm fire has spread to multiple structures including a body shop, mattress factory, and pallet storage facility. The fire chief said firefighters are running into a major issue with water pressure, making the firefight more difficult.
    - PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOVR-TV CBS 13 Sacramento
    Read More
  • Ohio fire department's overtime budget wiped out; plan to brown out fire stations
    The city of Youngstown says it is moving forward with a plan to brown out fire stations after the fire department's overtime budget has been wiped out. Finance Director Kyle Miasek told the city council finance committee Monday night, through the first five months of 2020, $116,000 has been spent on non-holiday overtime.
    - PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFMJ-TV NBC/CW 21 Youngstown
    Read More
  • Florida starts hurricane season already on high alert because of COVID-19
    For the first time in memory, Florida is about to start hurricane season with its emergency operations center already up and running, and already at its highest alert level because of the coronavirus. And the prospect of managing overlapping natural disasters has state and local officials, emergency managers, first responders, hospital executives, utility officials and restaurant and lodging executives in high anxiety mode.
    - PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tallahassee Democrat
    Read More
  • Denver Health Paramedics Go Into Riots Without Hesitation To Treat Injured People
    Four days and nights of protests, some of which turned violent, tested the training, planning, and safety equipment of Denver Health paramedics and EMTs. By Monday, first responders had treated more than 100 people involved in the protests, despite being attacked several times, Denver Health reported.
    - PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KCNC-TV CBS 4 Denver
    Read More
  • 2020's safest states in America
    With every new headline about a mass shooting, terrorist attack, hate crime or natural disaster, many of us fear for our safety and that of our loved ones. In 2020, though, by far the biggest safety concern on Americans’ minds is the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed around 100,000 Americans and infected nearly 1.
    - PUB DATE: 6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Wallet Hub
    Read More