The Sitka Fire Department wants to use federal funding to help address a staff shortage, but it could mean some additional expenses for the city. When the Sitka Assembly met on Tuesday (1-25-22) it approved the department's application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a SAFER grant, or "Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response." If awarded, the grant would cover most of a new fire engineer and EMT job for three years. But city administrator John Leach said the money would come with some strings. "It pays for the salary and benefits, but the important thing to point out is that there is a bit of a commitment on the on the municipality side — standby pay and overtime would not be covered," Leach said. "But the hope would be that with the additional mostly funded position, that overtime costs would come down."  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Celina firefighters managed to contain a large fire before it could spread very far after multiple homes under construction went up in flames on Sunday, January 30. Just after 5:00 p.m., Celina firefighters received a structure fire call from the 2800 block of Field Street in Celina. Two or three homes under construction had caught on fire. The heat became so intense that nearby homes were threatened and that a grass fire was sparked to the north of the Bluewood subdivision just south of the Collin college campus. Jeff Hershberger lives about 50 feet from the homes that caught on fire. He said that in addition to the fire department units who responded, several of his neighbors "whom he had never met before" rushed to help contain the blaze.  

Melissa Hilpert, a 22-year firefighting veteran, has become the first female fire chief in the 75-year history of Rural Metro Fire, a private firefighting company founded and based in Scottsdale. Hilpert assumed her duties of overseeing Rural Metro's fire stations in the Yuma area of southwestern Arizona this month, the Yuma Sun reported. "As a woman, I feel it's important to let other women know that there can only be a barrier to their success if they allow one," Hilpert said. Hilpert began her career with the Rural Metro Fire as a reserve firefighter and EMT in 2000. During her tenure with the company, she has also served as a certified paramedic firefighter, wildland firefighter, crew boss, rescue diver, emergency medical service captain, EMS chief and assistant fire chief. "I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment at being named chief for our Yuma operations," she said.  

Hobart "Hobie" Erickson put in 30 years at a fire department in New Jersey and rose to the level of captain. Then, he and his wife, Lois, retired to the Lakelands. End of story, right? Absolutely not. Erickson kept riding by the Donalds Fire Department, and Lois encouraged him to volunteer. That eventually fueled his internal flame to return to doing what he always loved. Erickson joined the Donalds station and has spent 35 1/2 years there. He's squeezed two full careers into one lifetime. Erickson is the oldest active firefighter in the state, according to officials from the South Carolina Firefighters Association, who came Saturday to present him a certificate. In addition, state Sen. Mike Gambrell presented him a proclamation, and the Town of Donalds and fire chief Ronnie Vaughn also gave Erickson gifts. "He'll expire before he retires," Lois joked during Saturday's 95th birthday party for Erickson at the station.  

A Jacksonville brother and sister duo are using their close relationship to help save lives at UF Health. When Brian Brown is bringing patients into UF Health Jacksonville, he can call his sister for help. "Probably about six months ago, and he was like, Oh, I had a patient that had like, These signs and symptoms, and I'm like, Yeah, that's signs of a stroke. And he's like, you know, I just had that tunnel vision and wasn't thinking that, but I'm glad that you said that. Because whenever he got him to the hospital, it really was a stroke," Andrea Koller. Andrea Koller works as an emergency medicine charge nurse at UF Health Jacksonville. Her brother Brian Brown is a firefighter and paramedic for Baker County. The two Jacksonville natives realized that after years of sister-brother-bonding, their communication is quick and direct, a perfect combination when working in healthcare.  

VIDEO: There is now more optimism that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic may be ending -- and as other nations lift certain Covid-19 restrictions, some public health experts question whether US counties and cities should consider easing their guidance on mask-wearing or social distancing, as well. But others warn not to relax such measures too soon. Denmark has decided to lift all Covid-19 restrictions within the country, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced Wednesday evening, adding that Covid-19 "should no longer be categorized as a socially critical sickness." "Denmark will be completely open from 1 February," Frederiksen said. "Tonight we can start lowering our shoulders and find our smiles again.