From now until the end of September, you can take part in the Anchorage Fire Department's ‘Fill the Boot' program. "This year is different because of COVID-19 and concerns about cross-contamination and public health, we are doing it a little differently," said Dein Bruce, Fill the Boot Coordinator. So far, AFD has raised over $7,000 with a goal this year of $125,000. "Anchorage was in the top 20 the year before (2018) and the top 10 (in 2019) nationwide fire departments to donate to MDA. And that's all due to the fact that the people of Anchorage are extremely generous and we run a great program....and it wouldn't be possible without this community." Bruce said in 2019, AFD raised $127,000 in three hours. "And that is uncommon nationwide," said Bruce. According to a release sent in by Bruce, "For 66 years, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has collected critical funds in the community – one dollar at a time – as part of the Fill the Boot program."  

VIDEO: The driver of a big rig was seriously hurt in a Tuesday morning crash involving three fire trucks that shut down a portion of Interstate 85 in Rowan County for hours. The crash happened shortly before 5 a.m. in the southbound lanes near mile marker 82, north of Long Ferry Road and near the Yadkin River. Officials said three fire engines from the Millers Ferry Fire Department were in the process of clearing from another call on the interstate when the tractor-trailer crashed into them. Officials said the 18-wheeler collided with one fire truck and sent it careening into the other two. No firefighters were hurt in the crash. The driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, authorities told Channel 9. Witnesses said the tractor-trailer immediately caught fire after the impact, as did one of the fire trucks. The firefighters on the scene were able to quickly pull the driver from the cab of the big rig before it went up in flames.  

North Metro firefighter Matt Chan was crowned champion during Monday night's season finale of "The Titans Games" on NBC. Chan and Dani Speegle each took home the title after competing among a field of elite athletes in a series of intense athletic competitions. Along with the title, Chan and Speegle are each taking home a $100,000 cash prize. Show host Dwayne Johnson had some kind words for the Titan Games winners. "Matt and Dani have showcased exactly what it takes to become a Titan through their hard work, mental toughness and being the hardest workers in the room," Dwayne Johnson said. "They have overcome incredible obstacles to make it here today, and their stories have inspired millions across the country during these challenging times. I'm very proud of our athletes and grateful to our audience for making this an incredible season."  

VIDEO: The images shot from above Rachael Ray's Lake Luzerne home offer some perspective of the damage. Most of it, according the county fire coordinator, was contained to the second floor of the two-story, 12-year-old home. "The kitchen wasn't touched at all, so pretty much the whole first floor is in good shape," said Warren County Fire Coordinator Brian LaFlure. Judging from the first images of the fire, Ray and her family were fortunate. It was reported Sunday at about 7:30 p.m. A neighbor alerted Ray and her family and called 911. Because the home is on a private road in the middle of the woods, well off Route 9-N, with no hydrants nearby, the fire chief called in mutual aid from Warren and Saratoga counties right away. Chief Ted Backus of the Luzerne-Hadley Volunteer Fire Company is glad he did. "When we arrived we had flames through the roof," said Backus, "and I just started calling for mutual aid departments and everybody came as quickly as they could."  

Nearly 600 children in the United States have been diagnosed with a medical syndrome linked to COVID-19 and 10 of those children have died as a result, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC released updated information Friday as it continues to track the prevalence and effects of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children, known as MIS-C. The agency received 570 reported cases of MIS-C between March 2 and July 29 — up more than 200 from the 342 cases reported on July 15. At least 40 states, New York City and the District of Columbia have one or more reported cases of the syndrome, according to the CDC. In New York, 245 cases of MIS-C have been reported, state officials said Sunday. That's only up by about 100 cases since mid-May.  

Chief G. Edward Bradley is pleased to announce that the Plymouth Fire Department assisted local and state agencies to provide an escort for the renovated Mayflower II ship into Plymouth Harbor on Monday, Aug. 10. The ship, which is a replica of the original Mayflower that brought the Pilgrims to America 400 years ago this year, docked at Pilgrim Memorial State Park following a month-long journey up the coast from Connecticut. The ship had been receiving more than $11 million worth of renovations at the Mystic Seaport. Once complete, the ship sailed up the coast and docked at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay on Saturday. Monday marked the final leg of the ship's journey. Plymouth Fire Department's fire boat joined in the escort alongside units from the Plymouth Police Department, Plymouth Harbormaster, Massachusetts State Police Marine Unit and Massachusetts Environmental Police.