VIDEO: The Anchorage Assembly called for action from the municipality and state at Tuesday night's regular assembly meeting in response to the record-breaking number of pedestrian deaths already seen within Anchorage this year. Pedestrian fatalities in Anchorage are at a high of 13 so far this year, which is tied with the number of pedestrian fatalities in the state outside of Anchorage. Six of the pedestrian fatalities in Anchorage occurred in September alone. The resolution passed unanimously by the Anchorage Assembly calls for lower speed limits, changes in traffic design and designating October as "Pedestrian Safety Month." Assembly Vice Chair Meg Zaletel expressed frustration with how little she sees the issue being discussed in the city. "I'm really angry about that because any death in our community is a death in our community," Zaletel said.  

PHOTOS: A two-alarm fire broke out at the construction site of Joann Leleck Elementary School at Broad Acres, located on Beacon Road near Northampton Drive, late Tuesday evening, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services officials. Firefighters responded to the scene, finding smoke billowing from the building under construction. "Fire was venting from the roof, and exterior operations were initiated," said Pete Piringer, Public Information Officer for Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services. Due to the difficult access to the building, aerial tower operations were employed to contain the flames. Units from multiple Montgomery and Prince George's County stations responded to the fire. There are no reports of injuries so far, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.  

Rob Rezende was heading home from a hazmat conference in Sacramento when people started texting him about a lithium-ion battery fire in Escondido. Before his plane took off, he watched drone footage on his phone showing smoke and flames erupting from a container at the SDG&E energy storage facility on Sept. 5. This was the second battery storage facility fire in San Diego County since Rezende became the region's alternative energy emergency response coordinator in April. It is a role carved out especially for him as fires involving lithium-ion batteries grow more common, locally and elsewhere. Rezende, a battalion chief with San Diego Fire-Rescue and a 17-year department veteran, is a nationally recognized expert in lithium-ion battery fires. In his new role, other agencies like Escondido can call on him to look at their fire response.  

The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) announced the launch of its Authorized Education Network (AEN), a global initiative designed to meet the increasing demand for high-quality safety training. Through the AEN, NFPA-approved instructors will deliver NFPA training courses via a network of authorized training providers, offering unparalleled access to the expertise that professionals worldwide rely on to address evolving safety challenges. "With the NFPA Authorized Education Network, we're taking a major step forward in expanding access to the world-class training that NFPA is known for," said NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley. "This initiative helps meet the huge global demand for authentic NFPA instructor-led training, ensuring that safety professionals everywhere have the knowledge, information, and skills they need to protect lives and property."