VIDEO: Community members in Sterling, Illinois lined the streets Thursday as the funeral procession for Captain Garrett Ramos made its way to the central Sterling fire house. Among those in the crowd was 17-year-old Tristen Smith. He showed up hours before the procession made its way down Locust Street. "I knew the funeral started at 10 a.m. and I didn't know how long it was going to take so I wanted to be here by the time it happened," Smith said. He's paying his respects to the fallen firefighter he says he was lucky to have crossed paths with more than once. It was Captain Ramos that was on duty when a crew was dispatched to Smith's home. "It was a medical emergency and he had been really caring and compassionate and he helped out a lot," Smith said. It's not his only run in with the the Captain. Smith also swinging by the firehouse before, receiving some help from Ramos.  

Rhianna Mengel is best friends with Brittney Ramos, the wife of Sterling firefighter Garrett Ramos, who lost his life after battling a Friday night fire in rural Rock Falls. In just one day, the GoFundMe account Mengel established for the Ramos family already raised $7.020 as of Thursday afternoon. "Garrett was an incredible husband and father who brought my friend endless joy and gave her the two most precious gifts possible, their beautiful daughters, Ruthie and Kepa," Mengel wrote on the GoFundMe she created for Ramos' wife, Brittney. "I am hoping, during this holiday season, that friends, family, acquaintances, and anyone touched by this devastating news may come together to support this young family, whether it's to donate $1, share this to your friends, or even a prayer of healing."  

The Chicago Fire Department put on an eye-opening demonstration Thursday to show the potential dangers of holiday decorations. Firefighters placed a festive living room scene outside, placed a candle too close to a live Christmas tree, and within moments flames began to spread. A couple of minutes later, the tree that hadn't been watered in 2 weeks got torched. "You see once it got underneath that tree and hit that kindling of that dry tree, it really took off," said Walter Schroeder, Chicago Fire Department District Chief. At the Quinn Fire Academy, CFD showed just how quickly a Christmas tree can burn in your home. Almost a third of fires they see this time of year are caused by holiday decorations. Big culprits include dry trees, especially when too close to a space heater or fireplace.  

The Rockford Fire Department was called to the 800 block of Houghton Street Thursday morning to extinguish a house fire. Officials said the fire team arrived within 4 minutes of receiving the call and found smoke coming from the house. All occupants were able to escape unharmed. The fire itself, described as a small basement fire, was put out within five minutes, officials said. The cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time, but damages to the property were estimated at $10,000.  

After an Illinois appellate court denied the city's rehearing petition, Mattoon City Council officials have confirmed they are bringing back the Mattoon Fire Department's ambulance service after it was terminated in 2018. During the council's meeting on Tuesday, resident Alex Watson addressed members of the council and asked what their next steps were for reinstating the city's ambulance service. "We clearly are going to bring the ambulance service back as it was before, but there are other things to discuss," said Mayor Rick Hall. "It is not going to happen overnight." Hall said the city still has to discuss a contract with the Mattoon Firefighters Association Local 691 union and they hope to work together on other facets of the service while maintenance is done on the ambulances.  

A firefighter was rescued after falling through the floor as crews battled a massive house fire in Hudson, New Hampshire Thursday afternoon. SkyEye footage showed heavy smoke and flames engulfing the home on Greeley Street. The firefighter was brought to a hospital along with another firefighter who suffered smoke inhalation. Both were treated for minor injuries and released Thursday night. "We had heavy fire throughout the building," Hudson Fire Chief Robert Buxton said. "Crews mounted an aggressive attack, unfortunately we did have a mayday on the scene." Buxton said the firefighter was holding onto a hose when he fell through, so crews were able to trace where he was. "He fell through the floor, he was holding onto it, and his crew gave him a hand back out of the hole," Buxton said.  

PHOTOS: Birmingham Fire Chief Paul Wells has been boasting that most of the department's firefighters have some of the latest and greatest thermal imaging cameras built into their masks. He signed up for the city's firefighting duties about 25 years ago and was introduced to thermal-imaging cameras soon after. He remembers the equipment being much larger and more cumbersome. And it added to the approximately 60 pounds each firefighter hefted because of their gear, boots and helmet and, once they started sweating and dousing the flames, up to 20 additional pounds of water. With thermal-imaging cameras attached directly to masks, the firefighter's load is lighter and they more easily can detect victims and trouble spots. A lens on the side of the masks picks up the wearer's surroundings.  

It was 100 years ago that the McLean Volunteer Fire Department was first incorporated. Many things have changed since then, from development and population growth to fire and rescue technology and the involvement of career firefighters. But what hasn't wavered is the volunteer fire department's commitment to serve McLean and surrounding areas. The McLean Volunteer Fire Department is celebrating its centennial in 2021. The anniversary refers to its incorporation in 1921. The McLean fire station is known as Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Station 1 because it was the first in the county. Since then, it has been home to other firsts in the county: first county station to have a career firefighter, first with a female firefighter and first with an African American fire chief.  

VIDEO: On Thursday evening, large plumes of smoke could be seen around Tampa International Airport. Tampa Fire Rescue Airport Rescue Fire Fighting division (ARFF) hosted a training exercise so firefighters can respond to emergencies at the airport like a plane catching on fire. Emergencies do not happen often, but the training is necessary. Firefighters trained using a metal frame with wings on it which simulates an aircraft emergency. Firefighters battled flames produced by burning jet fuel. "It's a requirement per the FAA to be able to respond out to an airport/airfield incident. For example, possibly a crash or an engine fire, wheels on fire, things like that," said Chief Oren Hanson, Airport Fire Chief at Tampa International Airport.  

It's the holiday season, which means many people are in a giving mood. People give money, and people give gifts. What about someone who gave a part of their own body to someone they've never even met? Cicero firefighter Paul Coir and Perry Galloro are best friends and have been since they first met working as truck drivers back in 1999. "His personality is kind of unique," says Coir. "He has kind of a warped sense of humor and my wife will tell you, we're like two peas in a pod." That's why when Coir found out that Galloro needed a kidney, he didn't even blink. Unfortunately, they weren't a match, but there was still a way he could still help his friend while helping someone else. They discovered the National Kidney Foundation's paired exchange program. If Coir donated his kidney to someone else, they could ensure a kidney for his friend.