The International Association of Fire Fighters requested governors include them on the highest priority tier in states like Illinois' COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. The union representing 322,000 professional fire fighters and emergency medical personnel, sent a letter to the National Governors Association on Thursday, making the request. More than 30,000 professional fire fighters have had known exposures to COVID-19 in the course of duty, requiring more than 17,000 to quarantine or isolate. Nearly 150 professional fire fighters have been hospitalized upon contracting the virus, and at least 19 have died, according to the union. "The virus not only places the lives and health of responders at risk, it also poses a risk to the larger community as well as to fire fighters responding to emergencies in homes, businesses and elsewhere before they may be aware of an infection," the IAFF said.  

A vehicle drove off the road and lost control early Monday morning and landed in one of the retention ponds near the Gateway Commerce Center. Madison County officers, Pontoon Beach Police officers, and Mitchell firefighters responded along with Edwardsville Fire Department firefighters. Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said by the time his group arrived a tow truck and those on scene had pulled the vehicle out and there was a driver in the car who didn't survive. Whiteford said his group did enter the water and collected some debris to assist with the investigation. Those on scene showed great courage the chief said entering the water to rescue the person with water temps close to 47 degrees and without a cold water suit. The accident was witnessed and in the initial call, it was confirmed someone was trapped inside the vehicle. No other details were yet available about the crash.  

At least two people were taken to the hospital Monday afternoon, after firefighters responded to a fire in the Old Town neighborhood. Fire Department officials said one woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition, and a second victim was taken to Northwestern in critical condition, after a fire near North and Cleveland avenues. The second victim's gender was not immediately available. According to the Fire Department, there were reports of people jumping from windows to escape the fire, but it was unclear if the two people who were hospitalized had jumped.  

Decatur Firefighters Local 505 donated new coats for WAND's Coats for Kids Drive. Union members dropped the coats off at WAND on Monday morning. Local 505 President Todd Cox said firefighters see a need in the community, and when the time comes, they are always willing to step up and help. Cox added because of the pandemic, many families may be falling on hard times, so now is a chance for people to step up and help those who need it the most. "Any help that can be given by anyone that's able to give is a necessity right now," Cox said. "It's a wonderful thing to be able to see how much of a difference it can make in someone's life."  

This year the New Lenox Fire Protection District will once again be participating in Keep the Wreath Red which is a statewide initiative to practice fire safety during the holidays. Each of the New Lenox Fire Protection District's (NLFPD) four fire stations will have a large wreath on the front of them with all red lights. If NLFPD responds to a residential fire in the district, a white light bulb will replace a red one. "The red wreaths serve as a reminder for all New Lenox residents to be safe when decorating this holiday season," stated Dan Turner, NLFPD Deputy Fire Chief. The wreaths are part of the "Keep the Wreath Red" fire safety campaign, that reminds everyone to practice fire safety during the holiday season. The wreaths will be on each of New Lenox's fire stations from Friday, November 27th through Sunday, January 3rd.  

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) penned a letter to the nation's governors requesting firefighters and emergency medical personnel on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19 be among those given priority access to a vaccine once it is available. According to the IAFF, over 30,000 firefighters have been exposed to COVID-19 in the line of duty. At least 19 have died. The IAFF maintains that "adequately vaccinating firefighters and emergency medical responders will… allow such personnel to continue serving their communities during this medical crisis," as "the virus not only places the lives and health of responders at risk, it also poses a risk to the larger community as well." Failing to include firefighters and emergency medical personnel in the group that receives priority vaccines would "[impose] significant costs on local governments as they backfill positions or operate understaffed, increasing response times and negatively impacting public safety."  

PHOTO: Oshkosh Airport Products, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation Company, announced on Nov. 20 that the company delivered three Striker 8x8 ARFF vehicles to the San Francisco International Airport in California. The department's new Striker 8x8 vehicles were delivered in late September and early October. "San Francisco Fire Department's Airport Division is trained to the highest standards, and we're proud to provide these remarkable first responders with apparatus that allows them to perform at an exceptional level," said Erik Lampe, vice president and general manager of Oshkosh Airport Products. "Our team is honored to work in collaboration with the Airport Division, and we remain dedicated to providing exemplary service and partnership to support their needs into the future."  

COVID-19 is running unabated across almost every American community, and one model projects it will take the country just under two months to reach a staggering 20 million cases. The US could nearly double its current numbers -- about 12.4 million reported infections -- by January 20, according to the Washington University in St. Louis forecasting model. The prediction comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations nationwide are exploding, with more than 3.1 million infections reported in the US since the start of November -- the most reported in a single month ever. Hospitalizations are at harrowing highs, with more than 85,800 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the US, another record set for the 14th day in a row, according to the COVID Tracking Project. In California, hospitalizations climbed by 77% over the past 2 weeks, while ICU admissions were up 55%.  

Violence against first responders has increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, according to D.C.'s acting chief of DC Fire & EMS (FEMS), John Donnelly, who said he's still trying to come to grips with an incident Sunday where a firefighter/EMT was injured in a shooting. The shooting came just as D.C. FEMS is preparing to issue a new directive making it clear that firefighters/EMTs should not go into certain situations without police to secure the scene first. "We go out and help people, and we don't expect to be shot at," Chief Donnelly said Monday. "We expect to at least be welcome to help people. When you're shot at, that changes the dynamics a little bit. But our people are going to continue to go help people. They are service-oriented, that's what they do." Sunday's shooting happened as DC FEMS and police were tending to a shooting victim at a 7-Eleven on South Capitol Street and MLK Boulevard SE. While on the scene, gunfire broke out again.  

It has been a tragic year for gun violence in Milwaukee County. Local leaders are looking for answers. On Monday, Nov. 23, they announced one plan: free gun locks. Fire Chief Aaron Lipski demonstrated one of the gun locks that his firefighters will hand out free to anyone at Milwaukee fire stations, no questions asked. The cable, when properly used, prevents the gun from firing. This is a partnership between the fire department, the city Office of Violence Prevention, and the County Division of Behavioral Health. The goal is to prevent accidental injuries or deaths in the home to stop the use of guns for suicides. "For youths, the risk of dying by suicide is four to ten times higher in homes with guns," Milwaukee Co. Division of Behavioral Health Nzinga Khalid said. "At BHD we are committed to prevention. By distributing gun locks, we hope to prevent these tragedies." Not only will the gun locks be available at firehouses, but fire crews can pass them out at emergency scenes as well.