An attempt to reverse the planned budget-related cuts of two Peoria Fire Department engines fell short Tuesday night, after the City Council unanimously agreed to issue $4 million in working cash bonds to keep the Peoria Civic Center afloat. "We shouldn't hinder ourselves even farther," at-large council member Sid Ruckriegel said of the current fiscal year budget during an often contentious five-hour meeting. "We need to close 2020 out, as sad as it is to say, and start focusing on 2021." District 2 council member Chuck Grayeb proposed increasing the city's borrowing to $15 million as a way to save fire department engines 4 and 20, and 22 associated positions. "I think we have to realize that the lives of our firefighters and our people are at stake," said Grayeb. "Now some of you genuinely do not believe that."  

PHOTO: Police and firefighter/paramedics from Arlington Heights responded about 8:43 p.m Tuesday, September 22, 2020 to a report of a crash with injuries at Northwest Highway and Wilke Road in Arlington Heights. Police and firefighters arrived to discover one patient ejected from the vehicle. Arlington Heights firefighters/paramedics transported one male patient to Level 1 Trauma Center Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge with life threatening injuries. The driver's car was found flipped upside down and split in half after it hit a utility pole in front of Jimmy D's at the northeast corner of Northwest Highway and Wilke Road. The upper 1/3 of the utility pole snapped off and came down onto the sidewalk in front of Jimmy D's. Restaurant customers were on the other side of the building at an outdoor dining area. several witnesses reported what they saw the police.  

Ongoing staffing shortages at the York County 911 Center have caused the center's director to reduce the frequency and kinds of nonemergency services that dispatchers have been providing to police, fire and EMS agencies. The York Dispatch has obtained a copy of a two-page letter dated Sept. 18 that was sent to all York County police chiefs, fire chiefs and EMS officials by 911 Director Matthew Hobson. "As you are aware, York County 911 is under considerable strain with regard to the limited number of staff that are available," he wrote. "(I)t has become necessary for the 911 center to reduce the demands placed on the current staff by reducing the volume of non-emergency communications it has traditionally provided to public safety agencies." The goal, Hobson wrote, is to "reduce the frequency and amount of time that our staff spends on the phone or doing tasks other than answering 911 calls and dispatching the appropriate agencies."  

Yesterday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to provide critical resources to local fire and EMS personnel. The Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act (H.R. 1646) will develop peer mental health training programs and resources to educate mental health professionals about active and retired firefighters' needs. The bill will also create a national data system to collect information about first responder suicides to better treat those in need of assistance. The bill was sponsored by Representative Ami Bera (D-California) and cosponsored by 89 House members. "I thank the House for addressing this important issue for America's first responders," said Chief Richard Carrizzo, the President and Chairman of the Board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.  

The Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) proudly announces a new fire safety awareness campaign highlighted by new public service announcements (PSAs) starring country music artist Tracy Lawrence. These PSAs are designed to educate Tennesseans and help reduce fire fatalities across Tennessee. Lawrence, who has notched eight No. 1 hits and released 14 albums across his platinum-selling recording career, donated his time to team up with the SFMO and the Mt. Juliet Fire Department in order to improve home fire safety awareness among Tennessee residents. The PSAs were written, produced and edited by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) staff. "I have the highest admiration for firefighters and first responders everywhere, especially in Tennessee where the majority of our firefighters are volunteers," said Lawrence. "These brave men and women willingly put their lives on the line every day for their neighbors with little consideration for themselves and their own safety. It is my sincere hope that these videos might reduce the risk of fire to homeowners and firefighters by helping save Tennesseans' lives from a home fire."  

VIDEO: A tractor that backfired Tuesday afternoon in Maryland Line may be to blame for a large barn fire, according to the Baltimore County Fire Department. Chopper 13 was over the scene of the fire along the 3500 block of Baker School House Road. "We looked up and it was big billowing smoke, and I said, ‘Oh my God. I hope it's not my home,'" neighbor Anthony Atkins told WJZ. When Baltimore County Fire Department crews arrived on the scene, they found the barn engulfed in flames. According to the Baltimore County Fire Department, the owner went to start his tractor and it backfired. Sparks hit the hay which caused the fire. "After mowing the lawn he tried to put the tractor back in the barn. The tractor backfired and caught a bale of hay on fire and the fire rapidly grew out of control," Nicholas Tyson, a Baltimore County Fire Department Spokesperson, said.  

Ogdensburg City Hall and public safety officials say a new fire dispatch policy won't endanger the public. Firefighters beg to differ. It's just a line. On one side is Ogdensburg fire territory and on the other is Heuvelton's. It runs near the intersection of Routes 68 and 37. Until this week, Ogdensburg firefighters never hesitated to cross over the line when needed. Public safety officials say that's still the case. "Everybody will respond to every incident just like they normally have and ask for help from the neighboring department just like they always have in the past," said Matthew Denner, St. Lawrence County director of emergency services. But that's not what a veteran Ogdensburg fire captain said on Facebook Monday. Gerald Mack's post read in part, "Unfortunately we have been ordered to delay response which in the past has proven to make a difference."