VIDEO: Local first responders have a new way of training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) is now using virtual reality training programs. "We can basically do anything that you can do in real life, you can do in virtual reality," said Commander Keith Noble, ATCEMS. With the help from the City of Austin, Augmented Training Systems, and a grant from US Ignite, ATCEMS is now implementing virtual reality training. "I bring the research together with staff members here and in this case, it was EMS. We sit down and we figure out what we need. What is something that's doable by the university researchers and something that's a challenge or would help in this case, our first responders," said Ted Lehr, Data Architect for City's Communication and Technology Management Department.  

A huge plume of smoke billowed over Brooks County Wednesday afternoon as firefighters battled a major brushfire near Encino south of Falfurrias that broke out at the King Ranch. We're told some families had to be evacuated from their homes. According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Coastal Bend are more susceptible to wildfire fires than they normally would be. The fire at King Ranch has already consumed 5,800 acres as of 10 p.m. on Wednesday and it's still burning. Crews on the scene included folks from the Texas Forest Service. Brooks County Sheriff Benny Martinez told 3News everyone is OK, but one residential structure was destroyed. Crews are expected to continue to battle the blaze into Wednesday night and Thursday.  

The cities of Keller and Westlake took one step closer to merging their respective fire departments on March 16 as Keller City Council voted unanimously to begin a 16-month interlocal agreement and feasibility study. Starting April 1, Westlake Fire-EMS Chief Richard Whitten, who has worked in the department for 16 years, will take over the role of interim chief for Keller's Fire-Rescue department. That same day, Keller Fire-Rescue will begin responding to calls in Westlake. "We get a fire chief for no additional dollars, and ...we will send our leadership team [and] battalion chiefs, which Westlake does not have right now," Keller City Manager Mark Hafner said. "They are desirous of having battalion chiefs, so we'll just be working together in giving the citizens even better service and better resources than they have right now."  

The City of Canyon reports new authorization by the City Commission to purchase five new Outdoor Emergency System (EOS) sirens. The move comes after the Canyon EOS sirens were proven to be outdated after they failed to sound during last Saturday's storms, city officials said. The Canyon EOS was tested earlier this year, however, that test failed due to user error, and testing was rescheduled for Friday, March 12. According to the City, that test was postponed because testing is not conducted during cloudy, overcast weather conditions. On Saturday, March 13, city officials said, Canyon Fire Chief Dennis Gwyn went to warn residents of a tornado southeast of Canyon, but he discovered the ongoing issues prevented the activation of the EOS sirens.  

The Houston Fire Department is planning a controlled burn March 22-April 2 at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center at West Loop 610 and Woodway Drive. This measure helps to prevent naturally occurring wildfires by clearing away debris and vegetation that has dried out and become overgrown. Fire and park officials are notifying residents of the burn to help assuage fears about smoke in the area. Drivers are encouraged to reduce speed and use headlights when smoke is present. Signs will be posted to direct parkgoers away from the burn sites, according to HFD. "This proactive approach is the most practical way to reduce dangerous accumulation of combustible fuels and protect our community by reducing the risk of unwanted wildfires in the future," Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said in a news release.  

VIDEO: Multiple units are responding to a fire at the Alamo Metal Recycling off the expressway. Fire crews arriving at the scene were initially responding to reports of cars on fire at the neighboring Rey's Parts & Sales, an auto parts store, and the fire spread to the recycling center. According to Alamo fire Chief Rogelio Contreras, several departments from the cities of McAllen, Weslaco, Donna, San Juan and Mercedes have responded and are working to contain the fire. The cause of the fire is still unknown. Brush trucks and water tankers are being used to fight the fire, Contreras said.  

VIDEO: Crews from the Phoenix Fire Department faced massive flames as they battled a mobile home fire Wednesday night. Video showed flames shooting into the night sky as the home burned near Fourth Street and Broadway Road in south Phoenix. Firefighters got the call just after 7 p.m. Crews arrived at the scene to find the home fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters were forced to take a defensive position and surround the building, hitting the fire with water from the outside. Crews quickly brought the fire under control but the home was a total loss. Fortunately, everyone was able to get out of the home safely, and nobody was hurt. Fire investigators are now trying to figure out how the blaze began. A community response team is assisting the home's two displaced residents.  

VIDEO: Local first responders have a new way of training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) is now using virtual reality training programs. "We can basically do anything that you can do in real life, you can do in virtual reality," said Commander Keith Noble, ATCEMS. With the help from the City of Austin, Augmented Training Systems, and a grant from US Ignite, ATCEMS is now implementing virtual reality training. "I bring the research together with staff members here and in this case, it was EMS. We sit down and we figure out what we need. What is something that's doable by the university researchers and something that's a challenge or would help in this case, our first responders," said Ted Lehr, Data Architect for City's Communication and Technology Management Department.  

VIDEO: Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue's Station 2 and Station 12 each house some of the departments' most unique and largest trucks, which also provide special rescue and firefighting capabilities. Station 2, located on Paul W. Bryant Drive, has been home to the fire department's first and only Tractor Drawn Aerial apparatus, also known as a tiller truck, since 2017. The truck, Truck 32, was purchased for $1 million and was dedicated in memory of former Tuscaloosa fire chief Bob Delbridge, according to previous reports. The vehicle is 58 feet in length and uses two drivers to operate the front, the tractor driver, and the rear, the tiller operator. It is equipped with a 107-foot, steel-frame ladder and other rescue tools and equipment, such as road rescue equipment, extrication equipment and other ground ladders.  

VIDEO: Even though a devastating house fire took their home and belongings on Tuesday night, the Moniz family is praising God. On Wednesday, professional surfer Kelia Moniz posted to Instagram that her parents' home in Hawaii had burned down overnight, incinerating everything inside. "My parents house, my childhood home went up into flames. Very crazy you have quickly things can change," she wrote alongside a carousel of photos showing the house's charred foundation and her parents, Tony and Tammy Moniz. Moniz shared that under normal circumstances, the entire family, which includes five siblings and four grandchildren, would have been gathered inside during the time the fire started. "So last nights scenario could have had a much different outcome," she wrote. "Today we remember a house full of love, and so many (memories) thanking God we have my mom and dad here with us."  

VIDEO: Even with the race to vaccinate as many Americans as possible accelerating, some experts are warning that if Americans do not also follow proper safety and mitigation measures, the U.S. could see a COVID-19 resurgence. Although the country's national daily case average continues to fall -- about 32.5% over the last month -- nearly a third of all states have seen their average number of cases rise at least 10%. Those 15 states are: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon and West Virginia, according to an ABC News analysis of state data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Several states -- Delaware, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon and West Virginia -- have seen their case averages increase by at least 25% in the last week.