A group of Laredo firefighters went through some great lengths to take part in life-saving training. This morning, roughly 20 firefighters from the Laredo Fire Department's Rescue Station gathered at the Sames Auto Arena for a high-angle rescue training. Firefighters strapped on a harness and hung on to the rope as they scaled down from the upper level of the arena to the floor. This training method is used in situations such as trench cave-ins, structural collapses, or when someone is at the bottom of a well. Ricardo Oliva Jr. tells us even though it's not a common method used in our area, it's something that could make all the difference when a situation calls for it. "You know situations like these are very common in the riverbank area, usually when people are running at night and t fall into a dried-up creek or a cliff. Those are the kinds of situations in which this kind of rescue would come real handy as far as the guys being very competent and being able to do what they are trained to do," he said.  

VIDEO: The head of the Houston Fire Department is urging all eligible firefighters to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Fire Chief Samuel Peña sent that message to his followers on Twitter over the weekend, and at the same time, well wishes to one of his firefighters who is waiting for a lifesaving transplant after getting infected with the virus. Chief Peña said his department has already seen the deadly consequences of COVID-19. "I've been doing this job for 27 years and I have never buried a firefighter, line of duty death, for the flu," Chief Peña said. Since the start of the pandemic, the Houston Fire Department has had to bury four firefighters because of the virus. Chief Peña said it's heartbreaking since the COVID-19 vaccine is available and can help prevent people from getting really sick.  

The sirens, which sounded in the community of Hahnville, Louisiana Monday signaled the end of a long deployment as members of a central Texas storm recovery strike team loaded up their trucks and started the long drive back home. Mid-morning, on I-10 when the westbound caravan made a stop strike team leader Chief Donnie Norman explained the mixed emotions about the homecoming. "It's bittersweet…you know, obviously, we feel good about the work we've done. We've missed our families. We feel bad about leaving our brothers and sisters in Louisiana. There's still a lot of work to be done in Louisiana, a lot of devastation down here," said Norman, chief of Travis County ESD1. Chief Norman's strike team includes firefighters from Travis County ESD1, Round Rock, Kyle, Austin and Bexar County.  

A Bryan woman is facing multiple charges following a series of events in a drunk driving-related crash last week, according to a probable cause statement filed by police. Officers were first notified Thursday afternoon of a woman driving a Chevrolet Malibu erratically on Villa Maria Road. A short time later, it was reported to police that a Chevrolet Malibu had rear-ended at 2016 Lexis R350 in the parking lot of a restaurant in the 3800 block of Texas Avenue near Enfield Street. Upon arrival, police said several firefighters from the Bryan Fire Departments and College Station Fire Department were restraining a woman matching the description of the possible intoxicated driver, later identified as Angela Denise Grimes, 53, of Bryan.  

PHOTOS: After multiple attempts, Spring firefighters were able to rescue an adorable kitten that found itself trapped in a sewage pipe. Spring Fire Department tweeted Monday night about the rescue near the intersection of Spring Heights Drive and Spring Crossing Drive. "The third time was definitely the charm as the crew of Spring Fire Engine 78 rescued a kitty out of the sewer system near the intersection of Spring Heights Drive and Spring Crossing Drive. H/T to Captain David Paige." The department also shared photos from the ordeal, including pictures of the firefighters entering and exiting manhole they used to reach the cat. It wasn't explained how the kitten ended up in the sewage system — or how firefighters were notified about it — but the kitten appears to be doing fine.  

On Monday afternoon, at 3:30 p.m., Emergency Responders answered a call of a house fire at 31 Bay Way in the Bay Harbor section of Brick. Upon arrival a heavy smoke and fire condition was observed. Strong winds helped to spread the fire quickly. The resident of 31 Bay Way, who was home at the time, was uninjured, but the home was completely destroyed. The wind driven fire caused extensive damage to the upper portion of the house next door at 29 Bay Way. In addition spot fires on at least one area property were extinguished. The only injury was that of one of the firefighters who suffered a minor burn that was treated by EMS on the scene. The fire quickly reached a third alarm bringing Brick Township fire companies, Pioneer Hose, Breton Woods, Laurelton, and Herbertsville.  

VIDEO: Portland firefighters will soon add bulletproof vests to their arsenal of firefighting gear. Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) confirmed the city will order 200 vests in the near future. "First responders, as they go in, we can become targets," said Alan Ferschweiler, president of the Portland Firefighters Association. He said concern over criminal attacks among union members has increased in recent years. "Even if you look at the totality of the city, it's definitely become a less safe place to work for their firefighters," said Ferschweiler. "There's no way to mince any words." Last week, the union and management agreed that every Portland firefighter should get a ballistic vest—something designed to withstand a knife attack or bullet. "Our Chief [Sara Boone] cares about our members and she does not want, on her watch, something like that to happen," said Portland Fire & Rescue PIO, Terry Foster.  

The Starkville Fire Department is looking to add a language requirement for some of their employees. The Starkville Fire Department responded to a construction accident last Friday and was immediately on the scene. But despite their skill and teamwork, the department realized they had a communication challenge. Since the incident, Starkville's Fire Chief said he has recognized the need for a Spanish speaker on staff and is working on bridging that gap. "Us communicating as a whole with him and seeing work calmed them down," Starkville Police Officer Diego Soto said. Last Friday afternoon, Starkville Fire and Starkville Police responded to a construction accident where one man was trapped under a lift. However, Fire Chief Charles Yarbrough said the equipment injuries weren't the only thing his people were having trouble with.  

The City of Chicago is installing hundreds of kits in city buildings to treat bleeding gunshot victims under a new program officials say could help save lives in an emergency. Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications announced earlier this month that the city has begun installing 426 wall mounted "Bleeding Control Kits" in 269 buildings across the city. Those buildings include City Hall, Chicago Public Library locations, the Chicago Cultural Center, medical clinics, senior centers and more. OEMC said the kits are being installed under a new program called "Safe Chicago" in partnership with the Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Police Department and the city's Assets and Information Services. "It's just another layer of security and protection," OEMC's Executive Director Rich Guidice said.  

In June 2021, a massive fire tore through a Phoenix recycling company. Hundreds of firefighters had to be called in to help fight the blaze, and it generated the largest response in Phoenix Fire Department's history. The massive blaze at Friedman Recycling saw wood, tires, and other raw materials burn, sending a huge plume of smoke into the sky. It led to a major change in how the city brings businesses like these into compliance. In the past few months, Phoenix Fire inspectors have spent the past few months inspecting hundreds of some of the most high-risk recycling businesses in the Valley. Their goal is to not only educate the businesses on what they're doing wrong, but also how to make it right. "It's been a little crazy. We had our work cut out for us," said Phoenix Fire Inspector Lisa Lerma. Lerma is one of only six Phoenix Fire inspectors.