The El Paso Fire Department tweeted that the firefighter struck by a vehicle on Wednesday morning is in stable condition and will be moved to ICU at University Medical Center. A firefighter was seriously injured Wednesday morning after being struck by a vehicle while at an accident scene on Trans Mountain Road in West El Paso, officials said. The firefighter, whose name has not been released, was at the scene of a car accident before 7 a.m. on Trans Mountain Road East near Paseo de Norte and Tom Mays streets, El Paso Police Department officials said. A vehicle then struck the firefighter. The firefighter was taken to University Medical Center of El Paso with serious injuries. The highway is closed to traffic on Trans Mountain Road West near Paseo de Norte and Trans Mountain East near Tom Mays, officials said.  

One person is dead after a gas leak potentially sparked a house fire on the Northeast Side early Wednesday morning. When San Antonio Fire arrived at the 14800 block of Briarmeadow Street just before 6 a.m., the residence was fully engulfed in flame, said SAFD spokesman Woody Woodward. Crews attempted to go into the house, but had to retreat and quickly go into defensive mode, Woodward said. Neighbors said the house was technically vacant, but that the homeowner's daughter often stayed there, he added. When crews were finally able to enter the house they found a body inside, though officials aren't able to confirm whether it is the woman. Reports do indicate that she should have been staying in the house last night. "When they found the body, the firefighters said it appeared she had been trying to get out of the house," Woodward said.  

The Lubbock Fire Department has provided a positive update from the family of the Lubbock firefighter who was injured in January while responding to a crash on Interstate 27. Matt has been doing well since the move to the long term facility. He is usually most "active" in the mornings right now. He has started being able to nod yes and no to some questions during that time. Although he is "awake" during that time, it is not a super conscious awake state. He will not remember any of this. All of Matt's surgeries are healing well. His surgeries included: Rods to correct the right fractured tibfib and left femur (these are there permanent); a plate for his shattered right wrist (this will come out eventually); and his face is currently wired down at his jaw in his mouth to let those fractures heal (we will switch to rubber bands at some point and then it will all be removed).  

PHOTOS: There's a good chance you spent some time tied up in traffic on IH-35 north this morning. There was a bad crash involving an 18 wheeler near FM 1103 at around 3 A.M. which created some real headaches for drivers. and first responders with the Schertz Fire and Rescue. A ladder truck that was being used to keep traffic away from first responders was struck by another 18 wheeler. The driver of the second big rig didn't move over and struck the front of the fire truck causing significant damage to the apparatus. Schertz Fire and Rescue says thankfully nobody was hurt and are using the incident as an example of how dangerous it can be for first responders when they are on the highways.  

The fire reported at the former Mirando City High School has been ruled an arson, according to Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar. Cuellar said his office is investigating a group of juveniles suspected of causing the fire. The sheriff could not comment further because of the open case. Webb County Volunteer fire department crews responded to the blaze on Sunday afternoon. Nobody was harmed. The building has been abandoned for decades. St. Agnes Mission in Mirando City posted a video on Facebook of the former school on fire around 3 p.m. Sunday. "Our Beloved High School is in flames at this moment. Long live the panthers!" the church wrote.  

VIDEOS: A massive blaze at a two-story apartment complex sent plumes of smoke into the sky as more than 100 firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames early Wednesday morning. The Orange County Fire Authority and Tustin police responded to the intersection of Williams Street and McFadden Avenue at approximately 3 a.m. as crews encountered heavy fire coming from both floors. Firefighters went into defensive mode as a roof collapsed approximately 45 minutes after the fire erupted. At about 5 a.m., firefighters appeared to make progress on the 5-alarm blaze. At least 100 residents were displaced and two civilians suffered apparent smoke inhalation injuries considered minor. Fire officials are still in the process of confirming if everyone in the building has been accounted for. As many as 120 firefighters were at the scene as the fire rapidly grew in size, possibly affecting up to 100 apartments. No police officers or firefighters were hurt in the incident.  

The town should close the Foreside fire station and hire more full-time firefighters to better meet the increasing number of calls for emergency aid, a consultant told the council Monday. Travis Miller, of consulting firm Criterion and Associates in Massachusetts, made the recommendations after reviewing staffing, the number of calls the Fire Department gets annually and where those calls are coming from. In addition to closing the Foreside station, Miller said, the Fire Department should immediately have at least five people on duty at Central Station 24/7. Under that model, two would serve the ambulance and three would serve the fire engine, he said. Ideally, Miller added, there should also be at least two paramedics on duty at the Winn Road station at all times, as well. That station is now manned by live-in fire students, but they're not always available to respond to calls.  

President Donald Trump has released his budget recommendations for fiscal year 2021, including a proposed increase in funds for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and decrease in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate fire & Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) allocations. AFG and SAFER received a combined total of $355 million in fiscal year 2020, which the President's Budget Request (PBR) recommended lowering to $344.4 million, according to the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI). The USFA, which received $46.8 million in fiscal year 2020, would receive $49.7 million under the PBR recommendations. Allocations for Urban Search and Rescue should remain at $37.832 million, according to the PBR.  

The City of Winston-Salem just launched a new social media video campaign with the city fire department, highlighting the people inside of the bright red engines and what they really do. When most people think of Winston-Salem firefighters, they imagine people barging into buildings filled with flames and racing off to help anyone in need. But Chief Trey Mayo wants the community to understand they're more than the headlines. "We have fire trucks come and fire trucks go, and the public sees them moving around not really understanding what they're doing," mayo said. The two new "SAVE" campaign videos show what the firefighters do and why they're so important. "It's difficult to put a value on human life. That's what you're going to see in these videos: preservation of human life," Mayo said.  

Local students could soon have a fast track to a stable career, thanks to The Augusta Fire Department. Augusta Commissioners are on board, as well as the Richmond County Board of Education Board Members. The goal is to allow students to earn a good salary right out of high school. "I have positions that I need to fill," said Augusta Fire Department Fire Chief, Christopher James. "I think we can use our resources right here to fill those positions." The fire department is ready to help recent graduates get on the path to success, right here at home. "They don't have to go off somewhere else to get a job," explained James. "We have jobs right here in our community that is very satisfying jobs that pay well." The fire department has partnered with the city and the school board. Students will have the chance to take the firefighter test. If they meet the requirements, they could walk right into a job after graduation. Starting pay is $33,684, plus benefits, and paid vacation time.