Maui Fire Department outlines key areas of improvement identified in ‘after-action’ report on wildfires

VIDEO: The Maui Fire Department on Tuesday presented the results and recommendations from a highly-anticipated “after-action” report on last year’s wildfire devastation, saying changes had already been made based on lessons learned. The after-action report was put together by the Western Fire Chiefs Association and includes a detailed timeline of Aug. 8 — the day ferocious flames raced through Lahaina. More than 100 lives were lost, thousands of properties were destroyed and the town was all but leveled. Maui fire officials stressed the report did not cover the cause and origin of the wildfires, but rather was a “thorough, well-researched presentation,” identifying what went well and what improvements could be made to protect lives and property in the future.
Hawaii News Now

Cancer screening partnership saves New York firefighter’s life; Program serves as model for other cities

VIDEO: As Captain Mark Egloff approaches 30 years as a Buffalo firefighter, he's made history, receiving the first-ever line-of-duty cancer diagnosis within the department. "You know, you're scared when you hear it," he told 7 News. "Everyone hears cancer, you get scared of it. That's just the natural reaction." But thanks to a partnership between Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Buffalo Fire Department, and Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282, Captain Egloff's lung cancer was detected early. He had surgery and is now cancer-free and back on the job. "I was fortunate enough that we caught it early enough that it was just a little segment they took out," he explained. "They stitched me up, and I was good to go." Roswell Park operates Eddy, a mobile lung cancer screening unit, which focuses on at-risk populations.
WKBW-TV ABC 7 Buffalo

VIDEO: North Carolina updating fire code following deadly 2023 SouthPark fire

It was one of the darkest days in Charlotte’s history when a 5-alarm fire engulfed a SouthPark apartment complex under construction, trapping two workers inside. Ruben Holmes and Demonte Sherill lost their lives; the fire almost took more. “We almost lost eight to 10 firefighters that day when they called for ‘Mayday’ when they got trapped,” said North Carolina State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor. “Luckily, they were able to get out due to their equipment and their training.” Now, because of that destructive and deadly fire, changes are on the way. “What are we going to do?” Taylor said. “How can we make these buildings safer during construction? Because, we had the Raleigh fire and then, of course, we had the Charlotte fire.”
Queen City News

After saving his parents and nearly losing his life, former UFC fighter promotes fire safety in Ohio

VIDEOS: Mark Coleman was woken up by his dog around 4 a.m. on March 12 at his parent's house in Fremont, Ohio. The former UFC fighter recalled his room being unusually warm and thought he was having a nightmare. Coleman headed to the kitchen to see what was happening and saw clouds of smoke. Still, he didn't realize what was happening. Not until he went to grab a doorknob and got third-degree burns. That's when he realized this was real. “I realized the fire was everywhere inside the house. I immediately ran toward my mom and dad's bedroom and yelled at them about five times. They didn't respond. I got a sick feeling that they were dead or something,” Coleman said. Coleman got his parents out of bed and walked his mom and dad down the hallway to get to safety but he lost sight of his mom.
WTOL-TV CBS 11 Toledo

FDNY marshals make first ever lithium-ion battery violation arrest at Brooklyn storefront

A Brooklyn merchant wound up in fire marshals’ handcuffs for improper storage of highly-flammable lithium-ion batteries inside his business — the first arrest of its kind ever reported in New York City, FDNY officials announced Monday. Tian Liang Liu, of the Electric Bicycle Shop at 1239 Flatbush Ave., was taken into custody on April 12 in a rare criminal action by the FDNY. Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh outlined the details of the arrest during a Monday press conference at the FDNY’s MetroTech headquarters in Downtown Brooklyn. “The FDNY E-safety task force made up of the Bureau of Fire prevention, our Special Investigations Unit, and Fire Investigations conducted an inspection,” Commissioner Kavanagh explained. “Fire marshals arrested Tian Liang Liu and brought him to the 70th Precinct to be charged.”
amNY

Los Angeles firefighter recruit killed in hit-and-run on California’s 101 Freeway

VIDEO: The Los Angeles Fire Department is mourning the loss of a recruit firefighter who was killed in a hit-and-run crash on the northbound 101 Freeway in Studio City Monday morning. According to LAFD, Jacob Fuerte, 22, “may have been involved in a traffic collision” shortly after 5 a.m. near Vineland Avenue as Fuerte was on his way to training. “He got out of his vehicle, likely to assess the situation and render aid to anyone in need, when he was hit by another vehicle,” fire department spokesman Erik Scott said in a videotaped statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, including the fire department, Fuerte was pronounced dead at the scene. “We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the immediate family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” said Scott.
KTLA-TV CW 5 Los Angeles

New esophageal cancer screening test offered to Alabama firefighters

VIDEO: When we think of dangers to firefighters, it's the flames and burning buildings that come to mind. But there are dangers you don't see like the chemicals that can lead to esophageal and other cancers. New screening methods are helping catch the cancers earlier. Firefighters are exposed to hundreds of chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, and asbestos. "Everyone knows somebody going through it. We have someone on duty right now working with cancer," said Steve Cook, President Birmingham Firefighters Association. Gases, vapors and particulates get on their skin, eyes and gear. Birmingham firefighters have a high call volume, more than anywhere in the state, leading to greater exposure to hazards. Eighty firefighters were recently screened at an event in the metro area for esophageal cancer. The one minute EsoGuard test is used to find precancerous cells in the esophagus.
WBMA-LD ABC 33/40 Birmingham

1930 Mack fire truck returned to original Pennsylvania township home

VIDEO: A piece of firefighting history has returned to the place where it first began its service to the community nearly a century ago. The Exeter Township Fire Department has acquired a 1930 Mack fire truck, thanks to a donation from the Reiffton Fire Company Social Quarters. "I saw pictures of what we were going to get, but when I walked in, it got me a little emotional just to see it in person," said Dep. Chief Chris Jordan. The truck served the township for more than 25 years. "We brought back the 1930 Mack that was an original piece of apparatus for the Reiffton Fire Company, which has now merged into the Exeter Township Fire Department," said Jordan. It was then sold to the Kulptown Fire Company in Union Township, which used it for about a year, according to the E.T.F.D. The truck ultimately ended up in the hands of Jack, a private collector in Maine.
WFMZ-TV 69 Allentown