’Not often do you get opportunity to live both dreams in a lifetime’: Phoenix firefighter is a former Super Bowl champ

VIDEO: The alarm sounds and Roy Lewis grabs his gear and darts to the truck. He feels a rush of adrenaline as he climbs into the driver's seat, starts the engine and turns on the siren. Lewis is a Phoenix firefighter who's living his dream of helping the community. "I always vowed if I ever had an opportunity to give back, I would," he said. Lewis has been fighting Phoenix's fires for almost ten years. He's an engineer with Station 18 who is constantly responding to calls and helping save lives. He always knew this was a job he wanted, but sometimes life throws a curve ball. "Football has afforded me so many opportunities, and I'm very thankful and very humble," he said. "This job reminds me how fortunate I am." In 2008, Lewis joined the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a cornerback and played with everything he had. The experience, the brotherhood, and the fans, he says, were priceless.
KPNX-TV NBC 12 Mesa

Lithium battery explosion in electric bike to blame for house fire in Glendale

VIDEO: Firefighters responding to a home explosion this week in Glendale say lithium batteries are to blame. Lithium batteries are in many of the devices we use, from cars to cell phones to toys. “I was hearing pops and explosions. I live like three houses down so I heard it. I was going to the gym and next thing I know there’s a burst of flames. Black smoke is going into the air,” said neighbor Marcus Kidd. The terrifying video was the result of an explosion inside one Glendale home. The cause? Glendale fire said it was the result of an electric bike. They believe the lithium battery inside exploded, leaving the family with limited time to act. “It escalated very quickly, within five minutes it was a full blown, black smoke fire,” said Tim Matthews, a neighbor. “To find out it was a bike is scary,” Kidd added.
KTVK-TV CBS 3 & KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix (AZ Family)

Phoenix Police and Fire showcase Super Bowl safety preparations

VIDEO: Valley law enforcement is breaking down what's being done to keep the public safe during Super Bowl LVII. A joint effort from the Phoenix Police Department and the Phoenix Fire Department has been in the making for years. Glendale authorities will be making use of a 'real-time crime center' as well as drone technology and new apps to keep an eye on the event and make sure that problems are addressed before they can happen.
KPNX-TV NBC 12 Mesa

Car horn, firefighter’s split-second decision save woman during medical episode in Gilbert

For 17 years, Josh Milne has made it his mission to save lives. “Helping people is my favorite part of the job,” he said. As a firefighter and paramedic for Gilbert Fire and Rescue, he’s had plenty of opportunities to do so. On Tuesday afternoon, he got to do it again by being in the right place at the right time. Milne had just finished a day of live training at the Gilbert Public Safety Training Facility. He was headed home for a wedding anniversary dinner. After pulling out of the facility’s parking lot onto Power Road in Gilbert, he would have a date with destiny. “I was alerted by a passerby with his horn that something was going on,” he said. Not aware of what was going on, or why another driver was blaring his horn, Milne would soon understand why.
KPNX-TV NBC 12 Mesa

Tucson Fire Department received a record number of calls in 2022

The Tucson Fire Department ran more than 100-thousand calls last year - nearly 280 a day. They attribute the rise in calls primarily to the rise in Tucson's population surge. More people - more calls. In addition to responding to fires, TFD says more than 80 percent of their calls also involve EMS. Also despite efforts to drive non-emergency calls away from 911, it remains a go-to number for the public looking for routine assistance. Last year, Tucson launched 311 to re-route non-emergency calls away from 911. TFD response times vary depending on volume, traffic, and where units are when the calls come in. But on average current TFD response times are slightly higher than the national benchmark of five to six minutes. Unlike a year ago, TPD is close to being fully staffed. The department has less than 15 vacancies out of nearly 650 total positions - down from as many as 40 last year. It expects to be fully staffed after the next class graduates from the academy.
Arizona Public Media

Barrett-Jackson auction underway; law enforcement, Phoenix fire officials staying diligent

VIDEO: Hundreds of people are making plans to come to the Valley, from the Barret-Jackson auction to the Super Bowl LVII coming to Glendale in February! Law enforcement and fire officials are working around the clock to diligently stay ahead of the influx of people to keep everyone safe. Capt. Dave Folio said that a variety of emergency units are on standby around the events to ensure that regardless of the incident, officials are prepared. “We’ll move this equipment right into the WM Phoenix Open and will have a full Phoenix fire department,” he said. In terms of keeping yourself safe, the captain suggests staying alert as much as possible, hydrated, wearing comfortable shoes, and being prepared. “Hydrate the night before,” the captain said. “A lot of uneven surfaces too. Wear the comfortable shoes, come out and have some fun and don’t twist your ankle.”
KTVK-TV CBS 3 & KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix (AZ Family)