Memorial service planned for Huntersville firefighter who lost battle with COVID-19

A memorial service will take place on Tuesday for a Huntersville firefighter who succumbed to COVID-19. Veteran Huntersville firefighter Jeffery Hager died on Sept. 10 from complications caused by COVID-19. His wife died from COVID a few days later, according to a post shared Saturday by her parents on CaringBridge. “I know that Jeff was standing at the gates of Heaven with a sly smile, waiting to give her a big hug and a kiss! Our hearts are shattered and there are no words to explain the pain and grief we are feeling,” her parents said in the post. The Huntersville Fire Department said Jeffery Hager, 46, died on Sept. 10 after battling COVID-19 since Aug. 23. His wife, Amee, tested positive on the same day and had been in the hospital, where the couple were admitted on Aug. 28. Her parents said in the Sept. 18 post that she had since died from the virus.
WSOC-TV ABC 9 Charlotte

FEMA to send 50 ambulances, 100 personnel to North Carolina to help with COVID-19 response

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is preparing to send 50 ambulances and 100 personnel to North Carolina to help with the COVID-19 response. The FEMA support information was detailed in a federal planning document obtained by ABC News. Ambulances were provided to the state of Mississippi last month and Louisiana earlier this month. FEMA is also currently assisting North Carolina with clinical personnel for vaccine support. The federal document doesn't detail exactly which jurisdictions to which the ambulances will be deployed. The timeline is also currently to be determined. ABC11 reported last week that Wake County EMS was experiencing a large volume of calls. Because of that, it's become a daily occurrence that there are some times when there are no ambulances available to answer calls in the Raleigh city limits.
WTVD-TV ABC 11 Durham

Related: State’s COVID-19 hospitalization rate is declining, but there still aren’t enough rooms

With state numbers down 10% from a week ago, fewer North Carolinians are in the hospital with COVID-19, but local doctors say hospitals are still at their limit. At UNC Rex, doctors explained there are several factors contributing to the slight decline in the number of hospitalizations. One reason could be the use of monoclonal antibodies to treat people with COVID-19, a treatment doctors say is working but is still not the best way to fight and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Dr. David Wohl with UNC Health told WRAL News the vaccine is the best tool to fight the virus, saying hospitals will continue to face capacity problems until more people get vaccinated. According to Wohl, beds are still nearly full in many local hospitals, and ICU capacity is maxing out, with over 90% of those patients unvaccinated.
WRAL-TV NBC 5 Raleigh

Multiple cars burn at north Charlotte salvage shop

VIDEO: After investigating a large fire at an auto salvage shop in north Charlotte, firefighters deemed the incident to be an accident. Investigators said it was due to an improper fuel transfer using a battery-powered pump that arced and caused the fire and estimated damages are around $5,000. The Charlotte Fire Department was called to a reported fire near the intersection of 28th Street and North Tryon Street, just south of Matheson Avenue, around 11 a.m. Friday. Firefighters said multiple cars were on fire behind a repair shop on 28th Street. Fire crews shut down the 2500 block of North Tryon Street, between East 27th Street and Matheson Avenue, while the fire was controlled. No injuries have been reported at the scene.
WCNC-TV NBC 6 Charlotte

Durham firefighter dies month after getting COVID-19

A Durham firefighter died a month after getting COVID-19, the fire department announced Sunday morning. Fire Driver Jeremy Klemm had been with the Durham Fire Department for 15 years. He was a graduate of Fire Academy 19, the department wrote. Klemm was promoted to fire driver in January 2020. Klemm got COVID-19 on Aug. 17. He died Saturday evening, the Durham Fire Department said. He leaves behind his wife, brother, son, and two stepsons. “He will be greatly missed,” the fire department wrote.
WNCN-TV CBS 17 Goldsboro

Winston-Salem firefighters put out fire after crash involving tractor-trailer

VIDEO: A tractor-trailer and truck caught fire during a crash on Friday afternoon, according to the Winston-Salem Fire Department. Firefighters and hazmat officials responded to the crash at the Deacon Boulevard and Shore Fair Drive intersection. A fuel spill made the fire worse, fire officials say. The call reporting the crash came in around 3:45 p.m. Duke power officials were called to the scene to repair downed power lines. The fire has been put out. No injuries have been reported at this time. The cause of the crash is unknown.
WGHP-TV FOX 8 Greensboro

Charlotte police, fire pulling on-duty police and firefighters away from areas to cover Panthers games

As the Carolina Panthers try to scratch out wins on the field, Charlotte police and firefighters say neighborhoods across Charlotte are losing. A WCNC Charlotte investigation revealed some parts of the city are receiving less police and fire protection on game days. The reduced and shifted resources are the result of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Charlotte Fire Department pulling on-duty police and firefighters away from their assigned zones to cover Bank of America Stadium. "There's no other way to put it. There's definitely going to be an impact to public safety," Charlotte Firefighters Association President Tom Brewer said. "It absolutely concerns me and it should concern the citizens as well." Brewer said the 2021 Panthers season kicked off with 16 on-duty firefighters plus supervisors. That's roughly 6% of that shift's staff, pulled from three stations.
WCNC-TV NBC 6 Charlotte

Volunteer firefighter in Summerfield makes bags out of discarded fire hoses

VIDEO: Life-saving equipment is a key material for Janelle Robinson’s business: Burn Bags USA. The mom and Summerfield volunteer firefighter uses worn fire hoses to make bags and accessories. During her days putting out fires and responding to other emergencies in the town, Janelle saw an opportunity. “We got new hoses, and they were going to throw the other hose away, so I brought them home, so I could see if I could make something out of it,” Janelle said. She hand cuts old fire hoses and sews pieces together to create her Burn Bags USA totes. She’s selling her bags in 37 stores across the country. Each one has a label listing the firehouse where the hose came from. These days Janelle’s line includes handbags, wristlets, wine carriers and dopp kits for men. “Every fire hose that we get gets cleaned three times before we make it into the bag,” Janelle said.
WGHP-TV FOX 8 Greensboro