Fire engine strikes home after multiple-vehicle crash in Stockton

VIDEO: A fire engine has crashed into a home in Stockton on Wednesday morning. The scene was near the intersection of West Lane and E. Alpine Avenue. Stockton Fire says the incident happened just after 7 a.m. while they were responding to a structure fire and involved multiple vehicles. At some point during the incident, a crash happened – but it's unclear if the fire engine was part of the initial crash, or if it was struck as a result of a crash. Either way, the fire engine ended up hitting a home. One of the other drivers involved suffered critical injuries, Stockon police say, while a passenger in another vehicle had minor injuries. No one in the home or fire personnel were hurt in the incident, police say. Traffic was being re-routed around the area due to the crash investigation but has since reopened.
KOVR-TV CBS 13 Stockton

San Francisco commemorates 118th anniversary of 1906 earthquake with ceremony, stressing preparedness

VIDEO: San Francisco is marking the 118th anniversary of the 1906 earthquake and fire that nearly destroyed the city. Every year on April 18, a moment of silence is observed at 5:11 a.m. at Lotta's Fountain on Market Street to remember those who lost their lives in the 7.8-magnitude tremor. More than 3,000 people died in the quake and fire and hundreds of thousands lost their homes. Lotta's served as a meeting spot for citizens to reunite with their loved ones after the quake. It is the oldest surviving monument from that day. The ceremony also included 30 seconds of fire engine sirens at 5:12 a.m., during the exact moment the earthquake hit. As part of the ceremony, many who attend dress up in Victorian-era outfits. Former Mayor Willie Brown, SFFD, SFPD, San Francisco Sheriff's Office were there as well as the Emergency Management Department.
KGO-TV ABC 7 San Francisco

Kern County Fire Department Medical Unit is saving lives

The new Kern County Fire Medical Unit, which was deployed in unincorporated areas of Kern in November, has already started saving lives, according to the Kern County Fire Department. Fire officials say this Monday, the Kern County Fire Department Medical Unit reached another milestone by regaining the pulse of an Oildale resident in cardiac arrest. At the scene on Monday, new medical units entered their last phase of academy training, which means they responded to medical emergencies with the supervision of veteran firefighters. Fire officials say the response would normally include two engine companies but Medical Unit 6 replaced one of the two engine companies. The medical unit arrived at the scene first and within several minutes of arrival, the patient’s pulse was regained.
KGET-TV NBC/CW+ 17 Bakersfield

Reedley firefighters memorialize 2 line of duty deaths

PHOTO: Two firefighters who died in the line of duty since the inception of the Reedley Fire Department have been memorialized in plaques. Firefighters report the first fireman was Firefighter Perley E. Miller who died on Oct. 5, 1917. On that day crews were called to a house fire where Miller was in charge of turning off the electricity to the city lights— a duty he had performed for two years. After turning off the lights he joined the others in extinguishing the fire. Afterwards, he was instructed by Chief Gillingham to turn the lights back on. Soaking wet, crews report he climbed the 25-foot-high pole. A witness reported seeing a flash and Miller fell to the ground, suffering deadly injuries. The department says the second firefighter memorialized was Firefighter Elmer Madsen who died on Dec. 9, 1972, while responding to the fire station.
KGPE-TV CBS 47 Fresno

Fresno Fire believes fires at Armenian cemetery arson, not hate crime

VIDEO: Fresno Fire is investigating multiple suspected arson fires at the Ararat Armenian Cemetery near Roeding Park this past weekend. The fires resulted in the destruction of multiple cypress trees, those of which were a minimum of 60 years old. They also created fears of a possible hate crime days away from the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide on April 24. However, Fresno Fire investigators have ruled that out, as they say, the trees burned over the weekend are just the latest of many they say have been ignited in the area. An area that includes multiple other cemeteries, like Holy Cross and Mountain View cemeteries. “There’s been absolutely zero information or crimes that have been committed that we could link to any sort of a hate crime. There’s been no tagging, no defacing of property, no vandalism,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Jay Tracy.
KGPE-TV CBS 47 Fresno

Cosumnes Fire Department opens 9th fire station in Elk Grove

The Cosumnes Fire Department opened its ninth fire station in Elk Grove to protect the quickly growing area, fire officials say. "The addition of Fire Station 77 will significantly enhance our emergency response capabilities," said Cosumnes CSD Fire Chief Felipe Rodriguez. "By strategically placing resources in this rapidly developing area, we can effectively address the increased demand for emergency services and ensure the safety of our community." Kaiser Permanente, Cosumnes River College-Elk Grove Center, Sky River Casino, and several businesses and hundreds of new single-family homes are among the developments near the new fire station. "As the area continues to grow, we must be equipped to meet expanded community needs. This new station will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents," said Cosumnes Community Service District (CDS) Board President Jim Luttrell.
KXTV ABC 10 Sacramento