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HI Firefighters Battle Massive Fire

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The Honolulu Fire Department fought an early morning fire that left multiple businesses affected in Kakaako.

Source firehouse.com News

An early morning fire has left multiple businesses affected on Queen Street.

Indianapolis Firefighters Work to Free Man’s Hand from Machine

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Rick Lee tried to free his hand from the die cutting press for nearly 30 minutes before calling for help.

Source firehouse.com News

Indianapolis firefighters got a quick course in die cutting while to free a man’s hand.

Rick Lee was resetting the press when it made a movement he wasn’t expecting. It pinched his hand, and he wasn’t able to free it.

He tried a few things, but couldn’t do it. So, after 20 minutes, he called 911, according to firefighters. 

The owner of Indiana Steel Rule Die, he’s been working with the machine for more than 30 years. Lee explained the machine’s operation to firefighters, who eventually used a hydraulic ram. It took about 20 minutes.

He was checked out by EMS personnel, but didn’t go to the hospital with them.

Lee agreed to the request to post information about the extrication in appreciation of the firefighters’ efforts. 

“Don’t take shortcuts, or disregard safety procedures no matter how familiar you are with the machine. It only takes a split second for possible life altering consequences. I am very lucky.”

Sadly, he added that the 1950’s era Original Heidelberg Windmill Die Cut machine is going to be permanently out of commission. 

Pooch Accidentally Paws Fire Alarm at IA Doggie Day Care

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Grimes firefighters received an apology letter from Birdie.

Source firehouse.com News

Sometimes you are just so excited you just can’t contain it.

And, that’s just what happened to Birdie when she got to doggie day camp. 

“She just arrived for day camp and was just bouncing around and bounced into the fire alarm, pushed it in, pulled it down and that was it,” Jessica Tapper, owner of Dogwoods Lodge, told KCCI. 

Video footage shows Birdie jumping and pawing the alarm, prompting a visit from Grimes firefighters.

While some of her playmates were freaking out, Birdie didn’t seem to mind at all.

As punishment, Birdie had to “paws” and think about what she did.

She also wore an apology around her neck, which reads, “Dear Grimes Fire Department, I’m sorry that I pulled the fire alarm today. Sincerely, Birdie.”

Reporters noted that firefighters have forgiven Birdie.

And, she’s also very excited that she’s allowed to return to play. 

Man Critically Injured in D.C. Apartment Building Fire

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D.C. firefighters found significant fire, and the blaze spread to nearby structures.

Source firehouse.com News

A man was critically injured in a two-alarm fire in the nation’s capital early Wednesday.

The fire spread from one building to another, and possibly a third, WUSA9 reported.

Crews with DC Fire and EMS found significant fire coming from the building about 4:30 a.m.

Men Who Supplied CAL Firefighter Fentanyl Sent to Prison

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CAL Firefighter Brian Parrish, 43, who died of an overdose, became addicted to painkillers after a wreck.

Source firehouse.com News

Two men who supplied a CAL firefighter with fentanyl have been sent to prison.

CAL Firefighter Brian Parish, 43, died of an overdose.

Justin Mata, 41, was sentenced to 15 years in prison while Everett Curtis, 48, got over 12 years, CBS8 reported. 

‘This is a problem that is affecting all ages, all races, all socioeconomic groups…These are not people who are homeless, who are in the streets, these are everyday ordinary people.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence Casper said. 

Parrish became addicted to painkillers after being treated with opioid medications following a wreck. 

“We are pleased with the sentence,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Maritsa Flaherty, who handled these cases. “It sends a strong message to those in the community that dealing fentanyl is a crime that will result in serious penalties.”

Parrish’s family hopes that sharing his story will help prevent others from feeling their pain. i

“Hopefully we can reach or inspire someone who could potentially need help to ask for help to de-stigmatize the idea that no one is out of the reach of addiction. Please know that what happened with Brian does not dictate the type of person that he was and all of the wonderful things that he achieved and all of the people who he saved in his career as a firefighter,” they said in a statement.

PA Fire Chief Slugs Firefighter Amid Command Dispute

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Stowe Township Fire Chief Matthew Chapman was charged with simple assault and harassment.

Source firehouse.com News

An apparent dispute over command decisions led to blows between a Pennsylvania fire chief and a firefighter at an incident Sunday.

Stowe Township Fire Chief Matthew Chapman, who established command at a house fire, was in his vehicle when the argument started, according to CBS News

The Preston firefighter was yelling profanities at the chief, and started to walk away. That’s when Chapman charged at him and punched him the face. Officers broke up the fight. 

The chief told the officer the firefighter had been questioning him about his decision making. 

He has been charged with simple assault and harassment. 

MA Firefighter Pleads for Return of Items in Stolen Car

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A Lawrence firefighter’s turnout gear including a prized leather helmet was in the trunk.

Source firehouse.com News

When Patrick Sweeney didn’t see his Dodge Charger Hellcat parked outside his apartment in Wilmington, he was hoping it had been towed.

Unfortunately, it hadn’t. It had been stolen.

He’s more upset about what’s in the trunk than the vehicle, WBZ reported

Sweeney, a Lawrence firefighter, says his turnout gear including a prized leather helmet – a gift from his uncle when he graduated the academy — was in the trunk.

“I also have my grandfather’s dog tag (engraved James Philip Sweeney) and my prayer card from when he passed away. It was just kind of an emotional thing for me to lose. That’s something you really can’t get back,” he said.

Sweeney said he desperately wants the items returned, no questions asked.

PA Firefighter Struck, Killed at Crash Scene

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A vehicle driven by a teen struck Mapleton Firefighter Kurt Keilhofer as he was helping at a wreck in Union Township.

Source firehouse.com News

A Mapleton firefighter was struck and killed Tuesday morning as he worked along a road at a crash scene.

Kurt Keilhofer, 66, was struck on Hares Valley Road in Union Township about 7:30 a.m, WJAC reported.

Troopers said while crews were on the initial crash scene, a vehicle driven by a 19-year-old careened into the area and struck Keilhofer.

He was transported to Penn Highlands Huntingdon Hospital where was pronounced dead.

On its Facebook page, Mapleton Fire Department wrote: “It is with our deepest sorrow to even begin to say we lost a member today. A member that was not only encouraging of others, willing to help with anything, and do anything for anyone, but a member with a family, with friends. We are all struggling during this hard time. Firefighters in every company are a team, a second family, whenever we lose one of our own, it’s a different kind of pain. Thank you Kurt for your service, in the period of time you were in the department you made a big impact on all of our lives, and we can’t begin to thank you enough. Kurt was a wonderful guy to work beside, one that you wished there was more people like him in this world. Please keep everyone in your prayers during this hard time, thank you…”

Carts Destroyed by Fire at TX Golf Course

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Austin firefighters found heavy fire in the building where 80 golf carts were stored.

By Chris O’Connell San Antonio Express-News (TNS) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Dec. 5—A fire on Monday morning, December 5, at Avery Ranch Golf Club has led to a building collapse at the North Austin semi-private golf course.

Austin Fire Department posted that the course’s cart barn was “heavily involved,” and that there was believed to be 80 golf carts inside the barn when the fire started. At 6:04 a.m., the Austin Fire Department tweeted that the fire had gone defensive.

Less than an hour later, they reported that three other units were called to the site, where it was still a one-alarm fire. At that time there was a building collapse, but the fire was under control after Austin Fire Department was joined by Cedar Park and Round Rock Fire Departments. A representative for AFD tells MySA that there are no further updates at this time.

While technically located inside Austin city limits, the master-planned community Avery Ranch is wedged between Cedar Park and Round Rock, and is served by Round Rock and Leander ISDs.

MySA has reached out to Avery Ranch Golf Club for more information and will update this story.

Newly Appointed NV Chief Resigns Before Taking Oath

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Allegations of pending criminal charges led to Sparks officials asking for Mark Lawson’s resignation.

Source firehouse.com News

Less than a week after being hired to head the Sparks Fire Department, Mark Lawson has resigned. 

His departure came after city officials learned that ‘serious criminal charges’ are about to be filed against him, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.

“I am here with terrible bad horrible news,” said city manager Neil Krutz in a video message to Sparks Fire Department employees Monday.

The nature of the charges have not been released.

Krutz said after spending time with Lawson last week discussing the future of the fire department, he was looking forward to working with him. However, when the information surfaced, he felt it was best to part ways. 

Lawson was a former assistant chief/division chief of operations for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit. He was chosen from among six finalists who were part of a national process that involved the search services of Ralph Andersen & Associates of Rocklin, California.

Until a new chief is selected, two division chiefs will share command.