By MES Dispatch Staff

The Briefing

• Angelo Giambrone, a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue paramedic fired in 2019 for testing positive for marijuana, plans to appeal his case to the Florida Supreme Court after a district court reversed a lower court ruling in his favor.
• Circuit Judge Melissa Polo ruled in December 2024 that Hillsborough County must accommodate employees using physician-authorized medical marijuana; the Second District Court of Appeal disagreed on July 31, stating medical marijuana cards do not constitute prescriptions under the firefighters’ bargaining agreement.
• Giambrone sought medical marijuana treatment for PTSD, anxiety, and sleep disorder issues authorized by his physician; his paramedic license was not suspended or revoked by the Department of Health.
• The Florida Attorney General’s Office argued the state has a compelling interest in maintaining drug-free paramedic and EMT personnel; the federal government recently reclassified medical marijuana as Schedule III, acknowledging acceptable medical uses and lower dependence risk.
• The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue union supports preventing on-duty impairment while opposing punishment for physician-authorized off-duty medical treatment.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — A Hillsborough County Fire Rescue paramedic fired for medical marijuana use has announced plans to appeal his termination case to the Florida Supreme Court, raising questions about employment policies and evolving federal standards regarding medical marijuana classification.

Angelo Giambrone was placed on unpaid administrative leave in 2019 after testing positive for marijuana during a required drug screening. Giambrone sued Hillsborough County for employment discrimination, claiming his physician recommended medical marijuana to treat PTSD, anxiety, and sleep disorder conditions.

Circuit Judge Melissa Polo issued a ruling in December 2024 in favor of Giambrone, determining that Hillsborough County must reasonably accommodate employees who tested positive for marijuana if their use was medically authorized by a physician.

The Second District Court of Appeal reversed Polo’s decision on July 31. Judge Suzanne Labrit wrote in the appellate decision that although a medical marijuana card may resemble a prescription in function and appearance, it does not satisfy the legal standards outlined in the fire rescue employees’ collective bargaining agreement.

The appellate court emphasized that its ruling was narrowly tailored to Hillsborough County and the specific firefighters’ bargaining agreement structure, noting that the decision may not apply to other jurisdictions or employment contexts.

Giambrone plans to petition the Florida Supreme Court to review the appellate decision, his attorney Michael Minardi stated. Minardi argued that the Department of Health did not suspend or revoke Giambrone’s paramedic license despite his medical marijuana use, preserving his professional ability to administer life-saving medical care.

“I think the glaring thing that they didn’t recognize is that the Department of Health did not suspend, revoke or take away his license to be a paramedic,” Minardi said. “He still has the ability, despite his medical use, to be able to administer life-saving care to people that he came across in his position.”

The Florida Attorney General’s Office submitted an amicus brief opposing Giambrone’s reinstatement claims, arguing the state has a compelling interest in maintaining substance-free standards for paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

“Floridians deserve to know that the people charged with saving their lives will not only respect federal law but also refrain from voluntarily impairing their cognitive abilities during their terms of service,” the attorney general’s office stated.

The federal government recently reclassified medical marijuana products to Schedule III substance status, acknowledging recognized medical applications and lower dependence risk compared to Schedule I drugs, which lack accepted medical uses. Minardi stated he believes this federal reclassification provides grounds for overturning Giambrone’s employment termination.

Hillsborough County has indicated it will not modify its zero-tolerance drug policy regardless of federal reclassification status, according to Minardi.

The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue union, Local 2294, stated it supports zero-tolerance policies for on-duty impairment but opposes disciplinary action against firefighters for physician-authorized off-duty medical treatment. Union President Tim Pearson stated the policy discussion should focus on fitness-for-duty standards and treatment alternatives addressing sleep disorders, fatigue, and PTSD affecting emergency services personnel.

“The conversation should be about fitness for duty, non-addictive treatments for sleep disorders/fatigue/PTSD and the mental health challenges of first responders,” Pearson stated.

Jodi James, president of the Florida Cannabis Action Network, stated that Florida law should align with the recent federal reclassification of medical marijuana.

“It is no longer a question whether we have a right to use this as medicine. We do,” James said. “I think it’s certainly time for Florida law to catch up.”

By MES Dispatch Staff

The Briefing

• A two-alarm fire broke out on a four-car vacuum train at the Astor Place subway station in Manhattan’s East Village on August 5 shortly after 2 a.m., causing heavy smoke at street level and throughout the station.
• Six New York City Fire Department firefighters and eight Metropolitan Transportation Authority transit workers sustained injuries, primarily from smoke inhalation; no injuries were life-threatening.
• The fire, which appeared to originate in the second of four cars, caused heavy smoke to disrupt service on the Lexington Line from Spring Street to 14th Street; two in-service trains were impacted during the incident.
• FDNY personnel brought the fire under control before 4 a.m.; power to the affected track section was cut around 2:30 a.m., and full service resumed just after 6:30 a.m.
• The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is investigating the incident; vacuum train cars are deployed to clean track beds of debris and maintain rail infrastructure.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — A two-alarm fire on a vacuum train at the Astor Place subway station caused heavy smoke throughout the station and aboveground, prompting emergency response that resulted in injuries to firefighting personnel and transit workers.

The fire broke out shortly after 2 a.m. on August 5 on the four-car vacuum train positioned at the Astor Place station in the East Village. Upon arrival, FDNY units encountered heavy smoke conditions both at street level and throughout the station. Assistant Chief Tom Currao noted the extensive smoke visible when units arrived.

Six FDNY firefighters and eight transit workers sustained injuries during firefighting and emergency response operations. According to FDNY, those injured were primarily affected by smoke inhalation. One transit worker was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation; the remaining seven transit workers injured were transported to area hospitals and quickly released. None of the injuries sustained were considered life-threatening.

The injured transit workers included five members of the work train’s crew and three Astor Place station workers. In-service subway service was disrupted during the incident. A Brooklyn-bound No. 4 train was evacuated, and a downtown No. 6 train reported smoke conditions too heavy to permit stopping at Astor Place.

FDNY personnel cut power to the tracks beneath the East Village around 2:30 a.m. The power cut affected the Lexington Line service between Spring Street and 14th Street. Crews brought the blaze under control shortly before 4 a.m.; however, water accumulation on the tracks and drainage complications stemming from debris prevented immediate service restoration. Full service on the Lexington Line resumed just after 6:30 a.m.

Investigators determined the fire appeared to have originated on the second of the train’s four cars. Vacuum cars are deployed to clean trackbed debris and maintain track infrastructure. A similar vacuum car operated under contract with federal railway Amtrak caught fire in May 2026 beneath Penn Station. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority stated that investigation into the Astor Place incident is ongoing.

By MES Dispatch Staff

The Briefing

• An 18-month investigation concluded August 5 that electrical arcing from an out-of-service Southern California Edison transmission tower ignited the Eaton Fire that killed 19 people and destroyed over 9,400 buildings in Altadena in January 2025.
• The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Los Angeles County Fire Department determined that two rapid electrical arcing events dislodged burning material that fell into dry brush, igniting a conflagration within 12 seconds under extreme Santa Ana wind conditions.
• The report identified eight violations of state criminal and public utility codes tied to Southern California Edison; details remain redacted pending review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
• Southern California Edison has maintained that one of its transmission lines likely caused the fire but has denied full financial responsibility and is facing multiple lawsuits from fire victims and property owners.
• The Eaton Fire burned approximately 14,000 acres over 24 days and became one of Los Angeles County’s most destructive natural disasters.

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. — State fire investigators concluded August 5 that a Southern California Edison transmission tower sparked the deadly Eaton Fire that devastated Altadena in January 2025, according to a report released jointly by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The investigation, conducted over 18 months by the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s arson investigation unit in conjunction with Cal Fire, determined that electrical arcing events on the out-of-service transmission tower ignited the fire on the night of January 7, 2025. The report concluded that two electrical arcing events occurring in rapid succession dislodged burning material, which fell from the tower into the dry brush fuel bed below.

Video evidence reviewed during the investigation documented the two electrical arcing events from the Southern California Edison transmission tower location in Eaton Canyon. Within 12 seconds of the burning material igniting the brush, the fire developed into a conflagration that ultimately burned approximately 14,000 acres over 24 days, destroyed more than 9,400 buildings, and killed 19 people across the Altadena community.

Los Angeles County Fire Department officials stated that the investigation concluded electrical arcing was the cause of the wildfire after thorough review of evidence alongside retained electrical and metallurgical experts. The report identified eight violations of state criminal and public utility codes appearing to be tied to Southern California Edison; however, details of those violations remain redacted pending ongoing review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Southern California Edison officials acknowledged receiving the report and stated they are reviewing its findings. An Edison representative stated the company has taken its potential role in the fire’s origin seriously and continues supporting the Altadena community through its Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program. The utility has previously maintained that one of its century-old transmission lines likely caused the fire but has denied full financial responsibility, facing multiple lawsuits from fire victims. Edison is also engaged in counter-litigation against Los Angeles County and water providers, contending they share responsibility for the fire’s toll, including citing delayed evacuation alerts that in some parts of west Altadena came after the fire had already threatened residential areas.

The Eaton Fire ignited during an extreme Santa Ana wind event that also produced the deadly Palisades Fire on the same day. Together, the two fires became the most destructive natural disaster in Los Angeles County history.

By MES Dispatch Staff

The Briefing

• Firefighters were temporarily withdrawn from the Devil’s Elbow area and other eastern sections of the Tartar Fire in Idaho on August 4 after crews reported harassment and threats serious enough to halt suppression operations.
• The U.S. Forest Service stated that safety concerns prompted the decision to disengage crews from affected areas, which were moved to staging locations pending resolution of the situation.
• Ranchers objected to firing operations conducted along the fire’s eastern flank, accusing crews of intentionally burning unburned private grazing land, prompting incident managers to halt all firing operations.
• The Tartar Fire, which began July 24 approximately 21 miles northwest of Weiser, had burned 138,271 acres and was 41% contained as of August 4 with 562 personnel assigned.
• Command of the fire was transitioning from Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 3 to Southwest Team 1; officials stated firefighting operations would continue during the transition.

WEISER, IDAHO — Firefighters responding to the Tartar Fire were temporarily withdrawn from portions of the eastern perimeter after confrontations involving threats and harassment forced incident management to prioritize crew safety and halt suppression activities in affected areas.

A U.S. Forest Service spokesperson told CBS2 that some threats were serious enough to require personnel removal from the area. “Some of the threats were serious enough we had to pull firefighters out of that area,” the spokesperson stated.

Crews temporarily disengaged from the Devil’s Elbow area and other locations along the fire’s eastern side. Karen Dante Wood, public information officer for the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team, stated that confrontations were not isolated to a single location or incident. “There have been other incidents also along kind of the eastern side of the fire,” Wood said. “We had our crews disengage last night due to their safety.”

Firefighters in affected areas were moved to staging locations. Wood stated she could not immediately confirm whether personnel had returned to operations. “Their safety is our number one priority,” Wood stated.

In an August 4 fire update, the incident management team addressed the matter. “The safety of our firefighters is paramount. Last night, firefighters were pulled out of the Devil’s Elbow area and other portions along the east side of the fire as they were being harassed and threatened. Crews will disengage if such actions continue,” the update stated.

The withdrawal followed ranchers’ objections to firing operations conducted along the fire’s eastern flank. Ranchers accused crews of intentionally burning unburned private grazing land located behind firelines the ranchers had established. Incident managers subsequently announced cessation of firing operations. “We will not be carrying out any firing operations from here on out,” Wood told the Argus Observer.

Firing operations involve deliberately burning vegetation to reduce fuel available to an advancing wildfire, strengthening control lines ahead of primary fire advancement.

The Tartar Fire began July 24 approximately 21 miles northwest of Weiser, Idaho. The fire had burned 138,271 acres and was 41 percent contained as of August 4. A total of 562 personnel were assigned to the fire. Wind-driven runs, uphill runs, and short-range spotting were reported as ongoing fire behavior concerns.

Structures and communications infrastructure remained threatened by the fire. Road, land, and trail closures were in effect within the fire area.

Command responsibility was transitioning from Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 3 to Southwest Team 1. Officials stated that firefighters and equipment would remain assigned during the transition and that suppression work would continue.

By MES Dispatch Staff

The Briefing

• A fire consumed all seven floors of the long-vacant Centennial Mills warehouse at 1362 Northwest Naito Parkway in Portland on August 2, burning for approximately 16 hours before being brought under control.
• Eighty firefighters and multiple aerial hose trucks responded to the blaze that started just before 4 p.m.; crews battled the fire exclusively from outside because the structure was on Portland’s “unsafe building” list.
• Portland Fire and Rescue plans to deploy a drone loaned from the Scapoose Fire District to create a three-dimensional map of the interior structure to assist fire investigation.
• Fire investigators are seeking video footage from anyone in the area around 3:50 p.m., requesting unedited submissions to preserve raw evidence for analysis.
• Demolition plans for the burned structure remain uncertain and would be at the direction of the city building engineer, with costs to be borne by the property owner.

PORTLAND, ORE. — A major fire consuming all interior floors of the Centennial Mills warehouse on Portland’s waterfront resulted in a structure that remains standing despite the intensity of the blaze, prompting investigators to use unmanned aircraft to survey the burned interior.

The fire at 1362 Northwest Naito Parkway began shortly before 4 p.m. on August 2. At the height of the blaze, eighty firefighters responded to the scene along with multiple aerial hose trucks that deployed thousands of gallons of water onto the fire. Crowds of bystanders observed firefighting operations from the waterfront.

Portland Fire and Rescue spokesperson Rick Graves stated that the seven-story building has long been designated on the bureau’s “unsafe building” list. Consequently, firefighters conducted firefighting operations from outside the structure only, with no interior entry.

Firefighting crews brought the visible flames under control by approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday. Personnel from two aerial hose trucks remained at the location overnight to monitor the structure and respond if hotspots reignited. The fire burned for approximately 16 hours total.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Firefighters have been unable to enter the building to confirm whether any individuals were inside at the time the fire started or at any point during the incident.

Portland Fire and Rescue personnel plan to deploy a drone on loan from the Scapoose Fire District to conduct interior survey operations. The unmanned aircraft will create a three-dimensional map of the burned interior structure to assist investigators in their examination of the damage and fire origin.

Fire investigators are seeking video documentation from persons present in the area around 3:50 p.m. who may have captured footage of the scene prior to firefighter arrival. Investigators request that all video be submitted in original, unedited format without enhancements to preserve raw evidence for detective review. Persons submitting footage will remain anonymous and will only be contacted if follow-up questions are necessary.

The derelict waterfront building has been a prominent Portland landmark for decades and has cycled through multiple redevelopment proposals over the years. Building owner Stuart Lindquist purchased the property for $1.25 million in 2024. The Portland Design Commission approved Lindquist’s redevelopment plan in 2025 to transform the Centennial Mills location into three mid-rise mixed-use buildings containing 272 residential units, retail spaces, and a nightclub.

Demolition decisions for the burned warehouse structure remain uncertain as of August 4. Any demolition would proceed at the direction of the city building engineer, with demolition costs to be paid by the property owner.