By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing

• Connecticut lawmakers have withdrawn a proposed building code change that would have allowed taller apartment buildings to be constructed with a single stairwell.
• The proposal stemmed from a 2024 law directing the state to expand single-stairwell building allowances during the next building code update.
• Fire marshals and fire chiefs across the state raised safety concerns, warning that a single exit route could endanger residents during fires.
• The legislature’s Regulation Review Committee moved to remove the provision, keeping the current rule requiring two stairwells for apartment buildings over three stories.
• Officials said the change was scrapped to allow the broader building code update process to move forward without delay.

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut lawmakers have removed a proposed change to the state building code that would have allowed certain apartment buildings to be constructed with a single stairwell, following opposition from fire service officials who raised safety concerns.

The proposal originated from legislation passed in 2024 directing the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services to expand the types of apartment buildings that could be served by a single stairwell in the next revision of the state building code. Under the current code, apartment buildings taller than three stories must have two stairwells.

During recent legislative action, a measure included in an emergency certification bill repealed the directive, leaving the existing stairwell requirement in place. The move came after members of the General Assembly’s Regulation Review Committee signaled the provision lacked sufficient support to move forward.

Fire marshals and chiefs across Connecticut expressed concern that allowing taller buildings with only one stairwell could create dangerous conditions during emergencies. Officials noted that residents and firefighters could be forced to use the same stairwell simultaneously during a fire, potentially complicating evacuations and suppression operations.

Housing advocates had supported the proposed change, arguing that requiring two stairwells can increase construction costs and limit development of smaller “missing middle” apartment buildings on constrained urban lots. Some advocates also said modern building systems, including sprinklers and fire-resistant construction materials, can mitigate fire risk in single-stairwell buildings.

The Connecticut Building Code is updated every three years through a review process led by the Department of Administrative Services and approved by the legislature. Lawmakers said removing the stairwell provision allows the broader code update to proceed while debate over the issue continues.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A funding dispute between Sherman, Texas, and Grayson County officials is raising concerns about future fire and EMS responses in rural areas outside city limits.
• Sherman Fire Rescue handled about 8,500 calls in 2025, including roughly 600 responses in unincorporated areas of the county.
• Rural emergency responses are currently funded through a contract between the city and county, but the agreement’s long-term sustainability is being questioned.
• A proposed sales tax for unincorporated areas intended to support rural fire and EMS services was rejected by voters in 2025.
• Officials say they have until October to determine how rural emergency services will be funded going forward.

SHERMAN, TX — A funding dispute between Sherman city officials and Grayson County leaders is raising questions about how fire and EMS services will be funded for residents living outside the city limits.

The issue was discussed during a March 2 meeting of the Sherman City Council, where officials reviewed the future of a contract that allows Sherman Fire Rescue to provide emergency services in unincorporated areas of Grayson County.

Sherman Fire Rescue responded to about 8,500 calls in 2025, including approximately 600 incidents outside the city limits, according to officials. Those responses are currently funded through an agreement between the city and county, but the long-term sustainability of the arrangement has been called into question.

County leaders previously proposed establishing a new revenue source to support rural fire and EMS coverage through a sales tax in unincorporated areas. However, voters rejected the proposal in the fall of 2025, leaving the county without a dedicated funding mechanism.

City officials said Sherman is currently contributing about $30,000 per month toward the cost of rural emergency responses, but council members noted the arrangement may not be sustainable long term. Leaders are exploring other options, including adjusting service rates or contracting directly with rural residents for emergency coverage.

Officials said discussions are ongoing, with a deadline in October to determine how rural fire and EMS services will be funded moving forward.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Volunteer fire departments across New York State are pushing for legislation that would allow departments to provide stipends of up to $12,000 per year to volunteers.
• Fire officials say the proposal is intended to address ongoing recruitment and retention challenges as volunteer firefighter numbers have fallen to a 40-year low.
• The number of volunteers statewide has declined from about 120,000 in 2000 to roughly 80,000 today, according to the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY).
• Supporters argue modest compensation could help departments retain members, while others warn it could create inequities between departments with different financial resources.
• Fire service leaders and volunteers are meeting with lawmakers in Albany as discussions about potential legislative solutions continue.

SYRACUSE, NY — Volunteer fire departments across New York are urging lawmakers to consider legislation that would allow departments to provide stipends to volunteer firefighters as recruitment and retention challenges intensify statewide.

The proposal being discussed would allow departments to offer volunteers compensation of up to $12,000 per year. Fire service leaders say the measure is intended to encourage more people to join and remain in volunteer departments as call volumes and training requirements increase.

According to the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, the number of volunteer firefighters statewide has dropped from approximately 120,000 in 2000 to about 80,000 today, marking a 40-year low. Officials say the decline has created staffing challenges for many departments, particularly in smaller communities.

Volunteer leaders from Onondaga County and other regions have traveled to Albany to meet with state officials, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, to discuss potential solutions. Supporters of the proposal say compensation could serve as a tool to help struggling departments maintain staffing levels.

Some fire service organizations have proposed alternative incentives, including expanded tax credits, mileage reimbursements and childcare assistance, rather than direct payments. Officials said discussions are ongoing and no specific legislation has yet been finalized.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A Raleigh Fire Department firefighter and U.S. Marine veteran was placed on administrative leave after disrupting a Senate committee hearing in Washington, D.C.
• The individual, Brian McGinnis, allegedly shouted during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing before resisting removal by officers.
• U.S. Capitol Police said three officers were injured during the struggle and treated by fire and EMS personnel.
• McGinnis faces multiple charges, including assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.
• Raleigh Fire Chief Herbert Griffin confirmed McGinnis has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Raleigh, North Carolina firefighter and U.S. Marine Corps veteran has been placed on administrative leave after allegedly disrupting a Senate hearing and struggling with officers during his removal from the room, authorities said.

Officials identified the individual as Brian McGinnis, 44, who stood and began shouting during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support at the Hart Senate Office Building. Officers moved to remove him after he interrupted the proceedings.

According to U.S. Capitol Police, McGinnis resisted officers’ attempts to escort him out of the hearing room, leading to a physical struggle near the doorway. Police said three officers were injured during the encounter and were treated by fire and emergency medical personnel.

McGinnis was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including three counts of misdemeanor assault on a police officer, three counts of resisting arrest and a charge related to obstructing or disrupting proceedings.

The Raleigh Fire Department confirmed McGinnis has been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is reviewed and the criminal case proceeds.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• About 60 residents and staff from the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority gathered at Fire Station 1 in Loveland, Colorado, Tuesday to publicly support Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach.
• The demonstration occurred ahead of a scheduled meeting between Sendelbach and the LFRA board regarding the board’s intent to terminate his employment.
• Supporters, including Local 3566 union members, held signs and wore shirts in favor of the chief’s continued leadership.
• Sendelbach, who has been on administrative leave since Jan. 28, spoke with the board and expressed cautious optimism the board could reach a resolution.
• The board has five days after the meeting to make a decision about Sendelbach’s employment status.

LOVELAND, CO — Around 60 community members and Loveland Fire Rescue Authority staff assembled outside Fire Station 1 Tuesday morning to show support for Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach ahead of his meeting with the LFRA board to discuss the board’s intent to terminate his position, officials and local media reported.

The demonstration occurred as Sendelbach, who has been on administrative leave since late January, prepared to discuss the board’s concerns and present his responses to its termination notice during a scheduled meeting, according to local reporting.

Supporters, including members of Local 3566 — the firefighters’ union — held signs and wore shirts with messages backing the chief’s leadership and advocating for his reinstatement at the authority’s downtown fire station.

In remarks after the meeting with the board, Sendelbach said he remained cautiously optimistic about the possibility of resolution and said he had addressed the board’s concerns in a detailed response.

The LFRA board has up to five days following the meeting to make a decision regarding Sendelbach’s employment, and a special session is set to address possible action on the matter.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A fire in a living pod at the North Portland Road Safe Rest Village in Portland, Oregon, Monday evening killed one resident, fire officials said.
• Portland Fire & Rescue crews found the pod nearly fully consumed by flames when they arrived and extinguished the blaze.
• Staff at the shelter attempted to suppress the fire with handheld extinguishers before firefighters’ arrival, officials reported.
• The fire was contained to the single unit and did not spread to other pods, authorities said.
• Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire; no further details have been released.

PORTLAND, OR — A resident of the North Portland Road Safe Rest Village in Portland died Monday evening after a living pod at the outdoor homeless shelter caught fire and was nearly fully consumed by flames, authorities said.

Portland Fire & Rescue crews responded just before 6 p.m. and found the pod “nearly completely consumed” by fire; firefighters doused the blaze and confirmed the occupant remained inside and did not survive, agency officials reported.

Staff at the shelter attempted to use handheld fire extinguishers to reduce the fire before fire crews’ arrival, but the blaze was too large and too hot to control without fire engine water, officials said.

City and fire investigators said the fire was contained to the single pod and did not spread to neighboring units at the managed shelter operated by Urban Alchemy.

Portland Fire & Rescue and the Portland Police Bureau Fire Investigations Unit are reviewing the circumstances and cause of the fire; officials have not yet released the identity of the person who died.