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Retired FF/EMT Aids Victims in Rhode Island Hockey Arena Shooting

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By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing:

• A retired firefighter and EMT provided first aid to victims at a Rhode Island hockey arena shooting before emergency crews arrived.
• The incident occurred Monday at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, where a shooter opened fire during a game.
• The retired responder, identified as Mark Rice, treated multiple wounded people using his training and available supplies.
• Officials said the actions helped stabilize victims prior to EMS transport as police secured the scene.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — A retired firefighter and emergency medical technician rendered aid to multiple victims of a shooting Monday at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, authorities said.

The incident unfolded during a high school hockey game in Pawtucket when a person opened fire in the stands, prompting bystanders and officials to intervene and law enforcement to respond.

Retired firefighter and EMT Mark Rice, who was attending the game, applied his medical training to treat wounded victims before professional emergency medical services arrived on scene, Pawtucket police said.

Police and EMS subsequently transported injured people to area hospitals, where they were being treated for their injuries. The department credited bystanders and trained responders for assisting prior to responders entering the scene.

Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including any potential motives, and have urged members of the public with information to contact law enforcement.

Newly Trained California Firefighters Assigned to Reopen Engine Company

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Newly Trained California Firefighters Assigned to Reopen Engine Company

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing:

• A group of newly certified firefighters completed training this month to staff an engine company in Del Rey Oaks, California, reopening the unit that was previously closed.
• The recruits finished more than 800 hours of state-mandated academy training, including live fire, pump operations and emergency response skills.
• Fire department leaders say the engine company will improve response times and enhance coverage for the community.
• Officials welcomed the new firefighters at a ceremony recognizing their transition from trainees to frontline personnel.

DEL REY OAKS, CALIF. — A cohort of newly trained firefighters has completed required academy instruction and will staff a previously closed engine company in Del Rey Oaks, officials said.

The group finished more than 800 hours of training that included critical skills such as live fire attack, hose handling, ladder operations and incident command before being cleared for frontline duty.

Del Rey Oaks Fire Department leadership said the reopening of the engine company will bolster emergency response capabilities and reduce arrival times to incidents in the city and surrounding areas.

A graduation ceremony was held this week to recognize the recruits’ successful completion of training and their official assignment to the department’s roster of active personnel.

Officials said the new engine company is expected to be fully operational in the coming days as the firefighters begin regular shift assignments.

Sacramento Fire Crews Rescue Workers After Scaffolding Collapse at High-Rise Construction Site

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Sacramento Fire Crews Rescue Workers After Scaffolding Collapse at High-Rise Construction Site

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing:

• Two construction workers were left dangling outside an eight-story high-rise in Sacramento, Calif., after scaffolding supporting them partially collapsed Wednesday morning.
• Sacramento Fire Department crews responded to the mass-timber building on 15th and Q streets around 9:14 a.m. and executed a rope rescue from above the workers.
• One worker was suspended by a safety harness and the other remained on the tilted platform as firefighters secured both and lowered them to the ground safely.
• Officials said neither worker was injured; the incident is expected to be reviewed by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — Firefighters with the Sacramento Fire Department rescued two construction workers Wednesday after scaffolding on an eight-story midtown high-rise partially failed and left them stranded outside the building under construction.

Deputy officials said crews responded around 9:14 a.m. to the structure at 1430 Q Street after calls reported workers stranded on the scaffolding, which had tilted roughly 45 degrees due to a suspected motor or braking system failure.

One worker was suspended by a safety harness attached to the building and the other remained on the collapsed section as special rescue teams accessed the roof and descended to secure both men with rope-and-harness systems.

Fire Chief Chris Costamagna confirmed both workers were brought safely to the ground a little more than an hour after the initial call, and neither required treatment for injuries.

Sacramento Fire Department personnel worked with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to de-energize power lines near the site before completing the rescue. The incident is expected to be reviewed by Cal-OSHA, officials said.

Connecticut Fire Districts Sue After Vote to Dissolve Volunteer Fire Department

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Connecticut Fire Districts Sue After Vote to Dissolve Volunteer Fire Department

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing:

• Four Connecticut fire districts filed a federal lawsuit after officials voted to dissolve a volunteer fire department in East Hartford.
• Plaintiffs allege officials violated their constitutional rights and breached contracts related to department operation and property.
• The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on Feb. 18, 2026.
• Local leaders said the dissolution stems from long-standing disputes over management, finances and district governance.

HARTFORD, CONN. — Four independent fire districts in Connecticut filed a federal lawsuit this week challenging the decision by East Hartford officials to dissolve a volunteer fire department and assume responsibility for fire services.

Yantic Fire Engine Company No.1/Facebook

The complaint, filed Feb. 18 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, alleges that town leaders violated plaintiffs’ constitutional rights and breached contracts by voting to disband the volunteer department and seize its assets.

According to court filings, the dispute stems from ongoing disagreements over governance, budget management and operational oversight between municipal officials and the independent fire districts that supported the volunteer department. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and damages, asserting that the officials acted without proper authority and due process.

Town representatives have said they moved to dissolve the volunteer department to streamline services and address perceived inefficiencies, though the lawsuit contends those actions harmed the districts and their members.

The case is pending, and the federal court has not yet scheduled hearings or issued rulings on the constitutional and contractual claims raised by the plaintiffs.

Propane Line Damaged by Snow Causes Church Explosion, Injures Fire Chief, Firefighters in New York

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Propane Line Damaged by Snow Causes Church Explosion, Injures Fire Chief, Firefighters in New York

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing:

• A propane line damaged by heavy snow caused a church explosion in Boonville, New York, early Feb. 17, injuring five people, including the fire chief and four firefighters.
• The blast occurred at Abundant Life Fellowship Church on State Route 12 as firefighters responded to a reported gas odor and attempted to shut off power.
• Officials say the explosion happened after the church’s roof slumped under snow weight, compromising the propane line and allowing gas to accumulate before ignition.
• Victims were transported to area hospitals with multiple individuals in critical condition; the church was destroyed and there is no indication of criminal activity.

BOONVILLE, N.Y. — A damaged propane line blamed on heavy snow accumulation led to a catastrophic explosion at the Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Boonville on Feb. 17, critically injuring the town’s fire chief and several firefighters, authorities said.

New York State Police said the blast occurred as department personnel were responding to reports of a gas odor and attempting to locate the electrical panel to shut off power to the building on State Route 12 when the furnace activated and triggered the explosion.

Officials determined the church’s roof had sagged under the weight of heavy snow, damaging a propane fuel line that allowed gas to build up inside the structure before ignition, according to a state police release.

Among the five people taken to hospitals were Boonville Fire Chief David Pritchard Jr. and four firefighters; some remained in critical condition days after the blast, and the church was considered destroyed.

State police said there was no indication of criminal activity, and the investigation remains active as authorities continue to examine the circumstances of the explosion.

Colorado Residents Rally Behind Fire Chief Amid Termination Process

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Colorado Residents Rally Behind Fire Chief Amid Termination Process

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Residents in Westminster, Colorado, rallied in support of Fire Chief Bill Sendelbach as the city’s termination process advanced.
• Supporters launched a petition and fundraiser after the City Council voted on Feb. 3 to move forward with a separation agreement.
• The council cited internal issues and disagreements with the chief as reasons for its action.
• Supporters said Sendelbach’s leadership had positively impacted the fire department and public safety.

WESTMINSTER, COLO. — Residents of Westminster, Colorado, have organized a petition and fundraiser in support of Fire Chief Bill Sendelbach as city officials proceed with a termination process, community members and local reports said.

The Westminster City Council voted Feb. 3 to move forward with a separation agreement for Sendelbach, citing internal department issues and disagreements between council members and the fire chief.

In response, supporters launched a petition and organized fundraising efforts to back the chief, asserting that Sendelbach’s leadership had strengthened the fire department and contributed to public safety in the community.

City officials have not released a timeline for when the separation agreement will be finalized, and the process is ongoing as discussions continue among council members, Sendelbach and stakeholders.

Multi-vehicle Pileup in Colorado Kills Four, Injures Dozens Amid Winter Weather

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Multi-vehicle Pileup in Colorado Kills Four, Injures Dozens Amid Winter Weather

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A 30-vehicle pileup on Interstate 70 near Limon, Colorado, killed four people and injured at least 29 others Friday.
• The crash occurred during severe winter weather with patchy fog and treacherous conditions, state troopers reported.
• Emergency responders from multiple agencies worked through the night to treat and transport victims.
• Interstate 70 was closed in both directions while crews cleared the scene and investigated the incident.

LIMON, COLO. — Four people were killed and at least 29 others were injured Friday in a 30-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 near Limon, Colorado, authorities said, as emergency responders worked through hazardous winter weather conditions.

Colorado State Patrol reported that the collisions began in patchy fog and slick pavement conditions late Friday afternoon, when visibility and roadway traction deteriorated rapidly along the east-west interstate corridor.

Multiple fire departments, EMS units and law enforcement agencies responded to the mass-casualty incident, treating victims on scene and transporting the injured to area hospitals. At least 10 victims were reported in critical condition, officials said.

Interstate 70 was temporarily closed in both directions around the crash site as crews conducted rescue, recovery and clearing operations through the night, the patrol said.

Troopers continue to investigate the incident, including the role of weather and road conditions in the sequence of collisions, and will release additional details as they become available.

IAFC Selects Former Acting U.S. Fire Administrator as CEO

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IAFC Selects Former Acting U.S. Fire Administrator as CEO

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) selected Peter “Chris” Michaels as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective March 2.
• Michaels previously served as acting U.S. Fire Administrator and as North Carolina’s state fire marshal.
• He succeeds William “Bill” Bracic, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
• The IAFC board approved the appointment at its annual Winter Fire Chiefs Conference.

LEXINGTON, KY. — The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has named Peter “Chris” Michaels as its next chief executive officer, with his tenure set to begin March 2, the organization announced this week.

Donna Black.
International Associations of Fire Chiefs

Michaels, who previously served as acting U.S. Fire Administrator within the U.S. Fire Administration and as state fire marshal for North Carolina, brings more than three decades of fire service leadership experience to the position, IAFC officials said.

The IAFC Board of Directors approved Michaels’ appointment during the association’s Winter Fire Chiefs Conference held in Lexington, Kentucky, following the announcement that longtime CEO William “Bill” Bracic will retire.

Bracic has led the IAFC since 2007 and informed the board earlier this year of his plans to retire, officials said. The association described Michaels as a leader with “deep fire service roots and federal experience.”

Michaels will begin his duties in March, and IAFC representatives said transition planning is underway to support continuity of operations.

Oklahoma Wildfires Burn More Than 155,000 Acres; Four Firefighters Injured

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Oklahoma Wildfires Burn More Than 155,000 Acres; Four Firefighters Injured

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Wildfires burning across parts of Oklahoma have consumed more than 155,000 acres, prompting evacuations and fire response efforts.
• Four firefighters were injured battling the blazes, with at least one requiring hospital treatment, state officials said.
• High winds and dry conditions have driven fire growth and complicated suppression efforts across multiple counties.
• Evacuation orders remain in effect in some impacted communities as responders continue containment operations.

OKLAHOMA — Wildfires burning across Oklahoma have scorched over 155,000 acres and resulted in injuries to four firefighters as crews work to contain the blazes, state and local officials said.

The fires, which have impacted multiple counties in the state, spread rapidly in recent days amid persistent high winds and dry conditions that have challenged containment efforts, authorities said.

During firefighting operations, four personnel were injured, with at least one firefighter transported to a hospital for treatment, according to statements from fire officials.

Authorities have issued evacuation orders for several communities in the path of the fires, and residents in affected areas have been urged to leave as crews continue suppression missions.

State and local fire agencies are coordinating response efforts, and officials said additional resources have been mobilized to support containment and protect structures in threatened areas.

Minnesota Departments Remember First Responders Slain During Domestic Violence Call

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Minnesota Departments Remember First Responders Slain During Domestic Violence Call

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A memorial service honored two Minnesota first responders killed during a 2019 domestic violence call in Minneapolis.
• Firefighter Jason “Jake” Thoreson and Minneapolis Police Officer Brian Hanson were killed at a duplex fire while assisting other officers.
• The event included remarks from department leaders, family members and colleagues.
• Attendees reaffirmed commitment to remembrance and support for affected families.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. — Firefighters and law enforcement officers gathered this week to honor the memories of Firefighter Jason “Jake” Thoreson and Minneapolis Police Officer Brian Hanson, who were killed in the line of duty during a 2019 domestic violence response.

City of Burnsville/Facebook

Thoreson and Hanson died while responding to a report of a domestic violence incident that escalated into a fatal attack as they operated at a duplex fire in north Minneapolis, according to officials and family accounts shared at the ceremony.

The memorial service included remarks from Fire Department and Police Department leaders, who highlighted the service and sacrifice of both men and reflected on their enduring impact within the public safety community.

Family members and colleagues also spoke at the event, sharing personal reflections and honoring the careers and lives of Thoreson and Hanson.

Attendees reaffirmed support for the families of the fallen and acknowledged the continued risks faced by first responders on complex calls, with plans for ongoing remembrance activities.

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