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Pennsylvania Company Restores FDNY Tower Ladder Damaged on 9/11

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Pennsylvania Company Restores FDNY Tower Ladder Damaged on 9/11

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A Pennsylvania apparatus company is restoring an FDNY Tower Ladder truck that was damaged during the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks.
• The restoration is underway in New Holland, Pa., ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks this fall.
• The truck’s cab was crushed by falling debris during the attacks, and it had been scheduled for scrap before being saved by a private buyer.
• 10-8 Emergency Vehicle Service is working on returning the apparatus to display condition with support from Seagrave parts sourcing.
• Once complete, the restored apparatus will be displayed publicly and preserved as a historical memorial.

(NEW HOLLAND, PA —) A Pennsylvania emergency vehicle service company is restoring a Fire Department of New York Tower Ladder truck that was badly damaged during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, officials said.

The apparatus, which had its cab crushed by falling debris as firefighters responded to the World Trade Center, was saved from being scrapped and is now being refurbished at 10-8 Emergency Vehicle Service in New Holland ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks later this year.

The truck was purchased by a private buyer after being decommissioned and stripped of lights and equipment, and restoration efforts began after years of planning and acquisition challenges.

Technicians at the Pennsylvania business sourced parts and expertise, including support from Seagrave, the original manufacturer, to address the complex repairs needed to return the vehicle to display condition.

Once the work is complete, the restored Tower Ladder will receive new decals and paint before being placed on public exhibit to honor the legacy of the firefighters who served and perished on 9/11.

Fort Worth Workers’ Comp Provider Approves Care for Injured Firefighter After Backlash

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Fort Worth Workers’ Comp Provider Approves Care for Injured Firefighter After Backlash

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A Fort Worth, Texas, workers’ compensation provider reversed a denial and agreed to cover critical care for a severely injured firefighter after public and political backlash.
• The firefighter, Caleb Halvorson, was badly burned when a roof collapsed during a September 2025 house fire.
• The insurer initially denied coverage for therapies and devices needed for his recovery.
• City officials and state lawmakers criticized the denial and pressured the provider to approve the treatment.
• The incident highlights ongoing challenges with workers’ compensation approvals for injured first responders.

(FORT WORTH, TX —) A workers’ compensation provider used by the City of Fort Worth will cover critical treatments for a firefighter severely injured in the line of duty after reversing earlier denials in the face of public and political pressure.

Firefighter Caleb Halvorson suffered second- and third-degree burns and other injuries in September 2025 when the roof of a house collapsed on him during a fire response, according to statements shared by the firefighter and local officials.

Halvorson’s treatments, including specialized surgeries and a medical device to aid knee recovery, were initially denied by the city’s workers’ comp provider. The denials drew widespread criticism from community members, city council officials and state legislators.

Fort Worth City Council member Charles Lauersdorf publicly condemned the insurer’s actions, and state representatives said they would monitor compliance to ensure Halvorson receives continued care, officials said.

In response to the backlash, the provider reversed its position and agreed to fund the previously denied care, officials and Halvorson said. The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of how workers’ compensation systems handle complex, costly injury claims for first responders.

Oregon Firefighters Rescue Man Pinned in Quarry Wall Incident

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By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Oregon firefighters rescued a man pinned between a concrete wall and quarry stone after an industrial accident.
• The crew used specialized rigging equipment and coordinated team efforts to stabilize the scene.
• The victim was extricated and transported to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
• Mutual aid partners assisted on scene, including technical rescue units and medical personnel.
• The incident occurred at a quarry site; state investigators are reviewing safety measures.

(OREGON —) Firefighters in Oregon successfully rescued a man pinned between a concrete wall and quarry stone at an industrial site, officials said. Emergency crews responded after receiving a report of an entrapment involving heavy materials at a quarry location.

Technical rescue teams from local fire departments deployed specialized rigging systems and coordinated efforts to stabilize the crushed stone and wall structure, ensuring the safety of both the trapped individual and responders.

After several minutes of careful operations, crews were able to extricate the victim from the entrapment. The man was reported to be conscious and was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Mutual aid resources, including additional technical rescue units and medical personnel, assisted at the scene to support the extrication and provide on-site care. The response highlighted interagency coordination amid a complex rescue.

State occupational safety officials are reviewing the incident to assess worksite conditions and determine contributing factors, with the investigation ongoing and no citations reported at publishing time.

Lawnside Fire Department Left Without Working Trucks Amid Funding Dispute

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Lawnside Fire Department Left Without Working Trucks Amid Funding Dispute

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• The Lawnside Fire Department in New Jersey is currently without any working fire trucks amid a funding dispute with borough officials.
• All three of the department’s trucks are inoperable, forcing the volunteer department to borrow apparatus from neighboring towns.
• Fire Chief Mark Jay said limited funding delayed repairs and could endanger public safety, according to a letter to borough officials.
• Borough officials say funding approvals were made once they were aware of the inoperable equipment.
• The dispute highlights ongoing challenges for small fire departments managing aging apparatus under tight budgets.

(LAWNSIDE BOROUGH, NJ —) The Lawnside Fire Department in New Jersey is operating without a single working fire truck, forcing the volunteer department to borrow apparatus from neighboring Haddon Heights and Barrington while a funding dispute with borough officials continues, authorities said.

The Lawnside Fire Department had to borrow a fire truck from Haddon Heights and Barrington after all three of their fire trucks were inoperable, the fire chief said in a letter to borough officials.
Matthew Enuco/TNS

All three of the department’s fire trucks are currently inoperable: one is out for repairs, another remains under extended maintenance, and the third is sidelined, according to a letter from Fire Chief Mark Jay to borough leaders.

Jay wrote that chronic budget restrictions have delayed repairs and left the historically Black volunteer department without reliable response vehicles, creating potential risks for residents.

Lawnside Mayor Mary Ann Wardlow responded that borough officials approved repair funding after learning the last operational truck had failed, saying the issue was addressed within 24 hours of notification.

The department previously posted notices about equipment failures, including a breakdown that occurred while it was transporting Santa Claus around town on Christmas Eve.

The situation underscores the broader challenges many small fire departments face maintaining aging apparatus on limited budgets, as repair costs and vehicle replacement expenses continue to rise.

Massive Winter Storm Causes 100-Vehicle Pileup on Michigan Interstate

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Massive Winter Storm Causes 100-Vehicle Pileup on Michigan Interstate

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• More than 100 vehicles were involved in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 196 near Hudsonville and Zeeland, Michigan, during a snowstorm on Monday.
• The Michigan State Police closed both directions of the interstate while emergency responders worked the scene.
• The crash involved numerous cars and more than 30 semitrailer trucks, with multiple injuries reported; authorities said no fatalities had been reported.
• Stranded motorists were bused to a shelter at Hudsonville High School amid hazardous winter conditions.
• The pileup occurred amid a major winter storm that prompted travel warnings across several states.

(HUDSONVILLE/ZEELAND TOWNSHIP, MI —) A severe winter storm led to a massive pileup involving more than 100 vehicles on Interstate 196 southwest of Grand Rapids on Monday, authorities said, forcing the closure of both directions of the highway as emergency crews responded.

The Michigan State Police reported that the crash involved numerous passenger vehicles and more than 30 semitrailer trucks amid whiteout conditions from lake-effect snow and icy roads, contributing to vehicles colliding or sliding off the roadway.

Ottawa County deputies and other responders worked the scene after the first reports around mid-morning, coordinating efforts to assist stranded motorists and clear the tangled wreckage.

Multiple people sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals; the Michigan State Police said no deaths had been reported in connection with the incident.

Due to hazardous conditions and the extent of the crash, officials arranged buses from Hudsonville Public Schools and local transit to transport motorists to Hudsonville High School for shelter and assistance.

The pileup occurred amid a broader winter storm that prompted National Weather Service travel warnings across much of the northern and eastern United States.

Montana Search and Rescue Team Celebrates First Anniversary

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Montana Search and Rescue Team Celebrates First Anniversary

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Search and Rescue of Mineral County in Montana marked its first anniversary since forming in January 2025 to provide coordinated rescue services.
• The all-volunteer organization operates under a memorandum of understanding with the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office.
• Team members provide search, stabilization and evacuation support for residents and outdoor recreation visitors.
• The unit has responded to mutual-aid requests and worked closely with fire, EMS and law enforcement agencies.

MINERAL COUNTY, MT — Search and Rescue of Mineral County commemorated its first year of operations this month, a milestone for the volunteer organization that provides coordinated rescue services for residents and visitors in western Montana.

Search and Rescue of Mineral County/Facebook

Established in January 2025 through a memorandum of understanding with the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, the team operates under the sheriff’s supervision to locate, stabilize and evacuate people in distress, officials said.

The unit is staffed entirely by volunteers and funded through limited grants and donations, with many members using personal equipment and vehicles for training and missions, according to department leaders.

During its first year, the team has responded to incidents both within the county and via mutual aid, including a rescue of an injured snowmobiler alongside agencies such as the West End Fire Department and Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office in Idaho.

The organization continues to seek additional volunteers, operating funds and facilities to support equipment storage and reduce response times, officials said.

Missouri Rural Volunteer Fire Departments Grapple With Rising Calls and Staffing Strains

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Missouri Rural Volunteer Fire Departments Grapple With Rising Calls and Staffing Strains

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Rural volunteer fire departments in Buchanan County, Missouri, are experiencing increasing emergency call volumes.
• Fire chiefs say fewer available responders and limited funding are straining resources.
• Roughly 70%–75% of Missouri fire departments rely on volunteers, according to research data.
• Local crews are adjusting personal schedules to meet demand, highlighting community service commitments.

BUCHANAN COUNTY, MO — Volunteer fire departments in rural Buchanan County report increasing emergency call volumes and challenges in maintaining adequate staffing as community demands grow.

South Buchannan County FPD Engine 34.
South Buchannan County Fire Protection District/Facebook

Fire officials said some volunteers have to interrupt personal activities, including family time and regular employment, to respond to emergencies ranging from medical calls to brush and wildland fires across service areas southwest of St. Joseph.

Approximately 70% to 75% of Missouri’s fire departments are staffed by volunteers, and local leaders said the combination of higher call frequency, population changes and busy personal schedules is placing additional pressure on limited volunteer rosters.

Chiefs from multiple rural districts noted that recruitment and retention of volunteers remain ongoing concerns, with constrained funding and competing personal commitments cited as key factors affecting member availability.

Department leaders said they are striving to meet the evolving needs of their communities while balancing response capabilities and volunteer resources, but did not provide specific timelines for addressing staffing gaps.

Michigan City Settles Gender Discrimination Lawsuit With First Female Firefighter

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Michigan City Settles Gender Discrimination Lawsuit With First Female Firefighter

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Michigan City agreed to a gender discrimination lawsuit settlement with its first female firefighter, according to court filings.
• The lawsuit alleged discriminatory treatment after she was hired in 2018 and later promoted to lieutenant.
• The plaintiff claimed department members subjected her to hostile work conditions and retaliation.
• The city approved a settlement to resolve the case without admitting wrongdoing.

MICHIGAN CITY, IN — Michigan City approved a settlement in a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by the city’s first female firefighter, who alleged she was subjected to discriminatory treatment and retaliation by colleagues and supervisors after joining the fire department in 2018.

Jackson Station 1.
City of Jackson Fire Department/Facebook

The plaintiff, who rose to the rank of lieutenant, alleged that department personnel engaged in conduct that created a hostile work environment and that she faced retaliation after reporting concerns to leadership, according to legal filings.

City officials voted in late 2025 to resolve the lawsuit through a settlement, with terms that include monetary compensation to the firefighter and an agreement to end the litigation without any admission of liability.

Representatives for the Michigan City Fire Department and city leadership confirmed the settlement but did not provide specifics on the agreement, citing confidentiality provisions, while saying they are committed to equitable workplace practices.

The case drew attention locally as one of the first high-profile gender discrimination actions involving the department, and the settlement ends the legal dispute pending in state or federal court.

Cass County to Build First Live Fire Training Tower With Community Grant

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Cass County to Build First Live Fire Training Tower With Community Grant

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A Cass County Community Foundation grant of $30,000 is helping fund construction of the county’s first live fire training tower in Logansport, Indiana.
• The four-story structure is being built at Cass County Emergency Management Agency grounds to serve all 11 county fire departments.
• The tower will allow in-county live fire, ladder, hose, search and rescue and other training previously requiring travel out of county.
• Officials said the new facility could improve Insurance Services Organization ratings, potentially lowering local insurance rates.

CASS COUNTY, IN — A $30,000 grant from the Cass County Community Foundation is funding construction of the county’s first live fire training tower at the Cass County Emergency Management Agency grounds in Logansport.

A new four-story fire training tower, funded by a $30,000 Cass County Community Foundation grant, is rising at the Cass County EMA to serve all 11 county fire departments.
Cass County Emergency Management Agency/Facebook

Officials said the four-story structure will provide local fire departments with the ability to conduct live fire training, ladder work, hose advancement, search and rescue drills and other essential skills training without leaving the county.

Cass County has 11 fire departments but previously lacked an in-county facility that met Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirements for live fire exercises; the EMA site was selected because it meets permitting and safety criteria.

The project has involved support from local agencies and volunteers, with contributions including ground preparation, crane services and material donations, and construction is expected to be completed by summer.

Officials said availability of the training tower may increase points toward fire department Insurance Services Organization ratings, which can translate to lower insurance rates for homes and businesses in the county.

Oregon Fire Department Grant Aims to Reduce Non-Emergency Lift-Assist Responses

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Oregon Fire Department Grant Aims to Reduce Non-Emergency Lift-Assist Responses

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Albany Fire Department used more than $68,000 in state grant funds to buy inflatable lifting chairs and train care facility staff to assist with non-injury falls.
• The grant came from the Oregon Department of Human Services as part of broader funding to improve emergency services for long-term care residents.
• Fire officials said lift-assist calls account for about 30% of annual responses, with nearly 900 in 2024.
• After training, local care facilities have used the equipment at least seven times to assist residents.

ALBANY, OR — The Albany Fire Department received state grant funding to equip local care facilities with inflatable lift-assist chairs and provide training to reduce non-emergency calls for help with falls by residents.

Officials said more than $68,000 from the Oregon Department of Human Services was used to purchase 13 lift devices and support training last month for staff at multiple care facilities, including Lydia’s House at Mennonite Village and Bonaventure.

Fire Department EMS Chief Ray Wooldridge said lift assists represented about 30% of the department’s call volume in 2024, totaling nearly 900 calls, and the initiative is intended to free first responders for emergencies.

Community paramedic Hilary Kosmicki said the training, completed in mid-December, has already led to at least seven successful uses of the new equipment by facility staff.

The grant is part of a broader set of awards through the state’s Quality Care Fund aimed at improving services for older adults in long-term care settings, with funding allocated through Dec. 2026.

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