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.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• At least 15 teenagers were injured Saturday night after a bonfire flared up during a party in Douglasville, Georgia, fire officials said.
• The incident occurred when guests were gathered around a bonfire that unexpectedly grew in intensity, throwing embers and debris into the crowd.
• Firefighters and emergency medical services responded, treating victims at the scene and transporting several to area hospitals.
• Injuries were reported to include burns, cuts and smoke inhalation; at least five teens were hospitalized in serious but non-life-threatening condition.
• Investigators from the Douglas County Fire Department and law enforcement are reviewing the circumstances of the flare-up.

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — At least 15 teenagers were injured Saturday night when a bonfire unexpectedly increased in size and intensity at a party in Douglasville, Georgia, authorities said.

The incident occurred in a rural area where a group of teens had gathered around a bonfire; witnesses reported that shifting embers and debris were propelled into the crowd as the fire flared up.

Emergency responders, including fire crews and EMS personnel, arrived on scene and treated numerous victims for burns, cuts and smoke inhalation before transporting several to nearby hospitals for further care.

At least five of the injured were reported in serious but non-life-threatening condition, Douglas County Fire officials said, while others were treated and released from medical facilities.

Investigators from the Douglas County Fire Department and local law enforcement are reviewing the circumstances that led to the flare-up as part of the ongoing response.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Lee County, Mississippi, officials opened a standalone firehouse in Saltillo and launched weekday fire strike teams to enhance emergency response coverage, fire leaders said.
• The Lee County Fire Strike Team began full-time operations Jan. 5 to support volunteer departments during weekday hours.
• The new Saltillo station provides a dedicated base for full-time crew operations separate from the volunteer firehouse.
• One strike team is stationed in Saltillo and another in Verona to reduce response times in different parts of the county.
• Officials hope faster responses and additional coverage will lower fire insurance ratings in underserved areas.

SALTILLO, MS — Lee County fire officials have expanded emergency coverage by opening a standalone firehouse in Saltillo and deploying full-time fire strike teams to bolster volunteer fire departments and improve response times, authorities said.

The Lee County Fire Strike Team, established Jan. 5, operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to support volunteer crews who often face challenges responding to calls during weekday working hours, county leaders reported.

Last week, the Saltillo Fire Department moved into its first stand-alone fire station, creating a second staffed firehouse in the city and providing a permanent base of operations for paid firefighters outside the volunteer facility.

County supervisors have positioned one strike team in Saltillo and another in Verona, using Interstate 22 as the dividing line, to ensure broader weekday coverage and quicker arrival times on fire and medical calls.

Officials said the added staffing and resources aim to supplement volunteer departments, reduce response intervals and potentially improve fire insurance ratings for rural residents.