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.

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.

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.

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.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) said blocked fire hydrants are delaying firefighting efforts across New York City.
• Officials reported a 157% increase in 311 complaints about blocked hydrants over six years.
• FDNY has begun issuing criminal summonses and fines to drivers blocking hydrants at active fire scenes.
• Fire department leaders cited incidents where blocked hydrants forced crews to find alternate water sources.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) warned this week that illegally parked vehicles blocking fire hydrants are hampering firefighting operations and can delay critical water access during emergencies.

FDNY officials said the number of complaints to the city’s 311 system about blocked hydrants climbed 157% over the past six years, with notable concentrations in parts of Queens and Brooklyn.

Department leaders cited multiple incidents, including a fatal Bronx fire response in early 2025, where a blocked hydrant forced crews to use alternative water sources and extend hose lines to reach the blaze.

In response, the FDNY has begun issuing criminal summonses and steep fines — ranging from $2,500 to $4,000 — to drivers who block hydrants at active fire scenes, officials said.

Fire department leadership emphasized that quick access to functioning hydrants is essential for effective firefighting and public safety, especially in densely populated urban areas.

Authorities continue to urge residents to avoid parking within 15 feet of fire hydrants and to report obstructions through the city’s 311 system to support emergency response efforts.