Anniston, Ala. — Firefighters arrived within 3 minutes of dispatch and rescued two people trapped inside a burning home on Wilmer Avenue. FireRescue1
Patient status: One person was transported for smoke inhalation; the second was treated on scene. FireRescue1
Operations: Crews brought the fire under control and cleared after ensuring scene safety. Cause under investigation.FireRescue1
Quote: “Today’s response reflects the training, readiness and dedication of our firefighters,” said Chief Johnnie Phelps. FireRescue1
ANNISTON, Ala. — Anniston firefighters rescued two occupants from a burning residence Monday morning after arriving within minutes of the 10:08 a.m. dispatch to Wilmer Avenue, city officials said. Crews located both victims inside, removed them to safety and quickly contained the fire. One person was transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation; the second was evaluated on scene and not injured. FireRescue1
In a statement, Fire Chief Johnnie Phelps praised the companies’ performance, citing training and readiness that enabled immediate rescue operations upon arrival. Investigators are working to determine the origin and cause of the blaze. FireRescue1
Bangor Township, Mich. — The Antique Toy & Firehouse Museum has acquired a rare FDNY Super Tender, reuniting it with the museum’s FDNY Super Pumper after a five-day cross-country trek from California. FireRescue1
Provenance: The Super Tender was deaccessioned by FDNY in 1989 and purchased by Hewy Wick, later owned by Ruth Wick; it was restored and often displayed at 9/11 memorial events. FireRescue1
System specs: The 1964 Super Pumper System—built for NYC industrial-scale incidents—was rated at 8,800 gpm; the Tender carried LDH, a 10,000-gpm monitor, and support equipment. FireRescue1
How it happened: A community fundraising drive plus a $100,000 challenge grant from Stewart & Kathryn McMillan (TFT) funded the acquisition and transport. FireRescue1
BANGOR TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A storied piece of New York fireground history is back beside its legendary partner. After museum volunteers secured the vehicle in California on Dec. 10 and coordinated a five-day haul, the FDNY Super Tender arrived in Michigan on Dec. 15, joining the FDNY Super Pumper already on display at the Antique Toy & Firehouse Museum—one of the largest fire collections in the country. “Now the work begins,” said museum vice-chair Mike Snyder, noting restoration and exhibit prep ahead. FireRescue1
The former FDNY Super Tender.
Commissioned in 1964, the Super Pumper System was FDNY’s answer to massive water-supply demands at refineries, piers and heavy industry—moving up to 8,800 gallons per minute. The Super Tender served as the logistics and firepower backbone, bringing large-diameter hose, a 10,000-gpm water monitor, and additional equipment to sustain long-duration operations. Together, the pair became synonymous with FDNY’s high-capacity tactics for extraordinary incidents. FireRescue1
The Tender’s modern journey traces to its 1989 deaccession, when Hewy Wick purchased and restored the unit, showing it for decades at community events—especially ceremonies commemorating 9/11. Following Ruth Wick’s stewardship, the museum mobilized a donor effort to bring the apparatus east. The campaign was capped by a $100,000 challenge grant from Stewart and Kathryn McMillan; Stewart, the former Task Force Tips CEO, first witnessed the system working a New York fire as a young firefighter in 1971. FireRescue1
With the Super Tender now parked alongside the Super Pumper, museum staff say they’ll create an interpretive exhibit that explains how the system moved water at volumes rarely seen today and influenced large-flow operations across the fire service. FireRescue1
Truckee, Calif. — Firefighters used an aerial ladder as a bridge to rescue nine people cut off by a surging South Yuba River near Donner Summit; no injuries reported. FireRescue1
Tactics: Crews extended the ladder horizontally over fast-moving water so occupants could walk out to the road. Multiple agencies assisted, including CAL FIRE, Olympic Valley Fire, and California State Parks. FireRescue1
Setting: The red, peaked-roof house sits right on the river’s edge and has required rescues in past high-water events dating back decades. FireRescue1
Safety message: Officials urged the public to stay away from swollen rivers and never enter floodwaters as more rain was forecast. FireRescue1
TRUCKEE, Calif. — Truckee firefighters evacuated nine people from a riverside home after heavy rains swelled the South Yuba River and cut off access to the property Sunday, prompting a creative technical rescue with an aerial ladder deployed as a horizontal bridge, officials said. No injuries were reported. FireRescue1
Battalion Chief Ryan Ochoa said crews extended the truck’s ladder across the fast current to reach occupants who were surrounded as water flowed around both sides of the structure. One by one, residents walked over the ladder to the roadway and then left in their own vehicles. The house, which sits on a granite slab at the river’s edge, has seen similar rescues in past high-water years, he noted. FireRescue1
The operation drew support from CAL FIRE, the Olympic Valley Fire Department, and California State Parks. With more rain expected, authorities warned people to keep clear of riverbanks and avoid attempting to drive or wade through floodwaters. FireRescue1
Lowell, Mass. — First responders took 100 local kids (ages 10–14) holiday shopping at Target during the annual Heroes & Helpers event. FireRescue1
How it worked: Each child paired with a cop, firefighter or EMT and received a $100 gift card; Target funded $2,500 in cards. FireRescue1
Who helped:Lowell Police & Fire, Mass. State Police, Pridestar Trinity EMS, and the Middlesex DA’s Officevolunteered. FireRescue1
Extra support:Greater Lowell Community Foundation + PAL of Massachusetts added $7,500; Pridestar Trinity EMS chipped in $500; AT&T supported PAL. FireRescue1
LOWELL, Mass. — Holiday cheer filled a city Target as police officers, firefighters, EMTs and prosecutors paired up with 100 Lowell children for the annual Heroes & Helpers shopping event, organizers said. Each child received a $100 gift card and shopped alongside a first responder, choosing gifts for themselves and loved ones. FireRescue1
The outing drew volunteers from Lowell Police and Fire, Massachusetts State Police, Pridestar Trinity EMS, and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Superintendent Greg Hudon said the day creates a positive, lasting connectionbetween youth and first responders, particularly for kids from under-resourced neighborhoods selected with help from Lowell Public Schools. FireRescue1
Target underwrote the event with $2,500 in gift cards, and community partners expanded the effort: the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and Police Activities League of Massachusetts (PAL) contributed $7,500; Pridestar Trinity EMS added $500 to cover any overages; and AT&T provided PAL support. Middlesex DA Marian Ryan and her team also joined the shopping crews. FireRescue1
Organizers say Heroes & Helpers offers first responders—who regularly confront trauma on duty—an opportunity to share a joyful, uplifting experience with local families while building trust that lasts beyond the holidays. FireRescue1
DeKalb County, Ga. —Firefighter Eboni Kennedy lost a leg and suffered additional traumatic injuries after an on-duty fire engine crash earlier this month; she has undergone multiple surgeries and faces a long recovery. FireRescue1
Crash details: The engine was responding on Rockbridge Road when it struck a tree, trapping the crew; three members were onboard, with Kennedy the most seriously hurt. Cause under investigation.FireRescue1+1
Support: A GoFundMe campaign seeks $100,000 to help cover medical expenses. Kennedy had just joined the department in August after 10 months in the academy. FireRescue1+1
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A DeKalb County firefighter who recently completed academy training has lost a leg and remains in recovery after a fire engine crash while responding to a call, officials and local outlets said.
Firefighter Eboni Kennedy was one of three members riding the apparatus when the engine left the roadway and hit a tree on Rockbridge Road, trapping the crew. Kennedy sustained the most serious injuries and has undergone multiple surgeries, according to reports. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. FireRescue1+1
Kennedy, who joined DeKalb County Fire Rescue in August after 10 months in the academy, spoke from her hospital room about the difficult road ahead. Colleagues and community members have launched a GoFundMe with a goal of $100,000 to offset medical costs during her recovery. FireRescue1+1
Department officials said they are reviewing the incident and providing support resources for Kennedy, her crew and their families. Further updates on the investigation will be released as available. FireRescue1
Bloom Township, Ohio — A 96-year-old woman died and 10 people were hospitalized after a carbon monoxide (CO) leak, including 7 Bloom Township firefighters who became ill during the response. FireRescue1
Scene facts: Crews found multiple people and a pet inside showing CO symptoms; indoor levels measured ~200 ppm. FireRescue1
Responder impact: One firefighter initially entered without a working CO detector; a second firefighter’s meter alarmed, prompting an evacuation. All 7 firefighters were treated and released (some returned to duty the same day). FireRescue1
BLOOM TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A carbon monoxide emergency that began with a call from a 96-year-old homeowner left her dead and sent three civilians and seven firefighters to area hospitals Friday morning, officials said. Fire crews arrived around 9:30 a.m. for an unconscious person and encountered multiple occupants—and a pet—showing signs of CO poisoning inside the home. FireRescue1
Fire Chief Thomas Williams said several responders became sick shortly after arrival, reporting nausea, vomiting and headaches. A firefighter who first entered did not have a functioning CO detector; when a second firefighter’s monitor alarmed at dangerous levels, command ordered an immediate evacuation of both occupants and crews. Investigators later measured CO concentrations near 200 parts per million in the residence. FireRescue1
All seven firefighters were transported to OSU Wexner Medical Center, treated and released, and some returned to duty the same day, officials said. The 96-year-old caller was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the CO leak remains under investigation. FireRescue1
CO Safety Notes for Agencies & Residents: Officials reiterated the importance of working CO alarms on every level of a home, annual inspection of furnaces and fuel-burning appliances, and strict adherence to meter use for responders—even on calls that begin as medicals. FireRescue1
Los Angeles — The Los Angeles Fire Department received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring the agency’s service during and after the deadly Palisades Fire. FireRescue1
The recognition—an Award of Excellence presented by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Hollywood Community Foundation—was inspired by a 14-year-old student, Eniola Taiwo, who proposed a star for first responders in a school assignment. FireRescue1
LAFD thanked the community partners and residents for their trust and support during recent major incidents. FireRescue1
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Fire Department has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a community-driven tribute to firefighters’ courage and public service following the Palisades Fire earlier this year. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Hollywood Community Foundation presented the department with an Award of Excellence as part of the honor. FireRescue1
Organizers credited 14-year-old Eniola Taiwo for sparking the recognition: in an eighth-grade English assignment, Taiwo suggested adding a star to honor first responders. The idea gained traction with local leaders and ultimately led to the ceremony and dedication. In a statement, LAFD said it is grateful to community partners and Angelenos who place their trust in the department’s skills and commitment. FireRescue1
The Walk of Fame star underscores the department’s role in Los Angeles’ resilience during major emergencies, while putting a spotlight on youth-led civic engagement that can drive meaningful recognition for public safety professionals.
Washington, D.C. — Congress passed the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, recognizing occupational canceras a line-of-duty death (or qualifying disability) for public safety officers; the bill now heads to the President. FireRescue1
Vote & vehicle: The measure rode in the NDAA and cleared Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support(House 312–0, Senate 77–0). FireRescue1
Who’s covered: Establishes a presumption for 20 listed cancers (plus WTC-related cancers) when exposure occurred on duty, with ≥5 years of service and diagnosis within 15 years of last service. Extends PSOB death, disability, and education benefits. FireRescue1
What’s next:Signature expected; DOJ/PSOB will implement eligibility and claims guidance. FireRescue1
WASHINGTON — Fire service advocates scored a long-sought federal change Thursday as Congress approved the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, recognizing specified occupational cancers as line-of-duty deaths (or qualifying permanent disabilities) under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program. The legislation traveled in the National Defense Authorization Act and now awaits the President’s signature. FireRescue1
The bill—backed by the IAFF and a coalition of police and fire organizations—creates a presumption that certain cancers are duty-related when key conditions are met: the exposure happened while performing official duties; the member had at least five years of service before diagnosis; and the diagnosis occurred within 15 years of the last active service date. The text enumerates 20 cancers and sweeps in any cancer recognized as a World Trade Center–related health condition. For eligible cases, the law extends PSOB death and educational assistance to survivors and disability benefits to officers rendered permanently and totally disabled. FireRescue1
Union leaders framed the vote as a “turning point,” saying it ends years of families having to prove a single, specific exposure to qualify for federal benefits—often an impossible standard given the cumulative nature of fireground and overhaul exposures. The measure advanced with lopsided bipartisan margins—312–0 in the House and 77–0 in the Senate—after a sustained push during the IAFF’s 2025 legislative conference. FireRescue1
Once signed, the Department of Justice is expected to issue guidance aligning PSOB claims with the new presumption and timelines. Departments and families should watch for implementation details on documentation requirements, lists of covered cancers, and how existing claims may be reevaluated. FireRescue1
Camden, N.J. — Firefighters avoided being caught in a structural collapse while knocking down a predawn blaze at a vacant home on South 8th Street. FireRescue1
Timeline: Crews arrived ~4:45 a.m. and had the fire under control by 5:21 a.m.FireRescue1
Injuries/Damage:No civilian injuries or fatalities. One firefighter suffered a minor injury from slipping on ice. The front, side wall and roof collapsed; no nearby structures were affected. FireRescue1
Cause: Intense fire conditions likely contributed to the collapse; origin and cause remain under investigation.FireRescue1
CAMDEN, N.J. — Camden firefighters confronted heavy fire conditions at a vacant residence early Wednesday and pulled back in time to avoid a structural failure that brought down parts of the building as crews moved to a defensive posture, city officials said. FireRescue1
Companies were dispatched to 1652 South 8th Street just before dawn and placed the fire under control by 5:21 a.m.Despite the collapse of the front and side wall and sections of the roof, there were no civilian injuries, and exposure buildings did not sustain damage. One firefighter incurred a minor injury after slipping on ice at the scene. FireRescue1
Images captured by a nearby resident showed flames and smoke venting from multiple openings prior to the collapse. Officials said the intensity of the blaze and other factors likely led to the failure; the exact cause of the fire and collapse remains under investigation. FireRescue1
Brooklyn, N.Y. (Kensington) — A five-alarm fire tore through the Boro Park Seder Matzah Bakery, triggering a partial collapse that trapped and burned an FDNY firefighter before crews freed him; he’s now stable. FireRescue1+1
Fire began just before 2 a.m., Dec. 17 near the ovens and spread through stacked matzah boxes; 3 civilians(including a 2-year-old) were treated for smoke inhalation. FireRescue1+1
FDNY fought the blaze for nearly nine hours with ~175 personnel; DOB issued a full vacate order due to extensive damage and a partially collapsed roof; cause under investigation. FireRescue1+1
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — FDNY crews battled heavy fire and structural instability for nearly nine hours after flames ripped through the Boro Park Seder Matzah Bakery in the Kensington section of Brooklyn early Wednesday, injuring four people including a firefighter who was briefly trapped in a rear wall collapse, officials said. FireRescue1
The blaze broke out just before 2 a.m. on Dec. 17 at 1285 36th Street, igniting near the bakery ovens before racing into stacked boxes of matzah and product, according to FDNY and local reports. More than 175 firefighters and EMSconverged as smoke conditions intensified and companies pushed to the roof. During those operations, a rear portion of the building collapsed, pinning a member who was quickly extricated. He suffered burns to his hands and possible airway/respiratory burns and was hospitalized in stable condition, Assistant Chief Mike Woods said. FireRescue1+1
Three civilians, including a 2-year-old, were treated for smoke inhalation—one adult with a more serious respiratory injury—and were listed as stable, officials said. The Department of Buildings issued a full vacate order citing extensive fire damage and a partially collapsed roof, with some adjacent properties also affected. FDNY fire marshals are investigating the cause. ABC7 New York
Editor’s note: The bakery, which traces its operations back more than a century and produces hundreds of thousands of pounds of matzah annually, was heavily damaged. No additional firefighter injuries were reported beyond the initial member rescued after the collapse. ABC7 New York
