By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• The Cañon City Area Fire Protection District completed major renovations at two longtime fire stations in Cañon City, Colorado.
• The $2.2 million project updated bunk areas, HVAC systems, insulation, plumbing and electrical systems.
• Upgrades included ADA-compliant and additional bathrooms and a modern station alerting system tied to dispatch.
• Renovations at Station No. 2 are finished, and Station No. 1 remains in progress with some work outstanding.
• District leaders said improvements aim to boost functionality, durability and crew comfort.

CANYON CITY, CO — The Cañon City Area Fire Protection District has modernized two of its longtime fire stations through a roughly $2.2 million renovation project designed to enhance facilities and working conditions for firefighters.

Work on Station No. 1 on Harding Avenue and Station No. 2 on Elm Avenue included the installation of new bunk areas to provide individual sleeping spaces, updated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, and improved insulation to replace older cooling systems.

Officials said the projects also added ADA-compliant bathrooms and new station alerting technology that integrates digital call information from Fremont County dispatch, replacing older manual run sheet methods.

Station No. 2’s renovation is reported complete, while work at Station No. 1 continues, with tasks such as skylight installation planned. District leaders said the improvements are intended to boost long-term durability and firefighter comfort amid current and potential future staffing needs.

Fire Chief David DelVecchio, who will retire in July, said the upgrades at the district’s stations follow prior projects, including construction of Station No. 3 and other facility enhancements.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Nebraska lawmakers on Jan. 26 heard testimony on bills that would protect confidentiality of peer support conversations for first responders.
• The proposals would bar peer support communications from being used in court or disciplinary actions.
• Sen. Dave Wordekemper, Sen. Dan Lonowski and Sen. Tanya Storer introduced the measures before the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.
• First responders told lawmakers confidentiality could increase participation and address burnout, substance abuse and suicide risk.
• Lawmakers took no immediate action following the hearing.

LINCOLN, NE — Nebraska lawmakers heard testimony Jan. 26 on legislative proposals that would establish confidentiality protections for peer support counseling communications for first responders.

The bills, introduced by Fremont State Sen. Dave Wordekemper, Hastings Sen. Dan Lonowski and Whitman Sen. Tanya Storer, would prevent statements from peer support discussions from being used in court or in disciplinary proceedings, lawmakers and supporters said during a Judiciary Committee hearing.

First responders, including police officers and firefighters, testified that the confidential status would encourage participation in peer support programs and help address job-related stress, burnout, substance abuse and suicide risks.

Lincoln Police Department Capt. Max Hubka, who leads his agency’s peer support program, told the committee that protections would provide “psychological safety” and increase engagement in counseling efforts.

Supporters said the bills include exceptions for instances involving homicidal or suicidal ideation, domestic abuse or criminal activity. No lawmakers or groups spoke in opposition during the hearing, and committee members took no immediate action.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Kansas City Fire Department Station 10 posted a snowstorm safety warning on Facebook that used humor to encourage residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
• The post included tongue-in-cheek responses to common excuses, including a line referencing nail appointments that became widely shared online.
• It advised people to complete errands before the storm and then “park it on the couch” as conditions deteriorate.
• The social media message garnered thousands of interactions and shares, drawing broad attention ahead of the winter storm.
• Firefighters engaged with public comments on the post while reiterating safety guidance.

KANSAS CITY, MO — Firefighters from Kansas City Fire Department Station 10 used humor in a Facebook post to urge residents to take an approaching winter storm seriously, resulting in widespread social media attention.

The post, shared ahead of expected heavy snow and bitter cold, encouraged people to finish errands before the storm and then “park it on the couch” through the weekend, according to the department’s social media page.

Station 10’s message included tongue-in-cheek responses to typical snow-day excuses, including a now-viral line about “hush, Jessica” in response to a nail appointment comment, prompting high levels of engagement online.

The warning resonated with thousands of interactions and shares, with firefighters continuing to respond to comments and reinforce the importance of limiting travel in hazardous conditions.

The post also reminded the public that fire crews would remain available to respond to emergencies throughout the storm while urging residents to stay off icy roads whenever possible.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Fire crews responded to a significant blaze in a leasing office building at the Lakeview Apartment Complex in Gloucester Township, New Jersey.
• First-arriving units reported fire throughout the structure upon arrival.
• The incident, on Jan. 11, was upgraded to a second alarm due to the extent of fire conditions.
• Firefighters used a master stream from Tower Ladder 6 and conducted suppression and overhaul operations.
• The residential apartments were not threatened by the fire, according to reports.

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Firefighters battled a major blaze in the leasing office at the Lakeview Apartment Complex in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township on Jan. 11 after crews arriving on scene found fire throughout the building.

The incident was upgraded to a second alarm due to heavy fire conditions, though fire officials said the blaze did not extend into the adjacent residential apartments.

Pine Hill Tower Ladder 6 operated its master stream to assist in suppression efforts as crews opened walls and conducted overhaul to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire has not been publicly released as of the latest update.