By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• The Loveland Fire Rescue Authority board scheduled a special meeting to vote on whether to terminate Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach after 44 days of administrative leave.
• The board previously advanced termination proceedings by drafting and approving a letter of intent to terminate the chief’s employment.
• The decision comes after weeks of closed-door meetings and public commentary supporting the chief.
• Sendelbach said he was surprised and disappointed by the board’s direction.
• The board’s vote will occur in a virtual session open for public viewing.

LOVELAND, CO — The Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board has scheduled a special meeting to vote on whether to terminate Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach’s employment following more than six weeks of administrative leave, officials said.

Sendelbach, who has been on leave for 44 days, will have his employment status considered in a 2 p.m. virtual session Thursday, after the board’s personnel committee prepared a final decision recommending termination.

The board action followed weeks of closed-door discussions and prior votes to advance the termination process, including unanimous approval to send Sendelbach a letter of intent to terminate earlier this year.

During Wednesday’s special meeting, board members voted unanimously to have the personnel committee work with legal counsel on a termination decision for full board consideration Thursday.

Sendelbach said he was surprised and disappointed by the board’s motion and noted he was unaware of the discussion prior to being contacted during the meeting.

The agenda and link for the forthcoming virtual board meeting are available on the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority website, and supporters of the chief have made public comments during prior sessions.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A Massachusetts National Guard major and Boston firefighter was injured in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait that killed six U.S. service members on March 1, officials said.
• The attack struck a U.S. tactical operations center at Port Shuaiba used by service members, part of the 2026 conflict with Iran.
• The injured National Guard member, identified as Maj. Mark Garcia, is recovering overseas from wounds sustained in the blast.
• Gov. Maura Healey said Garcia was “on site” during the explosion and will be welcomed home once his recovery progresses.

BOSTON, MA — A Boston firefighter who also serves as a major in the Massachusetts Army National Guard was among those injured in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait that killed six U.S. service members earlier this month, state officials said.

The attack on March 1 struck a tactical operations center at the Port Shuaiba, a civilian port near Kuwait City, where U.S. troops were stationed as part of ongoing military operations linked to the conflict with Iran.

Gov. Maura Healey said Maj. Mark Garcia, assigned to Engine 50 in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood, was wounded in the blast and is currently recovering overseas, with plans to celebrate his eventual return to Massachusetts.

The strike also killed six members of the U.S. military assigned to logistical and support roles at the facility, and dozens of other service members were reportedly wounded in the incident, U.S. officials have said.

Officials have not released further information about the nature of Garcia’s injuries, and details from the ongoing Pentagon and field investigations were not immediately available.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A vehicle-borne attack at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, left the suspected assailant dead after he drove into the building and was engaged by security personnel, authorities said.
• The incident occurred March 12, 2026, at the Reform Jewish congregation near Detroit.
• One synagogue security officer was injured; no children or staff were harmed, law enforcement said.
• The FBI is investigating the incident as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.

WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI — A suspected vehicle-borne attack at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, on March 12 resulted in the death of the assailant after he drove a truck into the building and was confronted by synagogue security, officials said.

The large Reform Jewish congregation, which also houses an early childhood center, became the scene of the incident when the suspect’s vehicle struck the structure and ignited, law enforcement reported.

A security officer was struck by the vehicle and treated for injuries, but synagogue leadership and authorities said no children, teachers or other staff were harmed during the attack.

Federal and local law enforcement, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are investigating, with the FBI describing the attack as a potential targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.

Oakland County Sheriff’s Office personnel and other agencies secured the scene, and authorities continue to assess evidence and procedural follow-up as part of the ongoing investigation.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Pennsylvania has awarded more than $905,000 in state grants to volunteer fire companies to support wildfire readiness, the state fire commission announced.
• The funds come from the Pennsylvania Wildfire Preparedness and Response Grant Program.
• Grants will be used for wildfire training, equipment, and community readiness initiatives.
• Funding is intended to enhance capabilities in areas at elevated risk of wildland fire incidents.

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner has announced more than $905,000 in grant awards to volunteer fire companies to bolster wildfire readiness statewide, officials said.

The funding is provided through the Pennsylvania Wildfire Preparedness and Response Grant Program and will be distributed to eligible volunteer fire departments with projects focused on wildfire training, equipment acquisition, and public preparedness, according to the fire commission.

Officials said the grants are intended to enhance the capabilities of volunteer fire companies serving communities at elevated risk of wildland and brush fire incidents.

Projects funded under the program include specialized training for wildfire response, purchases of equipment such as tools and protective gear, and outreach initiatives to improve community resilience, the announcement said.

The state fire commission encouraged departments to apply for future grant cycles to continue expanding readiness and response capabilities for wildland fire challenges.