Fire House Digest

Category: Featured

  • Massive Five-Alarm Fire Destroys Bronx Businesses, Delayed Response Due to Illegally Parked Car

    Massive Five-Alarm Fire Destroys Bronx Businesses, Delayed Response Due to Illegally Parked Car

    March 13, 2025

    Blaze Breaks Out in Morris Heights, Leaving Businesses in Ruins

    A devastating fire engulfed multiple businesses in the Morris Heights neighborhood of the Bronx on Thursday morning, reducing six establishments to rubble. The five-alarm blaze erupted around 8:20 a.m. at the intersection of Jerome Avenue and West Burnside Avenue, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky and forcing a large emergency response from the FDNY.

    While no injuries were reported, the inferno left a trail of destruction, devastating local businesses that had served the community for years.

    Illegally Parked Car Delays Firefighters

    As firefighters rushed to battle the raging flames, their response was significantly delayed due to an illegally parked vehicle blocking a fire hydrant. Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Kaz Daughtry emphasized the impact of the obstruction, stating that it hampered efforts to connect hoses and access water immediately.

    “There was a vehicle blocking a fire hydrant, slowing down the fire apparatus’ ability to connect to the hydrant,” Daughtry said. “We’re asking all New Yorkers to please be mindful. Have a little compassion when parking by fire hydrants.”

    Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker confirmed that the driver received a misdemeanor summons for the violation. Tucker also referenced a similar incident in February, where an illegally parked car outside a Bronx Buddhist temple obstructed firefighters responding to a deadly blaze, resulting in two fatalities. In that case, the driver, Quinaysa Arnold, was ultimately fined $4,000.

    “We are talking about parking by fire hydrants way too much these days,” Tucker stated. “If you think parking by a fire hydrant is a convenience, it’s not. It’s a recipe for death. We’ve already seen that twice now.”

    Businesses Destroyed, Owners Devastated

    The fire started inside a restaurant along Jerome Avenue and quickly spread to neighboring businesses, including a deli, a pharmacy, an optical store, and a clothing shop. The tightly packed buildings, combined with aging infrastructure, allowed the fire to move rapidly through the cockloft, the space between the roof and ceiling.

    FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito explained the challenges firefighters faced in containing the flames.

    “The fire had significant headway on us,” Esposito said. “Most of the fire was in the cockloft space. These are very old buildings that have been renovated numerous times, so there are several ceiling levels that are 3 to 4 feet deep. It’s very time-consuming to open that up and put water in there to extinguish the fire.”

    At one point, the fire became so intense that firefighters were forced to evacuate the buildings and battle the blaze from the outside. More than 200 firefighters and emergency personnel worked for hours to bring the situation under control, but not before at least one ceiling collapsed due to the intense heat.

    For local business owners, the devastation is overwhelming. Jessica Betancourt, who owned an optical center destroyed in the fire, said she is determined to rebuild but is heartbroken over the loss.

    “I’ve been here for years, serving this community, and now everything is gone,” Betancourt said. “We just have to find a way to start over.”

    Another affected business, Finest Deli, had been operating for seven years before being completely destroyed

  • FEMA cancels classes at national fire training academy amid federal funding cuts.

    FEMA cancels classes at national fire training academy amid federal funding cuts.

    CHICAGO (AP) — The country’s preeminent federal fire training academy canceled classes, effective immediately, on Saturday amid the ongoing flurry of funding freezesand staffing cuts by President Donald Trump’s administration.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that National Fire Academy courses were canceled amid a “process of evaluating agency programs and spending to ensure alignment with Administration priorities,” according to a notice sent to instructors, students and fire departments. Instructors were told to cancel all future travel until further notice.

    Firefighters, EMS providers and other first responders from across the country travel to the NFA’s Maryland campus for the federally funded institution’s free training programs.

    “The NFA is a powerhouse for the fire service,” said Marc Bashoor, a former Maryland fire chief and West Virginia emergency services director with 44 years of fire safety experience. “It’s not a ‘nice to have.’ It is the one avenue we have to bring people from all over the country to learn from and with each other. If we want to continue to have one of the premier fire services in the world, we need to have the National Fire Academy.”

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    The academy, which also houses the National Fallen Firefighter’s Memorial, opened in 1973 to combat a growing number of fatal fires nationwide. At the time, the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control envisioned it to be the “West Point of the Fire Service,” according to a report form the organization.

    Bashoor said the NFA was set to welcome a new set of fire safety officers for training next week.

    “People had made their plane and travel reservations. And all of a sudden, they get an email that ‘Sorry, it’s been canceled,’” he said. “It’s really upsetting.”

    For firefighters, including those on the frontlines of deadly fires that ravaged California this year, having an essential training institution “shut down under the presumption that there’s waste, fraud and abuse” has been demoralizing, Bashoor said. He said losing NFA training could make the coordinated response that prevented additional deaths and destruction in California more difficult.

    FEMA and the National Fire Academy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    While surveying disaster zones in California in January, Trump said he was considering “getting rid of” FEMA altogether, previewing sweeping changes to the nation’s central organization of responding to disasters.

    Firings at the U.S. Forest Service on the heels of the deadly California blazes also sparked outcry among discharged workers and officials who said it would mean fewer people and less resources will be available to help prevent and fight wildfires.

  • The Future of Cancer Coverage for Female Federal Firefighters

    The Future of Cancer Coverage for Female Federal Firefighters

    Concerns Rise as Policy Changes Disappear from Government Websites

    Weeks after the Labor Department extended workers’ compensation coverage to include cancers affecting female and transgender firefighters, concerns are mounting as information about the policy change has vanished from government websites. The sudden removal has sparked fears that the newly granted protections may be at risk under the Trump administration.

    A Long Battle for Coverage

    Federal firefighters have long fought for presumptive workers’ compensation for illnesses linked to toxic exposures on the job. After nearly three years of advocacy, breast, ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers were finally included in coverage through the Labor Department’s special claims unit. This addition ensured a streamlined claims process for affected firefighters, a significant improvement from past practices that saw only 29% of firefighter occupational disease claims approved.

    The policy, implemented in the final weeks of the Biden administration, aimed to address an oversight that left female reproductive cancers off the initial list of covered illnesses. While numerous cancers—including lung, brain, kidney, and melanoma—were already recognized for expedited claims, female firefighters and advocacy groups were dismayed to find that certain cancers predominantly affecting women were initially excluded.

    Concerns Over Policy Reversal

    Shortly after President Trump took office, the Department of Labor removed online references to the expanded coverage. Officials have since declined to clarify whether claims for breast, ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers will continue to be processed under the special claims unit.

    This uncertainty has alarmed many in the firefighting community. Pete Dutchick, a federal firefighter and advocate, stressed the importance of ensuring continued coverage. “Firefighters dedicate their lives to protecting the public. They should not have to fight for healthcare after facing occupational hazards that put them at higher risk of cancer.”

    Scientific Research Supports Coverage

    Years of research have linked firefighting to increased cancer risks. A study following Florida firefighters found elevated cancer rates among female firefighters. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified firefighting as a cancer-causing profession in 2022. Additionally, studies have connected perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), found in firefighting gear, to breast and uterine cancer.

    Despite this evidence, female firefighters have historically been underrepresented in occupational health studies, contributing to past exclusions from coverage. Advocacy groups have pushed for research to better reflect the risks faced by all firefighters, regardless of gender.

    The Future of Coverage Remains Uncertain

    Without formal rulemaking or congressional intervention, the fate of this expanded coverage remains unclear. Federal firefighters who developed cancer before the streamlined process existed, like Kaleena Lynde, know firsthand the challenges of navigating workers’ compensation without dedicated support. Diagnosed with small cell ovarian cancer at just 22 years old during her third fire season, Lynde underwent multiple surgeries and chemotherapy without the benefit of expedited claims processing.

    Advocacy organizations continue to push for permanent protections. “Hazard pay won’t stop cancer,” said retired firefighter and researcher George Broyles. “The government must be upfront about the risks and ensure proper support for those affected.”

    For now, federal firefighters and their supporters remain vigilant, watching closely to see whether the protections they fought for will endure or disappear in the shifting tides of policy changes.

  • Freight train derails in Czech Republic, causing major chemical fire

    Freight train derails in Czech Republic, causing major chemical fire

    PRAGUE (AP) — Czech firefighters were battling a major chemical blaze in eastern Czech Republic on Friday after a freight train derailed and carcinogenic benzol from damaged tank wagons caught fire.

    The derailment took place near the station in the town of Hustopeče nad Bečvou around noon local time (1100 GMT), with the fire sending thick black smoke into the air visible from a long distance. The cause of the derailment was under investigation. No one has been injured.

    The nearest houses in the town are located about 500 meters (around a quarter-mile) from the fire, but the smoke hadn’t reached them.

    Firefighters said that 15 of the 17 tanks in the train were on fire. Each tank contained about 60 metric tons (66 tons) of the toxic substance. They used a helicopter to contain the fire while their counterparts from neighboring Slovakia were on the way to help.

    Authorities said that no levels of dangerous substances exceeding limits have been detected in the town, but advised that residents there and in nearby towns and villages don’t open their windows, and stay indoors.

    Benzol contains benzene, toluene and xylene, which are used to make various chemical substances.

  • FDNY Crews Rescue Window Washers Trapped on Scaffolding 

    FDNY Crews Rescue Window Washers Trapped on Scaffolding 

    The scaffolding broke in the high winds leaving the workers stranded by the 78th floor. 

    By Thomas Tracy  Source New York Daily News (TNS)

    FDNY firefighters raced to Columbus Circle in Midtown Friday to rescue two window washers trapped on the side of a high-rise on a broken scaffold being blown around by high winds, officials said.

    First responders were called to 25 Columbus Circle about 9:47 a.m. after receiving a 911 call about the window washers trapped on the side of the building by the 78th floor.

    The scaffold had broken free from the building and was hanging from security lines from the building’s roof. Video of the incident shows the scaffolding swinging back and forth and spinning as it was buffeted by the high winds.

    Firefighters managed to pull the two men inside within a half hour, FDNY officials said.

    No serious injuries were reported.

    ©2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

  • Chicago Firefighter Calls ‘Mayday’ Battling Furniture Store Blaze

    Chicago Firefighter Calls ‘Mayday’ Battling Furniture Store Blaze

    As piles of mattresses and furniture burned, Chicago crews called for additional manpower.

    Credit: Caroline Kubzansky – Chicago Tribune

    A firefighter was in good condition Thursday night after he became disoriented fighting an extra-alarm blaze at a furniture store in the Roseland neighborhood, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

    The fire appeared to have broken out in the basement of Elegant Furniture and Linen, in the 11200 block of South Michigan Avenue, around 6 p.m. according to Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford. Six people were in the store and directed firefighters to the basement, where one of the firefighters lost his bearings in the smoky fire and called “Mayday,” an emergency call for firefighters in distress.

    Another team of firefighters were able to find him and move him away from the scene, Langford said. He was in good condition, though dazed, Thursday night. None of the other people in the building were hurt.

    The smoky conditions were due to masses of furniture and mattresses stored in the basement, Langford said. All of those materials ignited at about the same time in what is known as a “flashover.”

    The fire department upgraded the fire to a 2-11 alarm, which summons additional manpower and firefighter equipment to the scene. It was still burning around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Langford said.

  • Country Club Hills, IL, Firefighters Protest Decrease in Minimum Paramedic Staffing

    Country Club Hills, IL, Firefighters Protest Decrease in Minimum Paramedic Staffing

    The city will no longer require that two paramedics respond to emergency medical services calls, prompting pushback from the firefighters union.

    By Olivia Stevens Source Daily Southtown (Tinley Park, Ill.) (TNS)

    Country Club Hills will no longer require that two paramedics respond to emergency medical services calls, prompting pushback from the firefighters union.

    The Country Club Hills Fire Department Local 2720, in a Jan. 26 Facebook post, said it was notified of the change to require only one paramedic along with an emergency medical technician basic with less training and experience, on each ambulance starting Feb. 3.

    “Local 2720 strongly disagrees with these extreme changes in services being provided to the residents,” the post stated.

    The union did not respond to requests for comment beyond their post.

    The union said the city also now counts EMT basics toward minimum staffing levels, allowing it to cut its daily staffing from six people per day to four.

    Mayor James Ford said by staffing ambulances with one EMT basic and one paramedic, rather than two paramedics, the city still complies with requirements set by the Illinois Department of Public Health and follows the same minimum staffing levels as neighboring municipalities.

    The changes follow concerns from the Frankfort fire union about staffing in its village, going so far as posting on social media to notify the public when fire stations were left unmanned as a matter of safety.

    “Everyone knows the south suburbs are struggling because of the high taxes,” Ford said Thursday. “So we have to make adjustments to make sure we continue to stay in business.”

    Since Feb. 3, Ford said he has not heard of any reductions in the quality of service provided on the two ambulances that serve the city of about 17,000 people. He also criticized the firefighters union for airing out its concerns on social media, as they are working with the city to negotiate a new contract.

    “For them to go to the news media or social media — it’s totally unheard of,” Ford said. “I’ve never heard that in my whole life as an elected official.”

    EMT basics, beyond having a high school diploma or GED, are trained through a one semester course that allows them to assess vital signs, provide CPR, operate an automated external defibrillator, deliver oxygen to patients, bandage wounds, splint injured limbs and assess a patient’s medical condition through a series of questions, according to the city of Chicago’s EMT and paramedics information.

    Paramedics typically must have experience as EMT basics and complete advanced training and extensive clinical experiences that allow them to intubate a patient, defibrillate patients in cardiac arrest, administer medications and gain a greater understanding of anatomy and physiology, according to the city of Chicago.

    Chicago EMT basics typically make earn between $30,000 and $50,000 per year, where Chicago paramedics make between $42,000 and $63,000, according to the Lifeline Ambulance Network.

    Ford declined to divulge details on savings brought by changing minimum staffing within the Fire Department, but said the decision was made with taxpayers in mind.

    The Local 2720 post received support from the Oak Forest Fire Fighters Union Local 3039, which posted that it was a “sad day for our neighbors to the east.”

    “Lowering the bar or the level of care is never the answer and only makes the administrator’s and elected officials’ lives easier!” the union wrote in their post.

    [email protected]

    ©2025 Daily Southtown (Tinley Park, Ill.). Visit at chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

  • NC Lawmakers Aim to Protect Firefighters

    NC Lawmakers Aim to Protect Firefighters

    Legislators in both bodies of the North Carolina General Assembly have introduced bills to help protect firefighters, who face a high risk of cancer exposure in the line of duty.

    Firehouse.com – Steven Shaw

    Both the Senate and the House of the North Carolina General Assembly have introduced bills to help protect firefighters.

    CBS 17 reports that House Bill 97 would expand definitions of on-duty deaths for firefighters to include stomach cancer.

    The new Senate bill would slightly increase pensions for firefighters and also give them more representation statewide.

    “A lot of [firefighters] are selfless individuals that sacrifice to make sure the rest of us are taken care of,” Rep. Ben Moss told CBS 17.

    “I don’t really know that you can draw a line as to how much support you can give back to them,” he added.

  • JOURNALING FOR FIREFIGHTERS: LAYING THE FOUNDATION

    JOURNALING FOR FIREFIGHTERS: LAYING THE FOUNDATION

    Credit: February 7, 2025. By: Brandon Douglas Firefighter Nation

    As firefighters, we rely on our tools. From halligan bars to self-contained breathing apparatus to flathead axes, our tools are versatile, dependable, and always ready to help us work through unexpected challenges. Just as we value adaptability and dependability in our fireground tools, we need the same from our mental health and well-being tools. One of the most effective and versatile mental health tools is the time-tested, super-simple pen and paper.

    Journaling helps build self-awareness, drives personal growth, and encourages meaningful self-reflection. It provides a means to detach, transforming subjective experiences into tangible words on a page. These 18 inches of detachment make it easier to process experiences, enabling us to become more resilient, present, and grateful in our daily lives.

    While it may seem too simple—just a pen and some paper—journaling can profoundly impact your mental health and emotional resilience. Let’s explore how to get started with one of the most straightforward yet powerful tools at our disposal.

    QUICK START GUIDE: BUILDING THE HABIT

    START SMALL

    Building a new habit doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let go of any preconceived notions of what journaling “should” be. There are no rules, word count, or grammar requirements; just start. Take advice from Atomic Habits author James Clear: keep it simple, make it easy, and aim for consistency. In the beginning, commit to writing just one line per day.

    FOCUS ON GRATITUDE

    For that one line, make it something you’re thankful for. Write about a moment you appreciated from the day before (assuming you’re journaling first thing in the morning). Dig deep; be specific. Do this consistently, and you’ll notice gratitude profoundly affects your mindset. Cultivating it through journaling will help you stay grounded, become more resilient, and be more and more aware of all the good around you.

    MAKE IT EASY

    Set yourself up for success by placing your journal somewhere you’ll see at the same time every day—on your nightstand, by the coffee maker, or on your desk. Make journaling part of your existing routine so it’s easy to remember and even easier to accomplish.

    BE CONSISTENT

    Again, just one line per day, every day. If you miss a day, no worries. Just try not to miss two in a row. Over time, this small, daily habit will grow into a practice you rely on to process your experiences, improve your mental fitness, and cultivate a greater sense of well-being.

    A NOTE ON GRATITUDE

    When starting, focusing on gratitude can be especially beneficial. Writing about something you’re grateful for each day shifts your mindset, helping you see the positive aspects of your life even during difficult times. Over time, this practice rewires your brain to focus on what you appreciate rather than what you lack.

    For example, you might write about the camaraderie of your crew after a challenging call, the quiet calm of the apparatus floor just before shift change, or the satisfaction of a job well done. These moments, when documented, become anchors of positivity that help you navigate the more challenging days.

    IT’S A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION

    Building a journaling habit takes time, but the rewards are worthwhile. What begins as a simple, one-line-a-day habit can evolve into a powerful practice that fosters clarity, gratitude, and resilience.

    Over time, journaling will become a foundational tool you rely on—not just in your work as a firefighter but in every aspect of your life. It will help you navigate the challenges and joys of being a parent, spouse, friend, and human being.

    Just as you wouldn’t face a fire without the right tools, don’t face life empty-handed. Journaling is a dependable, proven, and adaptable tool for strengthening your most significant asset: yourself. Start today. One line. One moment of gratitude. One step toward a better you.

    About The Author: Brandon Douglas has 22 years in the fire service and is the division chief over training and development for Rural Metro Fire in Knox County, Tennessee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from American Public University and is working toward a master’s in organizational leadership through the University of the Cumberlands.

  • Plane with 10 people on board missing in Alaska, officials say

    Plane with 10 people on board missing in Alaska, officials say

    Credit: Jessica Schladebeck – New York Daily News (TNS)

    A plane carrying 10 people seemingly vanished while flying over Alaska’s Norton Sound south of the Arctic Circle, triggering a desperate search along the state’s western coast on Friday.

    The Cessna aircraft, a single-engine turboprop operated by Bering Air, departed from Unalakleet for Nome on Thursday afternoon with nine passengers and a pilot onboard, Alaska’s Department of Public Safety said. Officials lost contact with plane around 2:37 p.m., less than an hour after take-off, and it was reported “overdue” by 4 p.m., per a dispatch message shared on the agency’s website.

    According to data from FlightRadar, the aircraft was last seen flying over the Norton Sound, an inlet of the Bering Sea separating Unalakleet and Nome, just after 3:15 p.m. It was “12 miles offshore transiting from Unalakleet to Nome when its position was lost,” the U.S. Coast Guard Alaska maritime region posted on X.

    While it’s still unclear what happened to the plane, its pilot apparently “told Anchorage Air Traffic Control that he intended to enter a holding pattern while waiting for the runway to be clear,” according to a Facebook post from the Nome Volunteer Fire Department. A C-130 Coast Guard plane was “planning to scope the area” in response. The agency said its firefighters were also actively searching the ground, between Nome and White Mountain, after they received a “a report of a missing Bering Air Caravan.”

    “Due to weather and visibility, we are limited on air search at the current time. National Guard and Coast Guard and Troopers have been notified and are active in the search,” the fire department said. “ Norton Sound Health Corporation is standing by.”

    The White Mountain fire chief, Jack Adams, told KTUU that the aircraft “disappeared from the radar somewhere along the coast of Nome to Topkok,” leaving crews to search the approximately “30-mile stretch” of land overnight and into Friday. He said they’re hoping to find the plane on land, adding that it “being in the water would be the worst-case scenario.”

    The names of the people onboard weren’t yet being released.

    “Staff at Bering Air is working hard to gather details, get emergency assistance, search and rescue going,” said David Olson, director of operations for Nome-based Bering Air, which serves more than 30 local communities.

    The plane’s disappearance marks the third major incident in U.S. aviation in just more than a week’s time. It comes one week after a medical transportation plane crashed in Philadelphia on Jan. 31, killing the six people onboard and another person on the ground. And on Jan. 29, a US military Black Hawk helicopter collided with a passenger jet near Washington, DC, leaving no survivors.

    With News Wire Services