Fire Department

The fire department is remembering Mason Fercovic-Ortegel, a firefighter, after his body was found in Lake Anna on Thursday night. He had spent the last two years working with the fire department.

Following a brawl, Birmingham implemented a new safety plan. The police department announced increased vehicle, bike, and foot patrols in the downtown area while also swearing in their new chief. Furthermore, the Fire Department will conduct unscheduled occupancy inspections at downtown businesses.

Highland Township leaders are adjusting the language for a Fire & EMS Millage Renewal to gain support ahead of a November election after an initial attempt failed. Leaders emphasize that increased funding is critical for operations and retaining staff amidst community challenges, proposing a total levy of 2.32 mills. The proposed increase would provide over $2 million in funding.

The City Council will decide whether to place a proposed $22.1 million annual Fire Parcel Tax on the November ballot. The tax would levy 19 cents per square foot on improved properties to fund the Fire Department's wildfire and emergency preparedness efforts.

Long Beach plans to lay off over 260 city employees and cut 200 vacant positions across departments like police, fire, and homeless services to address a $58 million budget shortfall. The 2026-27 fiscal year budget includes new initiatives but emphasizes cuts due to rising costs, legal payouts, and reduced tax revenue.

Two people were injured in a crash on South Rosemont Road in Virginia Beach, reported by the Virginia Beach Police Department. The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. and involved a vehicle and a residence in the 1500 block of South Rosemont Road. Emergency responders including police and the fire department were dispatched to the scene.

A bear became trapped in a car in Manitou Springs, causing significant damage to the vehicle but no injuries. Authorities reminded residents that bears are strong, intelligent, and have an exceptional sense of smell, urging them to secure food and trash to avoid attracting wildlife.

Five people died in Brazil after powerful winds caused chaos in Rio de Janeiro and parts of Sao Paulo state, leading to power outages, halted public transport, and fallen trees. The fire department reported two fatalities from a collapsed wall in the city.

France is experiencing its worst wildfire disaster in decades, with a major blaze near Bordeaux forcing 220,000 evacuations and destroying structures. Greece reported two firefighter deaths, while Spain allowed tens of thousands to return home after wildfire evacuations.

The city of Richmond is seeking voter approval for a $120 million bond to renovate its aging fire department facilities. The initiative aims to address the need for facility upgrades.

A lithium-ion battery fire in Spring Hill, Tenn., caused a house fire with minor homeowner injuries. Authorities reported two similar fires and a near-miss incident in the past week, urging residents to handle batteries safely and recognize warning signs like overheating or swelling.

A light aircraft crashed into a single-family home in Lower Saxony, Germany, killing one person. The body was recovered from the aircraft in Ganderkesee near Bremen, and it was unclear if others were on board. Search operations by the fire department continued as media outlets reported the incident.

A body was recovered from the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois, after authorities responded to a report of a deceased subject. The fire department and coroner's office worked together to recover the body early Thursday morning.

The City Council is considering a parcel tax to fund Fire Department upgrades, but residents express skepticism about taxes, accountability, and whether alternatives were explored, despite supporting emergency services. Some community members demand proof of necessity before agreeing to pay.

One person was critically wounded in a shooting in Round Lake Beach on Sunday night, according to fire department officials. The incident occurred in the Round Lake Beach area and was reported by local fire authorities.

An Arizona fire department is honoring 14-year-old Royal Cothrun for helping an elderly woman with dementia during a heatwave. Cothrun encountered Theresa Morgan struggling in 103F heat and assisted her, preventing potential harm.

The Sindh government's Implementation Committee recommends disciplinary and legal action against Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) officials, Civil Defence, fire department officers, and building management over the 2026 Gul Plaza fire. The committee also proposes amending the Sindh Building Control Ordinance, 1979, to mandate post-construction inspections and improve fire safety compliance.

A federal lawsuit raises concerns about a prior job of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s nominee for fire chief, Reginald Freeman. The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleges harassment and discrimination in a Connecticut fire department during Freeman’s leadership but does not directly accuse him. The city and mayor’s office declined to comment, while a former city council leader called the allegations troubling and questioned whether Freeman was aware of the issues.

Authorities responded to a vehicle fire on I-494 near Lake Road in Woodbury after a Nissan Versa caught fire under the hood. The driver escaped without injury, and the fire department extinguished a resulting small grass fire; the cause remains unknown.

Fourteen Charlotte-Mecklenburg School graduates joined city departments in Charlotte, N.C. on signing day, including roles in aviation, transportation, and the fire department. A city official emphasized their potential to become future leaders in various roles.

A high-rise building in Manhattan was deemed unstable after two structural columns buckled, leading to evacuations of nearby buildings. Officials identified multiple cracks and sagging floors in the former Pfizer pharmaceutical building, which is being converted into residential rentals.

A high-rise building in Manhattan was deemed unstable after two structural columns buckled, leading to evacuations of nearby buildings. Officials found multiple cracks and sagging floors in the former Pfizer pharmaceutical building, which is being converted into apartments.

Police and firefighters in Gastonia responded to a fire at a Dollar Tree store near East Hudson Boulevard on Sunday afternoon. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Eight people were rescued from a Kodiak 100 seaplane after a hard landing in Manhattan's river by fire department units. Two individuals sustained minor injuries.

A fire broke out on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City during a July Fourth fireworks display, which firefighters extinguished without injuries. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump praised the bridge in a National Mall speech, highlighting its historical significance and a flag that once flew over it. The fireworks events in both cities were affected by severe weather delays.

A fire broke out on the Brooklyn Bridge during New York’s July Fourth fireworks show, prompting firefighters to extinguish the blaze with two fire engines. No injuries were reported, and the bridge was closed to traffic during the incident. The fireworks display was moved up due to severe weather threatening the East Coast, including an evacuation on Washington’s National Mall.

A fire broke out on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York during the city’s July Fourth fireworks show, with two fire engines extinguishing the blaze without reported injuries. The fireworks were moved up due to severe weather that disrupted other East Coast celebrations, including an evacuation at Washington’s National Mall.

Two people were treated for minor injuries after a boat capsized near Second Island of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on July 3. Virginia Beach authorities, including police, fire, and EMS, responded to the incident.

The fire department conducted a drill at Nexus Mall in Mysuru. The exercise aimed to enhance emergency preparedness and coordination.

Wildfires in Greece killed a father and his 12-year-old son and prompted evacuations in two villages as firefighters and aircraft battled the blazes. The fires also led to the deployment of 135 firefighters and 25 aircraft in central Greece, with three other wildfires quickly contained. Greece is using satellite technology to monitor wildfires amid ongoing challenges from climate change.

A fire broke out at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park in Fruitvale. The fire department reported that damage was contained to the exterior, but the building remains without electricity.

A three-alarm fire erupted in a Midtown Manhattan building on June 30, injuring three people, including one firefighter. The blaze, which started in an unoccupied commercial space on the second floor of 355 7th Ave., spread rapidly to the third floor, prompting a large FDNY response. Firefighters contained the fire by 7 a.m., but the building was left severely damaged.

A bus crash on the Long Island Expressway in Queens resulted in two deaths and at least 20 injuries after the vehicle flipped over following a collision near Exit 16 at Greenpoint Avenue. The incident, which occurred around 11:45 p.m. on June 29, caused a chain reaction involving another car and led to critical injuries for multiple individuals. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

The Fire Department deployed 10 fire tenders to manage the Youm-e-Aashura procession in Hyderabad. The event required heightened safety measures, as indicated by the deployment of multiple fire tenders.

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh, including the Lucknow Development Authority, fire department, and electricity department, conducted inspections of coaching institutes in the Aliganj-Kapoorthala area to address violations of safety norms.

A reignited warehouse fire in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, is growing out of control, causing citywide air pollution and prompting officials to issue a grave warning to residents.

A family was displaced following a house fire in Concord. Two adults who were home at the time safely exited the burning house.

A fire broke out at Takinogawa Dai-san Elementary School in Tokyo's Kita area, injuring eight pupils and two teachers. The fire, which started in a room next to the music room on the top floor, was extinguished after 75 fire engines and dozens of firefighters responded. Over 300 people were evacuated during the incident.

Gunfire in New York’s Times Square caused bystanders to flee, with police chasing a suspect. One person was hospitalized, and a webcam captured two individuals in black clothing firing handguns in a crowded intersection. A 17-year-old was previously shot in Times Square during Knicks championship celebrations.

Two helicopters collided mid-air over Rio de Janeiro, killing six people, including US singer Oliver Tree and Argentine YouTuber Gaspi. The crash occurred in an urban area on Sunday, confirmed by the fire department with all victims on board.