Many municipalities in America are named for weather phenomena: Sun City, Ariz., and Snow, Okla.; Winter, Wis., and Spring, Texas; Cyclone, Penn., and Tornado, W.Va. Two towns in New Mexico — Angel Fire and Cloudcroft — share that distinction, their … Continue reading →
Fire has been both a tool that drove human prosperity to heights before unknown, and yet also harbored destructive capability. Consider the Great Library of Alexandria, which burned to the ground, its vast halls of ancient knowledge destroyed with it; … Continue reading →
As solar roofs become more popular and the technology within the industry evolves, it creates some challenges for firefighters. According to an article published by the International Association of Fire Fighters, photovoltaic systems, commonly known as solar systems, were reportedly … Continue reading →
On Oct.11, 2020, Greensburg, Pa., fire chief Thomas Ball responded to a late-night alarm coming from the community’s public works building on South Urania Avenue. As he drove the three-and-a-half minutes to the garage, Bell wasn’t overly concerned. He expected … Continue reading →
A strong fire and EMS department is an important component of any community of any size. However, when those services are struggling, it can spell disaster. Over the last several years, communities in Wisconsin have struggled to staff their fire … Continue reading →
In January, the Rock Creek Fire Protection District in Kimberly, Idaho, received a 2003 Pierce Ladder Truck through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program, free of cost. This apparatus would typically cost around $1.3 million new or around $500,000 … Continue reading →
A student firefighter program started in 1985 by the Manhattan Fire Department in Kansas continues to grow and challenge local college students today. From the very beginning, the program has created a connection between the fire department and Kansas … Continue reading →
In 2018, southwest Colorado experienced one of the largest wildfires in the state’s history. The wildfire started in June and continued through July, burning across an estimated 54,000 acres. Prompted by this wildfire, multiple entities near the Durango area … Continue reading →
Despite a smaller population of around 11,000 residents, Crestwood, Mo., is taking great strides to make sure the local fire department stays up to date with the latest technology. Crestwood Fire Chief Lou Hecht has brought on two new technologically … Continue reading →
Battling a wildfire is no simple task. The flames can burn for days, depending on conditions. If they reach city limits, diverting enough water to battle them can be taxing on a city’s water utility, which must provide sufficient water … Continue reading →
A spirit of putting collaboration over competition has been key to helping six small-town Massachusetts fire departments respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The towns of Newburyport, Salisbury, Amesbury, West Newbury, Merrimac and Newbury joined forces this spring to ensure they … Continue reading →
