VIDEO: We have reported on the dwindling number of volunteer firefighters here in New York and efforts to recruit new members for volunteer fire departments and companies.

And now some fire officials are asking Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to provide authorization to go beyond current incentives to draw in volunteer firefighters and add new part-time compensation options.

Volunteer fire departments and companies face the dilemma of fighting more difficult to deal with fires like those from electric vehicles or handling hazardous materials incidents and that requires more state mandated training from the volunteers who are already donating their time for the fire service.

Getzville Fire Company public information officer David Morales explains: “The fires that we’re fighting have changed from the past which means that the way that we train to fight fires has to change as well to adapt to those new types of fires.”

WGRZ-TV NBC 2 Buffalo

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VIDEO: Fire officials are issuing a warning after a teenager was seriously injured attempting a dangerous social media trend where people try to “breathe fire” by drinking isopropyl alcohol.

Wilmerding Borough Fire Marshal Al Hussey says the teen is lucky to be alive. “We are not meant to breathe fire as human beings,” Hussey said.

Hussey said the teen attempted to “breathe fire” using isopropyl alcohol inside a Pitcairn apartment unit Friday night. The building has about 40 units. Hussey says the teen is now intubated and being treated at a burn unit with 8% burns to the face and chest.

“First and foremost, you can lose your life. Second, you can have life-altering injuries to your appearance. Third, you could injure others in a building where you’re in, or a room, or the home. At the least, you’re going to have life-altering injuries, end up in the burn unit,” Hussey said.

Hussey is now urging parents to pay close attention to what their children have access to, especially when it comes to flammable household products.

WTAE-TV ABC 4 Pittsburgh

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PHOTOS: The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) says a 25-year-old man is in critical condition following a motorcycle crash on Sunday. At around 12:50 p.m., crews responded to the exit 161 offramp on northbound I-5 in South Seattle. SFD says the rider hit the off-ramp barrier, went over the wall, and fell around 35 feet to the ground below. A ladder engine hoisted the man out using a stokes basket and he was brought to Harborview Medical Center in Critical condition.

KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

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VIDEO: Local fire crews are joining the mission to promote reading for kids and young adults during Read Across America Week. The Spokane Valley Fire Department’s Ladder 10 crew visited Riverbend Elementary this week. They spent time reading to the students and answering their questions.

In a Facebook post, the crew shared that some firefighters showcased their skills in sound effects and character voices, adding a fun twist to the reading sessions. Pasco’s Station 85 fire crews visited Columbia River Elementary School. They not only read to the children but also provided safety education to what they called “the next generation of upcoming firefighters.” The community extends a big thanks to all first responders involved in making this week special for the students.

KNDO-TV NBC 23 Yakima

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There always seems to be differing opinions on which hose load is best. It comes down to a debate between the triple layer, the minuteman, and flat loads. Which one is the best?

The post Engine Company Setup: Triple Layer, Minuteman, or Flat Load? appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.