VIDEO: Texas first responders rode across the state for eight days honoring 14 first responders who died in the line of duty. Thirty-three riders participated in the Texas Brotherhood Ride which started in Hempstead, then on to Dallas and ended at the Texas Capitol. Houston firefighter Robb Hyatt said the goal was to honor first emergency responders and give emotional and financial support to their families.
- PUB DATE: 8/26/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTBC-TV Fox 7 Austin

Dominick and Alicia Rhodes have had blue tarps covering the roof of their Florida home and a firetruck in their front yard since Hurricane Michael devastated their rural inland county 10 months ago. The couple — who have three kids, maintain two full-time jobs and work as volunteer firefighters in their spare time — are now caretakers of one of the Mossy Pond Volunteer Fire Department fire engines because the firehouse where they once stored their trucks and equipment was obliterated by the storm.
- PUB DATE: 8/23/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NBC News

The Baltimore City Fire Department plans to cut down on the number of firefighters responding to initial calls, a move that isn’t sitting well with the firefighters’ union. Currently, five engines, two trucks, two battalion chiefs and a medic unit are dispatched when a call comes in. Come September, though, that number will shrink as the department tests reducing initial responding units to three engines, one truck and one battalion chief.
- PUB DATE: 8/23/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WJZ-TV CBS 13 Baltimore

On August 24th, 2009, the City of Buffalo lost two members of its fire department during a building fire. In the days that followed, firefighters from across the country came to Buffalo to honor Firefighter Jonathan Croom and Lieutenant Chip McCarthy. Members of the Washington, DC Fire Department's Pipes and Drums band played the funerals, and formed friendships with some of the Buffalo firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 8/23/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WKBW-TV ABC 7 Buffalo

A new club at Hempfield Area High School could help bridge the gap between a lack of volunteer firefighters and a younger workforce. The Public Services Club is headed by biology teacher, volunteer firefighter and paramedic Justin Heddinger. The organization will introduce students to careers like volunteer firefighting, police work, emergency management, EMS and 911 dispatchers.
- PUB DATE: 8/23/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: TribLIVE