VIDEO: Sit down and talk to J.C. Defeats, as his friends call him, and you'll immediately see his humble nature. The former U.S. Air Force pararescueman, and now Oldsmar firefighter and paramedic knows how to handle stressful situations. Little did he know he would be in the center of one. "That thing was huge.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFTS-TV ABC 28 Tampa

With close to 25% of its roster comprised of women, the East Tawas Fire Department (ETFD) exceeds the national average for the percentage of female firefighters. According to the most recent available data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), females account for roughly 8% of the overall firefighter population in the United States.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: IOSCO County News-Herald - Metered Site

VIDEO: Responding to crisis after crisis, day after day takes a toll on the mental health of firefighters and paramedics. Even veteran first responders struggle with their mental health throughout their careers. To address the issue, the Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue Department is developing new initiatives to address mental health in their team.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WGBA-TV NBC 26 Green Bay

Authorities are warning that a more potent form of fentanyl is making its way along the West Coast after a bag of the drug was seized during the execution of a warrant in Portland recently. Deputies found body armor, $5,000 in cash, nine guns, some of which were modified and stolen, and drugs including meth, heroin, 800 pills of fentanyl and four grams of multi-colored, powdered fentanyl, often referred to as ‘rainbow fentanyl.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPTV-TV FOX 12 Portland

A man was injured in a 2-alarm fire that destroyed a house in Snohomish County early Thursday morning. A spokesperson for South County Fire said crews responded to the 12400 block of 51st Avenue Southeast just before 1 a.m. after multiple people called 911 to report hearing explosions and seeing large flames.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle