A former Yakima firefighter says he was injured on the job because the city understaffs its fire squads. The accusation is part of a damage claim the former firefighter, Jerry Elmo Jr., submitted earlier this summer, asking the city for $450,000 in damages related to the injury. City spokesman Randy Beehler says the city doesn’t comment on pending claims or litigation.
- PUB DATE: 9/14/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Yakima Herald

The ongoing dispute involving Utica fire Chief Russell Brooks and his health started more than a year ago with an application. Citing his diagnosis for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which he says resulted from responding to New York City to support 9/11 recovery efforts, Brooks applied for benefits outlined under General Municipal Law 207-a.
- PUB DATE: 9/14/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Observer-Dispatch

Cincinnati police and firefighter recruits are asked to describe their "most unusual sex act" in a questionnaire that can later become accessible to the public. The questions are part of the Fire and Police departments' pre-employment process. They raise concerns for some that new recruits are being asked to divulge private, probing details about their sexual history.
- PUB DATE: 9/14/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Cincinnati Enquirer & Cincinnati.com

An architectural firm commissioned by the city to assess the conditions at eight Pueblo Fire Department buildings is recommending the department build new facilities at three stations that are in poor shape. The stations that need replacing, according to that architectural firm, are at 425 W. Seventh St.
- PUB DATE: 9/14/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Pueblo Chieftain

The city's fire department is no longer using lights and sirens on all of its runs, prompting the fire union to warn that the new policy could endanger lives. But Detroit's fire commissioner says he has no plans to back down on a strategy that gives discretion to dispatchers, firefighters and EMTs to alert those en route to "go easy," which means they can switch off their lights and sirens to arrive safely.
- PUB DATE: 9/13/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Detroit News