Mayor Tony George has resurrected a Community Fire Watch program in an attempt to increase public safety, but firefighter union officials say it’s a waste of money and is making conditions more dangerous. George confirmed he is enforcing a fire watch program started during former mayor Tom McGroarty’s administration in which firefighters hit the streets in fire engines during their down time to check on abandoned and vacant structures.
- PUB DATE: 9/5/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Inmates sent to help fight wildfires are back behind bars in Idaho after one inmate was charged with raping a woman working at a base camp in Utah, authorities said Tuesday. The Idaho Department of Correction is reviewing the way they select, train and deploy those inmates, spokesman Jeff Ray said. Most Western states have similar programs that allow low-level offenders to be temporarily released to help fight wildfires.
- PUB DATE: 9/5/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Twin Falls Times-News

Garden City officials voted Tuesday night to approve a settlement of more than $1.1 million for a dozen paid firefighters, clearing the way for the village's plan to rely on an all-volunteer force. The village board had voted July 25 to abolish the 90-year-old paid fire department after village officials said having volunteer firefighters would save the village about $2 million annually.
- PUB DATE: 9/5/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Newsday

A volunteer firefighter died in the line of duty after suffering a medical emergency at the scene of a head-on crash early Saturday afternoon on state Route 404. Assistant Fire Chief Danny Lister was working at the scene of the crash between Route 309 (Starr Road) and Old Queen Anne Road in Talbot County when he suffered a medical emergency, the Queen Anne-Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Company Inc.
- PUB DATE: 9/4/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: My Eastern Shore

Local authorities have taken to social media to offer their prayers to several firefighters who were severely injured in an overnight fire. According to LaGrange Fire Department Deputy Chief John Brant, four of their firefighters had to be taken to the Grady Memorial Hospital burn unit after receiving second and third-degree burns.
- PUB DATE: 9/4/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WMAZ-TV CBS 13 Macon