Petersburg Fire Chief Dennis Rubin sharply disputed a story — first reported by NBC Channel 12 on Friday — that he was resigning. Citing unnamed sources, NBC reported that Rubin, who has been fire chief in Petersburg for almost a year now, was planning on resigning. Rubin disputed the report, saying it was a “non-story.
- PUB DATE: 5/16/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Progress-Index

A firefighter is going after fellow smoke-eaters who he says slimed him with media leaks painting him as unfit for the job, the Daily News has learned. Michael Johnson — an African-American "priority hire" who joined FDNY ranks in the wake of a fiery legal battle to diversify the department — is targeting fellow firefighters who teed up tabloid stories saying he ran away from his job when things got too hot.
- PUB DATE: 5/16/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Daily News

Firefighters doused the blazing Tesla Inc. Model X’s battery pack, and then company engineers removed about one-quarter of its power cells before the vehicle was deemed safe to tow off a California freeway. That didn’t prevent the powerful and highly flammable lithium-ion battery cells from reigniting.
- PUB DATE: 5/16/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Detroit News

Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer responded Tuesday to allegations of bullying, sexual harassment and hazing within the department that were exposed recently in a lengthy investigative report. “We take these allegations very seriously, that’s why we launched a thorough and complete investigative process which has not yet been completed,” he said in a written statement.
- PUB DATE: 5/16/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review

A memorial service is set for this weekend for a Cowskin Rural Fire District firefighter who died Saturday after suffering a medical event. Firefighter/Emergency Medical Responder William "Willie" Brinza, 64, drove Engine 351 to a structure fire near the Elk River Marina in Grove when he was stricken about 3 p.
- PUB DATE: 5/15/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse