Hillsborough County officials fired a Fire Rescue medic Tuesday after an internal investigation concluded he had "unwavering loyalty" to the Outlaws Motorcycle Club — the state’s dominant biker gang. Clinton Neal Walker, 33, of Bradenton is the first Hillsborough County employee to be investigated for gang activity under a series of countywide ordinances sparked by Walker’s own arrest last September over starting a bar fight in Key West.
- PUB DATE: 1/17/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tampa Bay Times and Tampa Bay.com

The Wichita Fire Department has completed an administrative investigation and concluded that no employee gave a rapper permission to use a fire truck in a music video posted to YouTube. In the video, rappers Blue Scrilla and Pj can be seen rapping both inside of and in front of a Station 15 Wichita Fire Department truck.
- PUB DATE: 1/17/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Wichita Eagle & Kansas.com

Firefighters battling a house fire on the East Side Saturday night were forced to make a hasty retreat through the home's windows as the blaze got out of hand, almost trapping them inside, officials said. According to the San Antonio Fire Department, at least 12 units responded to the 900 block of Virginia Blvd around 7:55 p.
- PUB DATE: 1/16/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: My San Antonio.com

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Chief Jeff Collins attempted to pull back his resignation Monday just three days after it was announced. Collins rescinded his resignation in a letter sent from his attorney to county officials, claiming he was coerced and intimidated into resigning his position during a meeting with County Administrator Verdenia Baker, Assistant County Administrator Nancy Bolton and Human Resources Director Wayne Condry.
- PUB DATE: 1/16/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel & SouthFlorida.com

Taking a look at the 93 on-duty firefighter fatalities in 2017 reveals similar trends from previous years, with cardiac and health-related issues marking a bulk of the fire service's losses. According to numbers provided by the U.S. Fire Administration, the overwhelming physical stress firefighting has on the body remains at the forefront of modern firefighter health and safety.
- PUB DATE: 1/16/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse