The file cabinets in Joe Bob Betzel's barn tell a story. It’s the two-decade story of a legal battle contending the City of Dallas underpaid its cops and firefighters. “It’s been over 25 years for me, so that’s like a career,” said Betzel, the retired Dallas firefighter who led the fight. On Tuesday, the Dallas City Council unanimously approved a nearly $62 million settlement.
- PUB DATE: 11/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFAA-TV ABC 8 Dallas - Fort Worth

A billboard complaining about overtime Gwinnett County firefighters are required to work is turning some heads in Lawrenceville. Former firefighter Michael Flanagan signed the contract for the billboard at Hwy. 316 and Ga. 20, but says there are actually 40 people behind it. The rotating sign asks the county to stop mandatory overtime for firefighters complaining $15 million has been spent over three years.
- PUB DATE: 11/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSB Radio

VIDEO - At least 20 people have been injured in a massive, multi-alarm fire at a senior living community in West Chester. Numerous residents have been displaced. Fire officials have refused to say if there were any fatalities. The blaze was reported at 10:46 p.m. Thursday at the Barclay Friends Senior Living Community on the 700 block of North Franklin Street.
- PUB DATE: 11/17/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WPVI-TV 6 ABC.com

Following the Thanksgiving holiday, Utica fire Chief Russell Brooks will take the city to court. Brooks has sought to be recognized by the city for compensatory benefits due to a medical condition he says is a product of his response to ground zero in New York City following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
- PUB DATE: 11/17/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Utica Observer-Dispatch

In the early hours of the most destructive firestorm in California history, officials in Napa and Sonoma counties knew their local first responders would be overwhelmed and turned to a statewide mutual-aid system designed to swiftly brinThey got help, but they didn’t get what they asked for — not nearly.
- PUB DATE: 11/17/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle