VIDEO: A firefighter was hospitalized after a driver blew through a freeway blockade and crashed into a Ventura County fire engine early Sunday in Simi Valley, authorities said.

The crash happened shortly after 2:30 a.m. on the 118 Freeway and Tapo Canyon Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP officers and firefighters were at the location investigating an earlier traffic collision involving a wrong-way driver when the second crash occurred.

Authorities said emergency crews had established a blockade at the scene when the driver of a red Tesla drove through it and struck a Ventura County fire engine and a firefighter.

The firefighter was taken to a hospital. CHP did not release the firefighter’s condition, though the injury was described as major.

KABC-TV ABC 7 Los Angeles

The post Firefighter hurt after driver blows through freeway blockade, slams into fire engine in California appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

A Coast Guard helicopter and rescue boat saved a man from the chilly waters of the Salish Sea Friday, after his kayak capsized near Orcas Island. The 45-year-old man and his kayaker companion were both well prepared. They wore dry suits and carried an emergency VHF radio, in case of an emergency.

The Coast Guard launched a rescue just after 8:00 a.m., when Coast Guard Northwest District command center watchstanders heard a mayday call on VHF Channel 16. The distress call came from a kayaker who said he was in the water after his kayak capsized between North Beach and Sucia Island.

The Coast Guard released an audio recording of the mayday call. The recording makes it clear the person asking for help was the capsized kayaker in the water. Somehow, he kept the VHF radio above the water’s surface, dry and operable.

“Mayday, this is a capsized kayaker, north of North Beach,” the kayaker said. “Is there anybody who can give us an assist?” The Coast Guard dispatcher asks for a precise location and whether the kayakers have life jackets.

“Yes, we have life jackets and dry suits.” “Understood, you have life jackets. Are you in the water currently?” “Yes, I am in the water, holding onto my kayak.” Another kayaker with him stayed upright and afloat.

KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

The post San Juan Islands Rescue: Coast Guard crews save man after his kayak overturns appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

The Tucson (AZ) Fire Department's new Station 14, nearly quadruple the size of the previous station, offers a larger, health-focused design to minimize firefighters' exposure to contaminants.

The post Tucson (AZ) Fire Station 14 Focuses on Firefighter Safety appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue will launch a drone whole-blood delivery program in Seffner and Riverview next month, delivering blood to emergency scenes.

The post FL Fire Department Launches Whole Blood Drone Delivery System appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Amazon’s planned Hamilton Township warehouse is tied to a community deal funding a $2.3 million ladder truck.

The post Amazon to Cover Hamilton’s (NJ) $2.3M Ladder Truck appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.