A gutsy paramedic jumped into the grimy Hudson River on Monday morning to save a woman from drowning. “This was my first time I jumped in the water [for a rescue],” said Niall O’Shaughnessy, 38. “I have no idea why she jumped in, my concern was to just get her out.” The Long Island resident, who is originally from Ireland, had been stationed with his partner, Moses Nelson, near West and Murray Streets when they received a call at around 7:23 a.
- PUB DATE: 7/21/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: new york post

Two lawmakers are taking steps to stop drones from interfering in firefighting efforts after several incidents in California. One bill, SB167, would increase fines and make jail time possible for drone use that interferes with firefighting efforts. And on Monday, Republican Sen. Ted Gaines of El Dorado and Democratic Assemblyman Mike Gatto of Glendale also announced SB168, which would grant immunity to emergency responders who damage drones during firefighting or rescue operations.
- PUB DATE: 7/21/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KGTV-TV ABC 10 San Diego

A federal analysis of a May 2013 fire at the Southwest Inn that killed four Houston firefighters is in "alignment" with earlier local and state reports that cited communication failures and tactics used at the scene of the blaze, Houston Fire Department officials said Monday. The recently released report, from the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, is intended "to educate not just the Houston Fire Department, but the entire American fire service," HFD officials said in a statement.
- PUB DATE: 7/21/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: houston chronicle

The director of New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training says bullying and a rigorous physical entrance exam are the principle reasons why only one percent of New Hampshire's 8,000 full-time firefighters are women. Director Deb Pendergast told the Portsmouth Herald that the agility test is given once a year for men and women.
- PUB DATE: 7/20/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WMUR-TV ABC 9 Manchester

A college student gets very drunk at a party and posts a video to Vine. A young woman tweets a racial joke. A young man makes explicit claims of sexual conquests on Facebook. Should a fire department take these things into account when conducting a hiring process? Employers in all professions increasingly look at applicants' social media and web presence as part of the hiring process.
- PUB DATE: 7/20/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firerescue1