This year, the Austin Fire Department said it has gotten a 10% increase in interested African Americans compared to 2019. Its largest demographic group is Hispanic candidates — a more than 21% increase. Overall, nearly 75% of people who submitted a cadet interest card are diversity targets, which means they belong to a minority group.
- PUB DATE: 4/28/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KXAN-TV NBC 36 Austin

VIDEO: A church in Vermont's Orange County spent Tuesday working to salvage what it could following a massive overnight fire. One of the artifacts pulled from the rubble of the Williamstown Federated Church is linked to a famous name in American history. "That's an incredible historic artifact," Stephen Morse, a church organist and historian, said of the bell that was removed from the site and stored for safe-keeping.
- PUB DATE: 4/28/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WPTZ-TV NBC 5 Plattsburgh

PHOTOS: Two inches of water filled what was once the poker space in the old Bonita Springs Greyhound Racing building off Bonita Beach Road. "We're going straight into the room on the left," one Estero firefighter said into his mask radio. An ominous orange glow bled from a back office. "Moving in," another replied.
- PUB DATE: 4/28/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Naples Daily News

Grant County Fire District 8 Chief Dave Patterson said he started his firefighting career as a volunteer, and it was as a volunteer that he joined Grant County Fire District 8. After 12 years with the district, and about 40 years in firefighting, he will retire Friday. “I started as a volunteer, and then I became a captain,” he said.
- PUB DATE: 4/28/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Columbia Basin Herald - Metered Site

Three agencies are investigating a fire that damaged an engine room aboard the Washington state ferry Wenatchee. The vessel had been undergoing sea trials on April 22 when one of its recently rebuilt engines caught fire. Washington State Ferries (WSF) said two of the vessel’s engines had recently been overhauled.
- PUB DATE: 4/28/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle