Alarms were going off for some Chicago firefighters this week. First, there was a COVID-19 outbreak at the Quinn Fire Academy, and now, hundreds are expected to gather in one spot to take a test. As CBS 2 Political Investigator Dana Kozlov reported Wednesday, some firefighters believe their safety is being put at risk, as well as the safety of the public they serve when it comes to potentially contracting and then spreading coronavirus.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WBBM-TV CBS 2 Chicago

When American Girl, the maker of American Girl Dolls, announced its “Heroes With Heart” contest to honor frontline workers, one girl knew exactly who to nominate. April O’Quinn, an EMT with the Richmond Ambulance Authority, was nominated by her niece, Lacey. Families were asked to nominate a hero who makes a difference in their lives and goes “above and beyond.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WWBT-TV NBC 12 Richmond

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread so rapidly since the first U.S. case was reported Jan. 20 that it’s now the third-leading cause of death in the country, Thomas Frieden, MD, former director of the CDC, told CNN. "COVID is now the number 3 cause of death in the U.S. -- ahead of accidents, injuries, lung disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and many, many other causes," Frieden said.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WebMD

Firefighters are battling a two-alarm fire that erupted in a building under construction and spread to other nearby occupied building near the intersection of Interstate 5 and Interstate 90. Crews responded to the scene, in the 1000 block of Sturgus Avenue South, at about 5:35 a.m. after receiving reports of heavy smoke and flames spewing from a three-story building under construction.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

A new sense of urgency is emerging to get Seattle firefighters the gear they need at riots and other scenes of violence. Crews are being called upon to take bigger risks to help people who are hurt and this equipment is one way to keep them safe. “We're trying to be able to have every single firefighter be able to be protected,” said Debbie Steinhauer, founder and president of the Seattle Fire Foundation.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000