Local and state leaders are preparing for COVID-19 like they would a hurricane. The local emergency operation center is now active in Jacksonville ahead of a potential coronavirus outbreak. While there are currently no cases in Florida, local and state leaders said now is the time to be prepared. Our firefighters and paramedics are the first line of defense, along with health care workers.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFOX-TV 30 Jacksonville

An interest arbitration board reached a decision Tuesday regarding the FY19 firefighters’ contract, awarding an across-the-board wage increase of 2.25 percent for the July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 agreement, Mayor Joseph J. Solomon announced Wednesday. The decision puts to rest the final issue related to negotiations that had been ongoing since the prior contract expired on June 30, 2018.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Warwick Beacon

New Jersey officials have issued a $108,000 fine to a Burlington County ambulance squad after finding the crew drove an ambulance to 90 emergencies even though the vehicle was not licensed through the state’s Department of Health. Shamong Medical Services, which is part of the Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company, responded to those calls between Oct.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NJ.com

Maybe it’s finally time to recognize the 699 New York City firefighters who battled the famous New York City Telephone Company fire 45 years ago today. Nearly 700 men fought the awful five-alarm inferno that broke out in the early morning hours of Feb. 27, 1975 at the telephone company’s switching center on Second Ave.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Daily News - Metered Site

Firefighters in Graham put new technology to the test on Thursday that could save lives during a firefight. The technology is called "Firefly" and was developed by University of Washington Professor Matthew Tolentino. The tech works like a video-game interface, so an incident commander can track the whereabouts of firefighters as they move around the fire by using an iPad.
- PUB DATE: 2/28/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle