A debate over fire services in Ross, California, centers on reopening a closed firehouse. Supporters argue costs are unfair, while officials defend existing emergency services. A council meeting is set for January 8.

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Avondale and West Grove fire companies in New Garden, Pennsylvania, voted to merge on November 22, forming a $5 million regional department by January 1, 2027, covering 120 square miles.

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Crews have the large fire at a Roselle Park flooring company under control. Police are still blocking off the area in front of the Crossfield Products Corporation. News 12 is told the building makes resin for floors. Crews responded to the fire on Valley Road near the corner of Westfield Avenue around 4:45 p.m. Thursday.

Mayor Joseph Signorello Jr. says thankfully there have been no reports of any injuries so far. Mutual aid from surrounding towns stayed through the night to get the fire under control. The fire did not spread to any other buildings in this residential area.

Multiple homes were evacuated as a safety precaution, and some did lose power but the lights are back on in the neighborhood. Roselle Park Police asked residents to keep windows and doors closed because of poor air quality from the heavy smoke.

There were reports of strong odors from the chemicals. This morning there is very little smoke. The mayor added that crews are going to bring in heavy equipment to safely address any remaining concerns with the building and officials have not yet given a cause.

News 12 New Jersey

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Volunteer fire and EMS departments in Dubuque County have a new avenue to fund first responders — and possibly a helpful tool for recruitment and retention.

The state recently allocated $1.5 million to volunteer firefighters, emergency medical service providers and reserve peace officers through a program that requires a local match. First responders can receive an up-to-$500 benefit each, but the amount depends on how many departments apply.

“The Length of Service Award Program was designed as a way to enhance recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters,” said Mike Lambert, director for the Key West Community Fire Department. “Once our firefighters realize that this could be a benefit, maybe it’ll increase participation from our volunteers. With any organization, we always want to increase the participation.”

The Gazette

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VIDEO: Around 40 people are dead and around 115 others were severely injured after a fire broke out during a New Year’s Eve celebration at a bar in a Swiss Alps resort, authorities said Thursday.

Calling it an “unprecedented tragedy,” Valais canton police commander Frédéric Gisler said many of the injured are in critical condition.

“The priority will be to identify those who lost their lives,” Gisler said at a news conference. Swiss President Guy Parmelin said that many of the victims were young people and the victims include Swiss residents as well as tourists from neighboring countries and elsewhere.

“Behind these numbers are faces, names, families, destinies brutally interrupted,” Parmelin said at the press conference.

The new year was less than two hours old when the fire that devoured the Le Constellation in the town of Crans-Montana was first reported around 1:30 a.m. (7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday), Gisler said.

NBC News

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