The Laredo (TX) Fire Department and the city responded to criticism that one of its ladder trucks was used by federal agents in a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid of a warehouse in the South Texas border city, msn.com reported.
The Laredo Immigrant Alliance said in a Facebook post that the city’s fire apparatus was used in a raid by ICE agents at a warehouse June 26.
The Laredo Fire Department responded on Facebook with the following statement:
“The Laredo Fire Department would like to address concerns raised by members of our community regarding the presence of LFD units during a recent federal operation near Mile Marker 13 in the industrial area.
“Our involvement was strictly limited to providing medical standby support, as is standard during any large-scale or potentially hazardous operation. Our crews were on scene to ensure rapid medical response in case of emergencies, especially due to the remote location and the potential for high-angle rescue scenarios. Additional resources, including an aerial truck, were deployed purely as a precautionary safety measure.
“We understand that images circulating online may have created confusion or concern, particularly regarding our association with immigration enforcement activities. We want to be clear: The Laredo Fire Department is not involved in deportation efforts or any immigration enforcement operations.
“Our mission is and always will be to serve and protect the health and safety of all residents of Laredo, regardless of immigration status. We are committed to maintaining the trust of our community and continue to work with our public safety partners to ensure the well-being of every person in our city.”
During a news conference, Laredo Mayor Victor Treviño said the city is “not immigration enforcement,” the msn.com report said.
Trevino also stated in the news conference that Laredo is “a law-abiding community and have always collaborated with our state and federal partners.” He reiterated that the city does not conduct immigration enforcement but said that in certain federal operations, fire and law enforcement have been involved for public safety, lmtonline.com reported.
Posted: Jul 7, 2025
Brian Rokos
The Press-Enterprise
(TNS)
The Riverside city firefighter who was struck by a car while extinguishing a brush fire on Monday, June 23, suffered a broken pelvis, according to the union that represents city firefighters.
Local 1067 officials said in a Facebook post that engineer Bart Kennedy has served the department for 30 years and was planning to retire this year.
“Bart was struck by a vehicle and pinned against the fire engine, suffering multiple pelvic fractures. He has a long road to recovery ahead,” the post says.
The union posted a link to a fundraiser on givebutter.com for expenses that are not already covered, such as travel for the family.
“Instead of celebrating his well-earned retirement, he and his family are now focused on his healing and rehabilitation,” the fundraising page says.
Kennedy was one of 29 firefighters who responded to the 2800 block of Canyon Springs Parkway just before 6 p.m. as a fire burned behind a Best Buy and along the eastbound 60 Freeway at Day Street near the Moreno Valley border. The fire engine was parked along the freeway, and Kennedy was at the pump controls when he and the fire engine were struck.
The driver of the car was not reported injured.
A California Highway Patrol spokesperson could not be reached this week to discuss the cause of the crash.
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Posted: Jul 7, 2025
A fire chief from Texas was reportedly among those swept away in a sudden deluge that has left more nearly 70 people dead, according to reports.
Michael Phillips, chief of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department, was responding to an emergency call when he went missing, according to the Houston Chronicle. He was apparently swept away by floodwaters in Cow Creek in Travis County.
According to the latest estimate from the Associated Press, the death toll rose Sunday to 67 dead in flooding in Central Texas and the hill country. Rescuers continued to search for survivors, including almost a dozen girls who went missing from Camp Mystic, a summer camp. More than 20 children were among the dead, according to the latest estimate.
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Posted: Jul 7, 2025
Sandra Diamond Fox
Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
(TNS)
Jul. 4—HARTFORD — Two emergency medical service workers were sent to the hospital Friday after being injured in a collision between their ambulance and another vehicle, Hartford police said.
At about 3:45 p.m., Hartford fire companies responded to Hudson and Buckingham streets for a report of a car accident with an ambulance, said Mario Oquendo, district chief and public information officer for the Hartford Fire Department.
“While responding to a call, the ambulance was reportedly T-boned at the intersection,” he said.
Everyone in the vehicles got out so no one had to be pulled out, Oquendo said.
Two ambulance personnel were transported to the hospital for an evaluation, he said.
Hartford police are on the scene, handling the investigation, he said.
© 2025 Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.. Visit www.journalinquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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