Firefighters in Miami Beach are concerned that nepotism played a role in selecting this year’s recruit class, creating an unfair hiring process and possible safety risks, according to three current firefighters who spoke on the condition of anonymity. More than 500 people applied for coveted positions with the Miami Beach Fire Department last fall and 124 made it past the written exam and physical agility test to the interview round.
- PUB DATE: 5/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Miami Herald

A public service announcement that spotlights the shortage of volunteer firefighters in Connecticut is up for an Emmy award. Shot by professional cinematographer and Hebron volunteer firefighter Matthew Troy, “See You Out There” features 85 volunteers from 16 departments across the state. The regional Emmy awards are to be presented on June 15 in Boston.
- PUB DATE: 5/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Hartford Courant

VIDEO: A strong wind gust thrust a bounce house-type inflatable into the air Wednesday, injuring five Washington state high school students, officials said. The inflatable went airborne at about 2:30 p.m. during an Associated student body event at Zillah High School, outside of Yakima, according to a statement from the school.
- PUB DATE: 5/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NBC News

Eight firefighters and a police officer were injured at a solar energy storage facility in the aptly named town of Surprise, Arizona last month when they answered a call to inspect an energy storage system (ESS) fire. The situation quickly took a turn for the worse when an explosion blew the container’s doors off.
- PUB DATE: 5/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FireRescue1.com