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Posted: May 26, 2025

Motorcyclist, 30, Killed in Crash With FDNY Apparatus in Brooklyn (NY)

A motorcyclist was killed after he collided with an FDNY truck responding to an emergency call in Brooklyn, cops said Monday.

The 30-year-old victim was riding west on Avenue U when he collided with the firetruck going south on Flatbush Ave. in Marine Park about 11:55 p.m. Sunday, police said.

The fire truck had its lights and sirens blaring, cops said.

Medics rushed the motorcyclist to Brookdale University Hospital but he could not be saved. Police have not yet released his name.

The 49-year-old FDNY member driving the firetruck stayed at the scene. Cops are still investigating the crash.

©2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Posted: May 26, 2025

Prince George’s County (MD) Emergency Vehicle Struck at Accident Scene

Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department were assisting a crash on Route 50 early Sunday, May 25, 2025, when a car rammed into one of its emergency vehicles, nbcwashington.com reported.

No one was seriously injured in the crash.

“A video (above) captured the moment that a vehicle struck PGFD’s Paramedic Engine 830 from Landover Hills,” Prince George’s County said in a Facebook post. “Thankfully, no injuries were reported. The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. Sunday on Route 50 at Veterans Highway.

“Please slow down and move over for emergency vehicles.”

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Posted: May 25, 2025

Douglas County (CO) Debuts New Helicopter, AI Tools to Fight Wildfires

Douglas County officials this week showed off their newest tools for detecting and stamping out wildfires, including a firefighting helicopter and artificial intelligence-powered cameras.

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Commissioners in January inked a $1.5 million deal that included access to the helicopter, which can dump as much as 300 gallons of water at a time, according to a county news release.

The aircraft took flight Friday at a showcase organized by the county.

Commissioner Abe Laydon said in the release that Douglas County is now the only Colorado county with its own dedicated firefighting helicopter and crew on standby year-round.

The county also promoted cameras backed by Pano AI software, which have been credited with the timely discovery and containment of a wildfire sparked in the Bennett Mountain area above Strontia Springs Reservoir last year.

“We’re not waiting for disaster to strike before we act,” Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said in the release. “We’re building a wildfire response system that uses every tool available to protect lives, property and our natural resources.”

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©2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at denverpost.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Posted: May 25, 2025

New Automated Drone System in TX Will Enhance Public Safety, Officials Say

PROSPER, Texas (May 13, 2025) – The Prosper Police Department is proud to announce the implementation of a groundbreaking air-based drone program designed to save lives and enhance public safety. Prosper is the first agency in the State of Texas to launch the Flock Aerodome Drone as First Responder system, which utilizes automated DFR 2.0 technology and advanced systems such as Detect and Avoid (DAA) radar, an integration with Flock911 and Flock License Plate Readers (LPR), and the ability to fly up to 400 feet.

This futuristic addition to the Prosper Police Department is in part thanks to grant funding by the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) Auto Theft Reduction Grant. Combined with the launch of patrol-based drone operations, this program impactfully expands the Town’s Public Safety Programs, revolutionizing community safety.
 
The Prosper Police Department and Fire-Rescue hosted an information session at Prosper Town Hall on May 20, 2025, for those interested in learning more about the program. Speakers at this press conference included Mayor David Bristol, Police Chief Doug Kowalski, Fire Chief Stuart Blasingame and Flock representatives.
 
 “By integrating these advanced drone programs into our operations, we are providing our officers with a powerful tool that significantly enhances safety and service for our community,” said Chief Doug Kowalski. “These programs offer many of the same benefits as helicopters, enabling us to respond to critical incidents with greater precision and effectiveness, ultimately transforming our approach to public safety.”
 
 “I am proud to support the Prosper Police Department in launching this innovative drone program,” said Mayor David Bristol. “This initiative reflects the Town Council’s unwavering commitment to investing in cutting-edge technology that not only enhances public safety but also protects our officers and ensures the well-being of our residents.”
 
 The Flock Aerodome DFR system strategically positions drones at automated battery-swapping docks across the town, enabling Prosper PD pilots to automatically launch and manually pilot the drones to service calls and emergency situations with an average response time of 86 seconds. This innovation marks a significant advancement in safeguarding the Prosper community. Furthermore, the patrol-based drone program, managed by certified Prosper Police Officers, offers equally impactful benefits, further enhancing response capabilities.

“Many of us here are first responders ourselves, and we know that every second counts in an emergency,” said Rahul Sidhu, VP of Aviation at Flock Safety. “We’re honored to partner with Prosper PD to deploy and maintain the first Flock Aerodome DFR program in the state of Texas.”
 
 These initiatives elevate community protection, improve response efficiency, and support police in search-and-rescue operations, establishing aerial perimeters and providing real-time situational awareness during critical incidents. The Flock Aerodome system and existing Flock Safety License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras are integrated on a common platform, enabling DFR pilots to quickly dispatch aerial assets to gather additional visual evidence following an LPR alert. First responders can reach the scene within 86 seconds

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Posted: May 25, 2025

Brentwood (CA) City Council to Discuss Rejected Downtown Fire Station June 10

Hema Sivanandam
Bay Area News Group
(TNS)

BRENTWOOD — Just days after the Brentwood Planning Commission rejected plans for a new downtown fire station, a city councilmember filed an appeal. Now, the issue is headed to the City Council for discussion.

Set to be heard on June 10, Councilmember Tony Oerlemans said he filed the appeal and scheduled the discussion because he felt planning commissioners “weren’t asking any questions” and dismissed the application.

Oerlemans said commissioners instead focused on details such as a lack of trees, generator location, and brick materials. The councilmember said he wanted to be “a little more informed and knowledgeable” about the project to make an informed decision on it.

“I felt the City Council should research it themselves and be able to make that decision. I think maybe we could ask if you (fire district) are interested in changing any of that? Could you make any modifications? Is there a reason it’s set this way, or are you guys so set that it has to be this way, then we have to deny it?” said Oerlemans. “I don’t think it was there. It was just a flat no.”

As a Brentwood resident for over 20 years, Oerlemans said he remembers the obsolete Fire Station 54, which was previously used by East Contra Costa Fire Protection District in the same location where the recently rejected Fire Station 94 was proposed.

Oerlemans said firefighters used to hand out stickers to kids, bringing them closer to the community rather than merely responding to emergencies.

“Now I’m not 100% set (the fire station) has to be downtown, but if that’s where the fire department plans on building it, and if it’s going to get delayed to move to a different location, I would prefer not to wait,” he said. “I don’t think the residents of Brentwood should have to suffer for another two or three years without an additional fire station.”

On May 6, the Brentwood Planning Commission denied a design review application from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to construct the new 8,137-square-foot Fire Station 94 next to Brentwood Veteran’s Memorial Hall on First Street.

A rendering of Fire Station 94. (Source: Contra Costa Fire Protection District)

In their denial, commissioners cited the building’s architectural design as lacking in resemblance to others in the area. They said it also did not reflect the city’s agricultural roots.

Commissioners also found the project fell short in meeting the adequate landscaping required under the city’s Downtown Specific Plan.

This was the second time the project came before the planning commission. In March, commissioners deferred their decision despite hours of discussion as they instructed city staff to provide details on the impact that Fire Station 94 would have on traffic, noise, and air quality.

Following the May 6&nb

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