The widow of a Houston fire captain is suing Motorola over allegations that faulty radios were to blame for the massive brain injury her husband suffered during the deadly 2013 Southwest Inn blaze. William “Iron Bill” Dowling was among more than a dozen firefighters injured in Houston Fire Department’s deadliest tragedy when the hotel roof collapsed 12 minutes into the five-alarm call.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Houston Chronicle

Researchers designed a communication intervention strategy to increase post-fire decontamination behaviors in a group of firefighters. Here’s what happened. The decon challenge: Routine firefighting can expose firefighters to substantial cancer risk. A study in 2015 estimated that firefighters have a 14 percent increased lifetime cancer risk compared to the general public.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: U.S. Fire Administration

Two lawmakers in New York City have issued a siren call of sorts, arguing that the shrill sound of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances has got to go. If passed, the legislation would require all emergency vehicles to change their sirens within two years to an alternating high and low sound similar to that heard in many European countries.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NPR.org

VIDEO: They’re often near the front lines while clearing a path and working side by side California’s firefighters. “It’s a big opportunity,” said an inmate firefighter. But after serving a prison sentence, inmate’s careers are over. “When they leave that service they’re told that they will never ever be allowed to be a firefighter,” said Assemblymember Eloise Reyes.
- PUB DATE: 2/27/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CBS13

Summit Fire & Medical District, Flagstaff, AZ, pumper-tanker. Freightliner M2 cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSPA PTO1,000-gallon pump; UPF Poly 3,000-gallon tank.