When St. Petersburg Fire Rescue responded to a call about a self-inflicted gunshot suicide Tuesday evening, the emergency crew discovered the victim was one of their own. "We're seeing a real spike in suicides," James Large, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Chief, said. More first responders died by suicide last year than in the line of duty.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFLA-TV NBC 8

Wayne County prosecutors kicked a warrant request back to the Detroit Police Department in the case of a fire union official accused of publicly sharing sensitive information about witnesses in a homicide case. Police Chief James Craig confirmed earlier this month that detectives were investigating social media posts by Mike Nevin, president of the Detroit Fire Fighters Association.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Detroit Free Press

At a time when firefighter associations nationwide are struggling to keep afloat, nearly $245 million sits untouched in a fund designed to help New Jersey firefighters — thanks to an “antiquated” law restricting its use, the state comptroller asserted Wednesday. The money — collected through a tax and intended for the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association, as well as the state’s 538 local relief associations — has barely been touched in decades, and the state nonprofit’s monitoring of its use has been flawed, according to Comptroller Philip James Degnan.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philly.com

A released video shows a fire engine running away without a driver behind the wheel. While it may seem comical at first watch, when you watch it again and again, you will hopefully realize the seriousness of this incident. While fireground safety is always a concern for every firefighter and incident commander, we really don’t think or consider the danger of a runaway engine – because it’s not supposed to be a part of our consideration.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FireRescue1

Officials are pushing for the reinstatement of FDNY Engine Company 261 to support the growing population of Long Island City. Politicians, firefighter union leaders and local residents say it was a mistake to remove the firehouse from active use 15 years ago during Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s time, reports CBS2’s Dave Carlin.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CBS New York