When Hopkinton paramedics arrived at the scene of a man barricaded in a small outbuilding with a sawed-off shotgun in December, the crew stood by wearing new gear: bulletproof vests and helmets. While the nearly two-hour standoff ended peacefully, such equipment is becoming more common for firefighters and EMTs as they are increasingly thrown in the middle of hostile situations, including active shooter and mass casualty incidents.
- PUB DATE: 7/23/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Wicked Local - Hopkinton

Firefighters said two South Pierce firefighters risked their lives to save a young girl with special needs from a burning home in Graham on Friday. The girl later passed away at the hospital. Even for firefighters, the call needed them to go above and beyond; an 11-year-old girl was trapped inside her Graham home, engulfed in flames.
- PUB DATE: 7/23/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4

The man who sparked a fierce gun battle and a long standoff with police at a Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake surrendered early Saturday evening after his rampage left one woman dead and at least two wounded. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the death during a televised news conference, saying the woman was pulled out of the store by authorities and declared dead at the scene.
- PUB DATE: 7/23/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Los Angeles Times

Jim Schanel has feared for his life during his four-decade career as a wildland firefighter. He fought Hayman, Waldo Canyon, Black Forest, the 117. But the day that haunts him — the day he can’t recall without tears — is June 30, 2013. That’s the day he thought a wildfire had killed his son. Schanel was battling Colorado’s West Fork fire with a Type I incident management team, protecting structures near the headwaters of the Rio Grande River, when he got a call: “Your son is missing.
- PUB DATE: 7/23/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Gazette

A member of the Orting Fire Department who suffered from PTSD was found dead Sunday. Captain Art Vazquez had been missing since Saturday. “It’s with a heavy heart that Orting Valley Fire and Rescue and the International Association of Firefighters Local 4459 announce the passing of one of our beloved members, Captain Art Vazquez,” Orting Valley Fire and Rescue said on Facebook.
- PUB DATE: 7/22/2018 6:13:16 PM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13