The Orange County Fire Authority broke department protocols in its response to the Canyon 2 Fire by not deploying enough equipment after receiving early reports of flames, an independent investigation has determined. The report bolsters concerns that a bungled response might have allowed a small blaze to grow into the county’s most destructive wildfire in at least a decade.
- PUB DATE: 3/30/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Orange County Register

A Senate bill to pay for firefighter cancer benefits was sent to the House after being stripped of its funding source last week, but the governor and bill’s sponsor believe the legislation could still result in the benefits being funded. SB 541, which would have used a surcharge on insurance policies to fund benefits for firefighters presumed to have gotten cancer from their work, passed the Senate March 22 after being amended to remove the surcharge funding approach, said state Sen.
- PUB DATE: 3/30/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Seacoast Online

A Utica firefighter pleaded not guilty Thursday to three misdemeanor charges stemming from a Jan. 6 incident in which he allegedly harassed a female co-worker. The defendant, Richard Forte, was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, offering a false written statement and third-degree criminal tampering.
- PUB DATE: 3/30/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Utica Observer-Dispatch

Firefighters battled a three-alarm blaze inside a church in North Philadelphia on Thursday. The blaze started before 2:30 p.m. Thursday inside The Original Apostolic Faith Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in the 1500 block of North Broad Street. Crews arrived at a fully engulfed building located near Temple University.
- PUB DATE: 3/30/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WPVI-TV 6 ABC.com

The blame for a series of Cabell County wild fires has been laid at the feet of two former area firefighters. Former Ona Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Landy Chapman and former Salt Rick Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Allen Black have both been charged with felonies, surprising people in Salt Rock.
- PUB DATE: 3/30/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCHS-TV ABC 8