Community paramedics are the way of the future, according to Chief John Cermak of North County Regional Fire Authority. “It’s proactive medicine, as opposed to reactive,” Cermak said. “A community paramedic can prevent 911 calls.” Indeed, he is working with a group to get a CP for North County, as part of a grant request developed by the North County Accountable Community of Health (NCACH) that serves Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan, Island and Snohomish counties.
- PUB DATE: 12/13/2017 7:00:25 AM - SOURCE: Stanwood/Camano News

The union representing Atlantic City firefighters says a Gov. Christie-appointed state overseer has hired a private investigator to track firefighters who are out on leave at their homes. The allegation was contained in a filing that asked Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez to block “drastic” pay cuts the state sought to impose Dec.
- PUB DATE: 12/13/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philly.com

Miami's firefighters union agreed Tuesday to help six members -- fired after they were accused of "sexually explicit and racially offensive conduct" -- get their jobs back. The men had filed grievances with the union contesting their terminations. The matter will now go to the city and then, most likely, to arbitration.
- PUB DATE: 12/13/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WPLG-TV ABC Local10.com - Miami & Fort Lauderdale

Four people allegedly involved in an attempted sexual assault and harassment of a 17-year-old at Fallston Volunteer Fire Company have been arrested, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday. Andrew Burkins, 21, of the 900 block of Winters Court in Bel Air, John Hefner, 20, of the 2400 block of Burham Drive in Fallston, and Colby Ogrysko, 19, of the 1900 block of Pleasantville Road in Forest Hill, are each charged with attempted first- and second-degree rape, third- and fourth-degree sex offense, second-degree assault, harassment and two counts of conspiracy to commit third-degree sex offense, according to online court records.
- PUB DATE: 12/13/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Baltimore Sun

Four Oakland firefighters walked through the Ghost Ship warehouse two years before a fire there killed 36 people, one of them testified Tuesday. Oakland Fire Captain George Freelen said he became concerned during the informal 20-minute survey about the “high fire load” of material stocked inside the artist collective.
- PUB DATE: 12/13/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: SFGate.com