On Feb. 9 passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (H.R. 1892) which funds the federal government through March 22 and raises government spending limits. H.R. 1982 also contains several provisions which address challenges facing the fire and emergency service. H.R. 1892 contains some of the most significant EMS reimbursement reforms that Congress has enacted in several years.
- PUB DATE: 2/14/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs

Sixty years ago, Firefighter Donald Blaskovich left a theatre where "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs" was staged to witness an all-too-real living hell. The 85-year-old FDNY retiree, a member of the now defunct Engine Company 13, is the last firefighter alive to have fought the deadly blaze at the Elkins Paper Company on Wooster St.
- PUB DATE: 2/14/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse

Mayor Jean Stothert said she first saw the "soda can" alert when she watched our KETV report. Some firefighters place pop cans on top of a printer that activates when emergency calls come in--causing the pop cans to fall to the floor making a loud noise. "When I saw the cell phone video, I was very disappointed firefighters want to give the idea to the public their safety is at risk," Mayor Stothert said.
- PUB DATE: 2/14/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KETV-TV ABC 7 Omaha

Clark County firefighters responded to a furry critter trapped in a flue Sunday night. Paramedic Jordan Scott said the call came in around dinner time from a resident in the Hazel Dell area. She said there was a squirrel stuck in her fire box. Firefighters responded and spotted the tail, but the squirrel ran further up the flue.
- PUB DATE: 2/14/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KATU

Riga Township (MI) Fire Department, pumper-tanker. Freightliner M2 cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 350-hp engine. Hale DSD 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 3,000-gallon tank.