After Daniel Helsel and his colleague were dispatched to help a woman in labor at her home Monday morning, the two firefighters joked about the coincidence of the call landing on his birthday. Wouldn’t it be funny if Helsel, who was born in the back of an ambulance, wound up delivering a baby on the way to the hospital just as he had come into the world 42 years ago? It turns out that is exactly what happened minutes after Helsel and his colleagues loaded the mother-to-be in the back of an ambulance heading to Prince George’s Hospital Center.
- PUB DATE: 12/5/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Washington Post

Thousands were forced to flee their homes on Monday as firefighters battled a fast-moving wildfire in Southern California that had charred at least 45,000 acres of land, authorities said. Intensified by strong winds and harsh weather conditions, the fire was impacting structures in downtown Ventura early Tuesday morning, with multiple residential homes on fire near City Hall.
- PUB DATE: 12/5/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: ABC News

There's a huge debate Monday night in Belleville about the city's proposal to eliminate its fire department and let a neighboring township provide services. The idea isn't sitting well with residents and current firefighters. Current firefighters would have to re-apply for their jobs, but residents don't like the idea of the city's only firehouse shutting down.
- PUB DATE: 12/5/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WDIV-TV NBC 4 Detroit

Can you think of a better way to get in the holiday spirit than a fire truck light show? How about a fire truck light show complete with Christmas carols and dubstep music. That is what the Sterling Fire Department in Colorado decided to do to kick off the Christmas holidays in a video which has now gone viral.
- PUB DATE: 12/5/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTSP.com

Worcester (MA) Fire Department heavy rescue. E-ONE Cyclone II cab and chassis; Cummins ISX 500-hp engine; Onan 15-kW generator; 20-foot walk-in rescue body.