If you're going to burn leaves or anything else in your yard, first find out if you need a permit to burn. You can check your county's website or call your local fire department for that information.

Never leave a fire unattended and don't toss out lit cigarettes on the ground or while driving; it really can cause roadside fires.

Stoughton has seen at least three significant house fires in the past two months, on Pearl Street, Prospect Street and Sumner Street.

The LBJ Fire Academy, housed at LBJ High School, was established in 2006 and has about 200 graduates. The two-year program gives students the opportunity to receive firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) certification and college credit. Not all of the students will go into fire service. The medical aspects may spur some to go to into nursing or attend medical school. Others may attend the program for the challenge—and it certainly looks good on a college resume.

"It was amazing. It was the surprise of my life. Honestly, the support, the love that I just received was awesome," said Brandt.

Brandt then signed the side of the fire truck, joining hundreds, if not thousands of people from around the country we have signed it as well.