Broward County’s firefighter-paramedics are used to wearing protective gear for battling blazes. Now they’ll be getting new protection — body armor vests and helmets — for when they’re assisting victims in incidents involving guns or other dangerous weapons. It’s a sign of the times, officials say, with the proliferation of active shooter and mass casualty cases across the country, including deadly incidents at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in January and at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando last year.
- PUB DATE: 9/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Sun Sentinel

A City of Houston Hurricane Harvey Preparation Plan, obtained by Channel 2 Investigates, shows the Houston Fire Department has shockingly little flood rescue equipment, and it appears to have contributed to millions of dollars in losses for the city in totaled fire trucks. “The reason I think we sank six engine companies is (that) they’re not built for a high-water environment,” said Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena.
- PUB DATE: 9/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPRC-TV NBC 2 Houston

The National Fire Protection Association announced the launch of the NFPA Fire and Life Safety Policy Institute. The Policy Institute will look at a range of issues and advise policymakers on how to improve safety for their citizens, according to NFPA. “We have made tremendous progress in reducing loss from fire since NFPA’s inception, but we are painfully reminded every day that there is more to be done,” NFPA President Jim Pauley said.
- PUB DATE: 9/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FireRescue1

A fire chief said he had to take matters into his own hands when a UPS driver was attacked by pit bulls. Orting Valley Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Steve Goodwin said he rammed a gate when someone at the house refused to open it. The rolling chain-link gate in question is back upright now after the Fire Department crashed through it Wednesday.
- PUB DATE: 9/19/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4

Fox Lake Fire Protection District, Ingleside, IL, pumper. Spartan Metro Star cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump.