Capt. Scott Ferguson, who served three decades with Rural Metro Fire Department and was known as an accomplished musician in his off-time, died while on duty Sept. 8. He was 57. Ferguson suffered “a major cardiac event on duty” that left him in very critical condition, said Battalion Chief John Walka.
- PUB DATE: 9/12/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tucson Arizona Daily Star

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed new legislation that expands unlimited paid sick leave benefits for 9/11 first responders. First responders to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, who later developed an illness as a result, could now be eligible for unlimited paid sick leave. “When the towers came down, those big clouds that people breathed in, there may be people who ran from that scene, who may be diagnosed with the 9/11 disease and not even know it yet,” Clifton Park Fire Chief Art Hunsinger said.
- PUB DATE: 9/12/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTEN.com

PHOTO - When Robin Malone saw him climbing step after step at Rhodes Fitness Monday, she knew she had to tell someone. One by one, Gulfport firefighter Collin Stuart climbed stairs on the exercise machine until he reached the equivalent of 110 floors — and he wore his firefighter uniform for the entire duration.
- PUB DATE: 9/12/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Sun Herald

A new three-year contract between the town and call firefighters provides financial incentive to those who respond to emergency calls often, officials say. Fire Chief Thomas Daige said Monday under the deal - which the Board of Selectmen ratified last week - volunteer firefighters who do not respond to at least 50 percent of calls each month can have their stipend withheld.
- PUB DATE: 9/12/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Wicked Local Hopedale

Cody Meredith mounted a U.S. flag — black and white, with a single red stripe — on his pickup to send a message of his respect for fallen firefighters. But when he drove to work Monday, his supervisors at Crete Area Medical Center gave him a message of their own, his wife said: Take the flag off the truck, or take the truck off hospital property.
- PUB DATE: 9/12/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Lincoln Journal Star