A long-time U.S. Fire Administration educator died unexpectedly Wednesday. Dr. Cortez Lawrence was transported to the hospital after falling ill, where he later died, according to FirefighterCloseCalls.com. Dr. Lawrence, a fire educator specialist, has worked at numerous public safety and fire organizations.
- PUB DATE: 3/2/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FireRescue1

The fire commanders at the scene of the airplane crash Monday in Riverside had to make a decision: Did rescuers have a realistic chance of safely entering the home the plane hit and saving anyone as the flames burned fiercely? Fire Chief Michael Moore said the flames initially were burning on the exterior of the house, so after a quick assessment, the answer was yes.
- PUB DATE: 3/2/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Los Angeles Daily News

A house fire in Riddle killed four children early Wednesday morning, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said. Another child and two adults were taken to a Portland hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The fire broke out shortly after 2 a.m. in the 700 block of East Third Avenue, deputies said.
- PUB DATE: 3/2/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Oregonian

Volunteer firefighters from the Salisbury Fire Department threatened to separate from the city last week to form their own company. The threat highlighted a long history of tension between volunteers and career firefighters in the city, but similar struggles are common to any fire department that incorporates career and volunteer firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 3/2/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Delmarva Now

The city of Springfield lowered the passing grade on a written exam to become a firefighter, a change that concerns union leadership. Every prospective firefighter for the Springfield Fire Division must pass a written exam. Before, the minimum score was 70. Now, the passing grade is 66, which the city said is to expand its pool of potential candidates.
- PUB DATE: 3/2/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WHIO-TV Dayton