The city of Chula Vista is on the hook for more than $1 million after losing a lawsuit filed by a former fire chief. Former Deputy Fire Chief James Garcia sued the city after he claimed he found himself the victim of discrimination. "I was one of those little boys who was 8 years old that decided I wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up," said Garcia.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KGTV ABC 10 San Diego

Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office have determined the cause of an explosion that injured two student firefighters and an instructor back in the fall. The incident took place on October 4 during a training exercise at a Mobile Live Fire Training Unit trailer, which was set up in South Hadley.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WWLP-TV Springfield

The two El Paso County emergency districts are seeking a declaratory judgment from the 448th District Court to prevent the county from having final authority of their budgets and tax rates. The emergency services districts filed a lawsuit against the county Dec. 29. The lawsuit was discussed by the Commissioners Court on Monday in executive session, but no action was taken in public.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: El Paso Times

A former city fire inspector was awarded just over $1 million for his lawsuit claiming he suffered years of harassment from the fire department because he had cited safety violations at businesses in the city. A Superior Court jury on Friday awarded Fred Bonda $750,000 for lost wages and $350,000 emotional distress.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NJ.com

Calling 911 can be a lifesaver for those who need help or medical attention, but not everyone who calls actually has an emergency. In February 2016, firefighters with the Tucson Fire Department noticed they were getting called to a few hundred homes all the time. Those people, many of them elderly, were overusing the 911 button.
- PUB DATE: 1/31/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tucson News Now