Active duty Yonkers Fire Lt. John "J-Rod" Rodriguez died Tuesday night from a 9/11-related cancer. He was 53 years old. Rodriguez leaves behind a wife and two children. "John Rodriguez was first and foremost a family man, a loving and devoted husband and proud father," said Yonkers Fire Union President Barry McGoey, who joined the department with Rodriguez in October 2000.
- PUB DATE: 10/20/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: NY Journal News (Lohud.com)

Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago on Wednesday defended his 60-day suspension of a lieutenant who refused to send underlings into an area where they might be exposed to Ebola but said the city will accept an arbitrator’s ruling overturning the suspension. Santiago said the decision not to appeal the arbitrator’s ruling had nothing to do with the no-confidence vote taken Sept.
- PUB DATE: 10/20/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chicago Sun-Times

Two firefighters were rescued after falling through a stairwell in a burning home Thursday morning at Eichelberger Street and Wherry Avenue. Authorities say they fell through a stairwell about 10 feet into the basement. They were being evaluated for injuries. No further details were immediately available about what injuries they suffered.
- PUB DATE: 10/20/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A Phoenix firefighter was called to the home where he grew up to help in the effort to save his father's life. Derek Dee was on Engine 20 when he realized he was headed to his parents' home on Sept. 10. Dee's father, 71-year-old Tommy Dee, was suffering from cardiac arrest. His mother called 911 and his parents' neighbor performed CPR.
- PUB DATE: 10/20/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CBS 5 AZ KPHO

Off-duty firefighters are searching on both sides of the Cascades looking for Ken Ward. He is a fellow firefighter who has been missing since Oct. 16. Ward has been a firefighter at Mountain View King County Fire District #44 for 10 years and always shows up for work. When he didn't show up Monday, fellow firefighters and his family knew something was wrong.
- PUB DATE: 10/20/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4