The Ocean City–Wright Fire Control District Board of Fire Commissioners recently rescinded the suspensions of longtime Fire Chief Billy Lord and Deputy Fire Chief Scott Funchess. The board had agreed in September to suspend both men without pay after an investigator claimed they had used inappropriate language in the workplace.
- PUB DATE: 11/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Northwest Florida Daily News

Aug. 22, 2016, is the day Andrea Shipp and Jennifer Goerlitz thought their little girl would not live another day. "Nobody knew what the outcome was going to be," Goerlitz said. "I think Andrea and I have lived in this denial stage for a while." If it hadn't been for the rapid response of Longmont firefighters and paramedics, Clara's mothers don't think their daughter — who has been diagnosed with congenital myopathy, chronic respiratory insufficiency and gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis — would have survived a cardiac arrest.
- PUB DATE: 11/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Daily Camera

A firefighter was injured Friday while battling flames at an automotive shop in Pompano Beach, authorities said. The fire was reported at Lowther Automotive Inc. on SW 14th Avenue. WPLG-TV's helicopter was above the scene shortly before noon and saw significant damage to the roof. The fire had already been extinguished.
- PUB DATE: 11/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WJXT-TV CBS 4 Jacksonville

Once Lackawanna Fire Chief Ralph Galanti saw the blaze that was consuming the former Bethlehem Steel plant Wednesday morning, he quickly turned over the battle to the Buffalo Fire Department. That was just 30 minutes into the fire. The fire was too big for Lackawanna’s 50-member fire department. Buffalo has 700.
- PUB DATE: 11/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Buffalo News

The fire service is and always has been built on pride, tradition, brotherhood and service. There are many examples throughout the history of the fire service of all of these characteristics. There are also examples recently of a decline in these characteristics, specifically pride. What happened to always honoring what those who came before us built? What happened to always leaving the job better than you found it? When did the fire service stop being a calling and become just a job? Being a firefighter is a privilege and it seems many in the fire service have forgotten what the fire service stands for.
- PUB DATE: 11/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse