Greta Stuckey
syracuse.com
(TNS)

Hancock, N.Y. — A grand jury has indicted an Upstate New York man involved in a crash that downed wires that electrocuted a volunteer firefighter this summer.

Prosecutors allege the driver was drunk, speeding and using his cell phone.

On Friday, Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced an eight-count indictment against Joseph Bellows Jr., 54, of Downsville, stemming from the July 17 crash on Route 30 in Hancock, according to a news release from State Police.

East Branch Assistant Fire Chief Jason McGlone, 51, went to the crash that night. When he stepped out of the fire truck, he was electrocuted by live wires from a utility pole that had been knocked down in the crash, troopers said.

McGlone, a 25-year volunteer with the department, was driving a rescue-pumper to the crash when a low-hanging electrical wire struck the top of the apparatus, per a preliminary investigation.

When McGlone exited the truck and touched the metal door while standing on the ground, he was electrocuted, officials said.

Despite immediate life-saving efforts, McGlone was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bellows is charged with two misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated: one for operating a vehicle while impaired and another for having a blood alcohol content over the legal limit

Bellows also faces two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter, one count of second-degree manslaughter and one count of criminal mischief for damaging more than $250 worth of property when his car hit the pole, according to Smith.

If Bellows is convicted of the top charge, second-degree manslaughter, he faces 5 to 15 years in state prison, Smith said in a Friday news conference.

McGlone had volunteered with the company for 25 years, serving as assistant chief for 15 years.

“Chief McGlone embodied the courage, commitment and selflessness that define New York’s volunteer firefighters,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said after his death.

East Branch Fire Department Chief Rod Keesler told the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin that McGlone loved hunting, fishing and his family. He also loved to barbecue.

Bellows was arraigned Friday in the Delaware County Court and is being held on $10,000 bail.

©2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit syracuse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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David Aaro
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(TNS)

A DeKalb County firefighter has died after fighting a warehouse fire on Monday, according to a report.

The incident happened as fire crews were battling a blaze on South Stone Mountain Lithonia Road, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Officials have not stated how the firefighter died. A procession of firefighters and agency vehicles was seen leaving Grady Memorial Hospital after the incident, photos showed.

Several metro Atlanta fire departments offered their condolences on social media late Monday.

“Our hearts are heavy as we extend our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters at Dekalb County Fire Rescue Department following the tragic loss of one of their own in the line of duty,” Cherokee County Fire said in a statement. “We stand with you in solidarity during this difficult time and honor the ultimate sacrifice made in service to others.”

In a statement on Facebook, the Paulding County Fire-Rescue Department said it wanted to show sympathy to both DeKalb Company 24 and the entire department.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and brothers & sisters in the fire service during this difficult time,” the statement added.

We are working to learn more. The firefighter’s name has not been released.

©2025 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post DeKalb (GA) Firefighter Reportedly Dies After Warehouse Fire appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.

State Sens. Gene Yaw and Nick Miller recently introduced bipartisan Senate Bill 980, designed to limit the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances beginning in 2026.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in many products since the 1940s. The chemical can build up in the environment and in the human body over time and studies have shown that exposure can lead to adverse health effects.

Yaw, who represents all of Snyder and Union counties, and Miller, said the legislation is the result of extensive collaboration with fire service leaders, emergency responders and industry representatives since the bill was originally introduced in 2019.

A similar bill in the House passed in July unanimously.

The proposal would allow fire companies to use their Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant funding to cover the costs associated with the proper disposal of PFAS-laden foam. Additionally, the state fire commissioner would work in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to ensure responsible and environmentally sound disposal practices.

“Firefighters can face an extremely higher level of PFAS exposure compared to other emergency responders,” Yaw said.

“PFAS contamination is a national public health challenge, and this bill is a commonsense response, which has already been adopted by many states. This bill will undoubtedly protect firefighters moving forward, while also safeguarding our ground and surface water from contamination.”

“Today, we take a significant step toward protecting firefighters and communities across Pennsylvania from exposure to hazardous chemicals known as PFAS,” said Sen. Miller. “This bipartisan legislation is set to phase out these harmful substances while safeguarding the long-term health of our frontline heroes and preventing soil and water contamination. Based on my direct conversations with firefighters in my district and the policy hearings I have conducted, it is evident that firefighters require support now more than ever. This legislation prioritizes their needs and protects those who selflessly serve our communities.”

Yaw and Miller noted the bill maintains an exception for facilities where PFAS-based foam remains critical for safety, including airports, chemical plants, oil refineries and terminals or storage sites handling flammable liquids or natural gas.

© 2025 The Daily Item (Sunbury, Pa.). Visit www.dailyitem.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post PA Lawmakers Weigh Bill Limiting PFAS Use in Firefighting Foam appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Deadwood (SD) Fire & Rescue, a volunteer fire department, announced recently the completion of Brush 6, the department said in a Facebook post.

Brush 6 is built on a 2025 Ford F-550 chassis with a Heiman Fire brush skid. This new apparatus was outfitted with light and siren package by SonTech in Rapid City. In addition, Fire Technician Fetter and Seasonal Fire Assistant Gifford were instrumental in outfitting this new apparatus.

Brush 6 will serve as the primary response unit for wildland incidents in Deadwood’s fire district.

“Deadwood Fire & Rescue looks forward to many years of service from this unit,” the department said.

The post New Brush Truck to Serve as Primary Response for Wildland Fires appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

LUVERNE, M.N., September 5, 2025 – For the eighth time in recent years, and for the third year in a row, Midwest Fire was named one of 50 winners in Prairie Business Magazine’s (Prairie Business) “50 Best Places to Work 2025” contest. This is the second time Midwest Fire has accomplished the three-peat. Prairie Business holds this competition each year to reward and highlight the region’s best places to work, based solely on employee appeal and nominations.

“We are honored to be named among so many highly esteemed businesses in Minnesota,” said Midwest Fire’s CEO, Sarah Atchison. “We believe that taking excellent care of our employees has a trickle-down effect on our customers. Each one receives consistent, exceptional service from our personnel. Our team in Luverne has been instrumental in helping us succeedas a small business in an industry dominated by large conglomerates.”

Midwest Fire also received this recognition in 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024.  The award recognizes employee-nominated companies for exceptional benefits, work culture, general employee happiness, and various other pull factors that retain employees. The winners will be featured in the September issue of the magazine. 

Midwest Fire manufactures custom fire apparatus and utilizes a “factory direct” sales model. They offer continued support to customers with maintenance and repairs. Midwest Fire employees collaborate with fire departments of all sizes across the country to design and craft custom solutions to their community’s fire protection needs.  

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