The IAFC and Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, today announced the winners of the 2016 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year awards at Fire-Rescue International (FRI) in San Antonio, Texas. Chief Willard H. “Bill” Halmich, Washington (Mo.) Volunteer Fire Company, was named volunteer Fire Chief of the Year and Chief Harry Beck, Mesa (Ariz.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs

Six firefighters became entrapped by the "Blue Cut" wildfire while defending homes and assisting evacuations in the Cajon Pass area Tuesday, officials said. The six firefighters were part of the two San Bernardino County Fire Department and assigned to the Swarthout Canyon – west of Cajon Pass. They were able to shelter in place in a nearby building, SBCF spokeswoman Tracey Martinez said.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KSWB-TV Fox 5 San Diego

A Wyoming, Michigan firefighter says he was fired last week because city officials didn't want him to work as a paid-on-call firefighter for Jamestown Township during his off-duty hours. Thomas Saladino was fired Aug. 10 after 23 years in Wyoming. He said Department of Public Safety Chief James Carmody and City Manager Curtis Holt were upset that Saladino advocated for a "two-hatter" protection law – which allows firefighters to work in multiple fire departments.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: MLIVE.com

American flags were removed from three fire trucks in New York on Tuesday sparking heated discussion on social media and disappointment from union members. Arlington Fire Chief Tory Gallante was directed by the Board of Fire Commissioners to remove the flags from the backs of the trucks during Monday's meeting.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Poughkeepsie Journal

Firefighters experience post-traumatic stress disorder at rates similar to what's seen among combat veterans, according to a new report released Tuesday by the International Association of Fire Fighters. While firefighters aren't exposed to the same type of trauma soldiers see in a theater of war, elements of their daily job can be traumatic with the sheer volume of calls, the nature of the job and the possibility of losing a colleague in the line of duty, said Alvin White, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association who was in Las Vegas for the association's convention.
- PUB DATE: 8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Houston Chronicle