Freeport Rural Fire Department Lt. Eric Kohlbauer died Tuesday after an apparent medical emergency arose while he prepared to train with pumper and tank equipment, Fire Chief Mike Wichman said. Stephenson County Coroner Tom Leamon said an autopsy performed this morning confirmed Kohlbauer died of a heart-related medical problem.
- PUB DATE: 7/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Rockford Register Star

Two months before an alligator killed a toddler at Walt Disney World, firefighters were warned to stop feeding the reptiles at one of the resort's fire stations.The admonitions were in emails from employees at Reedy Creek Emergency Services. Reedy Creek is the Disney-controlled taxing district that provides government services to the theme parks and surrounding areas.
- PUB DATE: 7/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: sun-sentinel

An Ocean City firefighter who may lose his job for being a registered medical marijuana patient cannot proceed with a lawsuit against the city until he undergoes a departmental hearing, a state judge has ruled. If the case makes its way to court, it would likely to be the first of its kind in the state involving the legality of a pubic safety employee's use of medical marijuana.
- PUB DATE: 7/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Newark Star-Ledger

Utah authorities likely will be among the first in the nation to be allowed to disable and crash drones for flying too close to wildfires after lawmakers approved legislation Wednesday. The governor is expected to sign the measure in the coming days. Lawmakers voted during a special session after at least one unmanned aircraft has plagued firefighters recently in the southern part of the state.
- PUB DATE: 7/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KSL-TV NBC 5

VIDEO- A new primary care clinic focused on treating Seattle firefighters is set to open this week. The clinic will be run by Qliance, a Seattle-based membership-based company, and will be located above Seattle’s Fire Station 2 in Belltown. The International Association of Fire Fighters cites studies showing firefighters face a high risk for heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, hepatitis and stress.
- PUB DATE: 7/14/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Northwest Cable News