(VIDEO) City firefighters practiced rescue civilians and each other during their last training of the quarter Wednesday, March 30. Each of Bellingham Fire Department’s four shifts took turns dropping by a training facility on Britton Loop Road to “tie the bow” on the various skills they had been practicing since January, said Ryan Provencher, training division chief.
- PUB DATE: 4/1/2016 1:50:53 AM - SOURCE: Bellingham Herald

The Houston Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its own after a cadet collapsed and died Thursday morning during a training exercise. Steven Whitfield II, 32, was participating in an obstacle course when he collapsed near the end, according to firefighters. Authorities said other cadets and instructors on the course noticed Whitfield was in trouble and quickly rescued him.
- PUB DATE: 4/1/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KPRC-TV NBC 2 Houston

A Providence fire captain remains hospitalized after battling a massive fire on Eaton Street Thursday afternoon. The flames started at a triple-decker home near Providence College and quickly spread to nearby homes. Heavy winds fueled the flames and the home was engulfed before crews arrived. Captain Joseph Fontaine was taken to Roger Williams Medical Center but has since been transferred to Rhode Island Hospital.
- PUB DATE: 4/1/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WPRI-TV Providence 12

Overreliance on 911 has led to a $20 million annual shortfall in the Memphis Fire Department's EMS budget. It's a problem many departments are facing. Memphis Division Chief Andrew Hart says the number of ambulance rides increased 24 percent to more than 124,000 trips each year from where it was five years ago.
- PUB DATE: 4/1/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firechief.com

Lorain City Council approved a $28 million budget Thursday night and sealed the fate of up to 15 firefighters. Those hard-working individuals will lose their jobs as the city attempts to make up for a $3.6 million budget shortfall while keeping jobs and city services intact. City officials tell Cleveland 19 that one fire station will close, but Lorain firefighter Tom Baker says it's going to be a lot worse.
- PUB DATE: 4/1/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WXIX-TV FOX 19 Cincinnati