The Bluffs apartments, the site of the fatal fire on New Year’s Eve, had no fire alarms, a violation of city codes. The city of Everett has ordered the property owner to install fire alarms on every building where people are now living. The alarms that need to be installed are the type that activate when someone pulls a lever.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2016 12:43:13 PM - SOURCE: Everett Herald

The focus is on building more successful engine driving operations. Topics include how to properly prepare the engine at the start of the shift, correct positioning of the fire apparatus for fire/emergency medical calls, getting a water supply quickly, and troubleshooting apparatus issues. The instructor passes along some tricks of the trade as well. ALL LEVELS

Chad Szeklinski, Heavy Equipment Operator, Milwaukee (WI) Fire Department

When it came time to build his administration last fall, Mayor Kenney didn't hesitate to turn to some familiar faces. Richard Ross was appointed the city's police commissioner. Mike DeBerardinis was tapped to be managing director. Debbie Mahler, Kenney's longtime aide in City Council, was named deputy mayor for intergovernmental affairs.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philadelphia Daily News

A garbage truck exploded after catching fire on a street in Hamilton Tuesday and blasted a hole in the front of a nearby house, though no injuries were immediately reported. A total of four houses were damaged in the 2 p.m. explosion. One the truck's four natural gas tanks exploded in the fire and rocketed into the front of Doris Pattley's home on Fitzrandolph Street, just off Lalor Street, officials said.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Trenton Times

New Orleans' fire chief said a massive six-alarm fire that broke out on Canal Street early Wednesday morning (Jan. 27) has spread to a second building and that the four-story structure initially found burning is in danger of collapsing onto the pavement below. "Collapse is always an issue, as it is in this situation here," New Orleans Fire Department Superintendent Tim McConnell said on the scene at 1018 Canal Street, between South Rampart Street and Roosevelt Way.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New Orleans Times-Picayune & Nola.com