Austin Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr on Tuesday testified in front of a U.S. Senate committee about the changing nature of terrorism and how first responders’ must now be prepared for a variety of attacks. Kerr, the president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, spoke before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs about how firefighters prepare themselves for large attacks since 9/11.
- PUB DATE: 2/3/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: austin statesman

VIDEO - An overnight crash of an SUV into a JEA truck filled with propane on Arlington Expressway killed a Jacksonville firefighter, sources told News4Jax. The crash occurred around 11 p.m. Tuesday night just west of the Cesery Boulevard overpass. All westbound lanes of Arlington Expressway are closed for hours while state troopers investigated.
- PUB DATE: 2/3/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WJXT-TV CBS 4 Jacksonville

Nearly 100 first responders and other protesters showed up at Monday’s Beaufort County Commissioners meeting after a commissioner called firemen who provide on-scene medical services “bubbas.” The controversial comments were made by Beaufort County Commissioner Hood Richardson during January’s meeting.
- PUB DATE: 2/3/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WNCN-TV NBC 17

A 30-year-old man pleaded not guilty to attempted murder after shooting at first responders at a crash scene. Cache Valley Daily reported that Cade M. Austin, 30, was driving erratically before he crashed into a large natural gas regulating device on Dec. 15. He then brandished a handgun and exchanged gunfire with Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Hunt.
- PUB DATE: 2/3/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firerescue1

The top two officials in the Pensacola Fire Department are out on administrative leave pending the results of an open investigation. Fire Chief Matt Schmitt and Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Glover were placed on paid leave Tuesday. Details of the investigation were scarce, with city spokesman Vernon Stewart only confirming it would be performed “by an outside organization.
- PUB DATE: 2/3/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Pensacola news journal