A businessman linked to the warehouse where a Chicago firefighter plunged to his death has received a string of municipal violations and a series of fines for "dangerous and unsafe conditions" at other properties he has managed or owned. Jatin Patel has been fined thousands of dollars over the past decade for an array of code violations discovered by the city, according to court documents.
- PUB DATE: 2/4/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: chicago tribune

Skagit County Fire District 7 reported this week it has been the victim of a scam that has defrauded the district of about $75,000. The district had planned to use the money to buy a firetruck. According to a news release from the district, someone pretending to be the district’s secretary sent an email to the Skagit County Treasurer’s Office requesting $75,500 be wired from the district’s account to another account.
- PUB DATE: 2/4/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: skagit valley herald

A lively debate on fireground tactics erupted on the show floor as two experienced fire officers squared off in a moderated panel session at Firehouse World 2016 on Tuesday afternoon. The debate focused on whether the “hit it hard from the yard” tactic of fire suppression was effective or defective when it comes to saving life and property.
- PUB DATE: 2/4/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firehouse

When a fire broke out last year near a Utah mountain lake, firefighters encountered an object that proved a bigger problem than any of the flames: A drone buzzing nearby that forced them to halt their efforts until they could ensure it was gone. Fire crews can't risk the unmanned aerial devices colliding with their planes and helicopters, so they pull out until the drones are gone, said Jason Curry of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.
- PUB DATE: 2/4/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KSL-TV NBC 5

New York’s Volunteer Firefighters not only save lives, they also save billions in tax dollars for the state. In fact, New Yorkers save more than $3 billion each year due to the services provided by the State’s volunteer fire service according to a financial impact study released today by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY).
- PUB DATE: 2/4/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firefighternation