An organization representing African-American firefighters and paramedics on Thursday asked the U.S. Department of Justice to expand its probe of the Chicago Police Department to include the Fire Department, saying hiring and disciplinary practices there are unfair. The African-American Firefighters & Paramedics League of Chicago also demanded that Mayor Rahm Emanuel dismiss Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago, alleging that Santiago has failed to investigate claims that minority firefighters are disciplined and demoted unjustly.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: chicago tribune

The specter of a lawsuit led the city on Wednesday to withdraw conditional offers of employment to three future city firefighters who were expected to start training at the state fire academy next month. Mayor Michael Passero said Risk Manager Paul Gills initially had raised concerns about the way the firefighter candidates were chosen.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firehouse

Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium is one month away. And a number of Bay Area police officers and firefighters are commemorating the event with special badges on their uniforms. But first responders in one local department are not being allowed to wear, or even buy, them. The Santa Clara Police Department has a major role ensuring the game goes off without a hitch.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTVU-TV Oakland, San Francisco, Bay Area

Memphis mayor Jim Strickland is paying some of his top aides big six figure salaries. While city council members debated giving these raises, one retired firefighter is looking at his check. After paying for insurance, his mortgage and other deductions, his take home check every two weeks is exactly $7.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Myeyewitnessnews

(VIDEO) Officials say an employee in a bikini coffee stand was injured during a fire in Everett. Everett Fire officials say a call came in around 4:45 p.m. Thursday about a possible explosion at the Sinners and Saints Coffee stand at 4th Avenue and Everett Mall Way. Assistant Everett Fire Marshal Eric Hicks said a young barista was inside the stand at the time and suffered burns to her body while escaping the flames.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2016 10:31:02 PM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5