Glen Merkitch voluntarily resigned from the FDNY after a random drug test found cocaine in his system. Now, more than two years later, Merkitch wants a second chance, and he reasons if redemption is good enough for the fire commissioner’s son, then it’s good enough for him. Merkitch says he was in a dark place when he got high after receiving a visit from the son of his best friend who died on 9/11.
- PUB DATE: 10/28/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Daily News

A nail salon owner in Kansas City’s old Northeast deliberately started a fire in her shop earlier this month that killed two Kansas City firefighters battling the blaze, investigators alleged Tuesday. Prosecutors charged Thu Hong Nguyen, 43, of Kansas City, with first-degree arson and two counts of second-degree murder, or felony murder because the deaths happened as a result of the arson.
- PUB DATE: 10/28/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Kansas City Star

Residents annoyed with Youngwood's emergency siren have been leaving anonymous threatening messages for the borough fire chief and other officials. Fire Chief and Council President Lloyd Crago said he got a vulgar email about the siren on Oct. 5 at the fire department. A similar voicemail message was left at the department on Sunday.
- PUB DATE: 10/28/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Purdue Fire Department is working with Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute to test out what is best explained as a drone that doesn’t fly. It’s an indestructible robot with a camera and a light that allows firefighters to examine a fire situation without ever entering the building. If necessary, firefighters can throw the device through a window and manually control the robot to examine the room.
- PUB DATE: 10/28/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLFI-TV Channel 18

Velocity cab and chassis; Cummins ISX12 500-hp engine; Smart Power 8-kW generator.