Dan J. Peters, a respected leader in the fire service, passed away on May 21, 2026. He is remembered for his leadership, mentorship, and deep commitment to the fire and emergency response community.

The post Fire Service Industry Executive Daniel T. Peters Passes Away appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

VIDEO: A retired firefighter from Rogers Park who was born in Romania has climbed more than one dozen mountains, and despite being in his mid-70s, it seems he hasn’t yet reached his peak.

In Des Plaines, Viorel “Wally” Stirbu was praised after accomplishing a feat most could only dream of. “You can do it if you put your mind together, you train hard, and you’ve got a dream,” Stirbu said.

The 75-year-old retired Chicago firefighter, who spent 27 years with CFD, was honored at the Romanian Heritage Center after becoming one of the oldest mountain climbers to complete the Seven Summits challenge, reaching the highest peak on each of the seven continents.

“It was a little bit emotional because you’re thinking about, ‘Man, this is it? That’s it?'” Stirbu said. After 14 years, Stirbu completed the challenge last week by scaling Mount Everest and unfurling the CFD flag at the literal top of the world.

“To climb Everest at 75 years, it’s an example and a testament of courage,” said Consul General of Romania in Chicago Lucian-Ilie Stnic.

For Stirbu, that climb was bittersweet after surviving an avalanche on Mount Everest in 2015 that killed his friend, Google executive Dan Fredinburg. “I took his picture to the summit, and I say, ‘Hey Dan, you climb with me, man, wherever you are in heaven,'” Stirbu said.

For Stirbu, the journey continues. He says there are more mountains to climb. “But I just want to take my time, recoup, and see what my guide says,” Stirbu said. In his retirement, Stirbu also competes in triathlons. He hopes his accomplishments inspire people of all ages to challenge themselves.

WLS-TV ABC 7 Chicago

The post 75-year-old retired Chicago firefighter climbs Mount Everest, completes Seven Summits challenge appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

PHOTOS: The explosion that destroyed a Plainfield Township home, killing a man and critically injuring a woman, was all captured on a neighbor’s Ring camera Tuesday morning.

The footage from a neighbor’s camera shows the home on Rollaway Drive exploding just before 4 a.m. A boom can be heard as a massive fireball goes into the sky. The explosion sent debris across the neighborhood and left the remains of the home in flames, prompting nearly 50 calls to 911, according to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.

A woman inside the home was rescued by neighbors who heard her calling for help, Kent County Undersheriff Bryan Muir said. Smoke could be seen billowing from what remains, and a scorched car is in the driveway. Neighbors reported hearing a loud bang before seeing the flames at the home.

Muir said the investigation is expected to be “lengthy.” Multiple agencies, along with utility companies and ATF units, were on scene. He said there is no danger to the public at this time.

“It’s not something that happens very often, but thankfully we had some very quick-reacting neighbors that were able to take the female from the home and get her the medical treatment she needed,” Muir said. “So, our thoughts and prayers are with the family that is affected by this.”

WZZM-TV ABC 13 Grand Rapids

The post VIDEOS: Ring camera footage captures massive explosion that leveled Michigan home appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Seattle emergency responders extracted a 45-year-old man pinned under a vehicle midday Saturday, officials said. Seattle Fire Department officials confirmed that the man is in serious condition. Seattle Fire Department crews received a call around 2:12 p.m. Saturday that a person in the 9000 block of 46th Avenue S, in south Seattle near Rainier Beach, was stuck underneath a vehicle.

In the course of about ten minutes, first responders left the station, arrived at the scene, and extracted the man from underneath the vehicle. By 2:21 p.m., he was free, and transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

The post Seattle first responders perform rapid rescue of person pinned under vehicle appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Wenatchee Valley Fire Department Fire Chief Brian Brett has been named Washington State Fire Chief of the Year. Brett received the Dan Packer Fire Chief of the Year Award on Wednesday night during the Washington State Fire Chiefs annual banquet, according to the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department.

The award recognizes outstanding leadership, dedication to the fire service and commitment to the communities served. Brett was nominated multiple times by his peers and expressed gratitude and humility after receiving the statewide honor. Wenatchee Valley Fire Department said Brett’s career has been marked by professional excellence, regional collaboration and efforts to advance fire and emergency services throughout the Wenatchee Valley and across Washington.

The recognition highlights Brett’s leadership at a time when fire departments across the state continue to face growing demands from emergency response, wildfire risk, staffing needs and community safety planning. Brett leads the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department, which serves communities across the Wenatchee Valley. The department is based at 731 N. Wenatchee Avenue in Wenatchee.

Source One News

The post Wenatchee Valley’s Brian Brett Honored As Washington State Fire Chief Of The Year appeared first on Daily Dispatch.