Toledo resident Dave Germain started going to meetings of the Lewis County Medic One Interlocal Board in January and openly shared his opinions and ideas about the paramedic service’s unstable financial situation with the board. “I’m not afraid to stand up and talk to folks,” Germain said. The retired paramedic and firefighter’s willingness to speak his mind got him noticed.
- PUB DATE: 7/8/2015 3:14:26 AM - SOURCE: Centralia Chronicle

Capt. David Collard said his firefighters regularly make emergency calls to help people who have fallen. But the one they answered Friday afternoon was a little different. Leroy Conley, 73, who lives on Market Street on the north side, had fallen and needed help getting up. Conley told the firefighters that he had become ill, and after walking inside his residence, they understood why.
- PUB DATE: 7/8/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: fort worth star-telegram

VIDEO: Two Monroe Township firefighters were hurt after their truck overturned on State Route 222 Tuesday afternoon, only 200 yards from the fire station. Chief William Jetter said the two man crew was on their way to a fire alarm at a nearby day camp. "I knew something was wrong," said Jamie Ingram.
- PUB DATE: 7/8/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLWT-TV NBC 5 Cincinnati

Compton Fire Chief Jon Thompson was placed on leave Tuesday as the city launched an investigation after a series of Times reports on breakdowns in the fire agency's management of emergency medical care. City Manager Johnny Ford said officials would examine how most city firetrucks and ambulances were stripped of defibrillators, a crucial lifesaving device that rescuers use to deliver a shock to try to restart the heart of cardiac arrest victims.
- PUB DATE: 7/8/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Los Angeles Times

Often underfunded and competing for resources, many fire departments across the country are like ladders stretched to their limits — and in tighter economic times, the question of reach is paramount. Fire chiefs can face significant challenges to maintain and build staff and frequently want to take advantage of recent innovations in equipment.
- PUB DATE: 7/8/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: By Rick Stoll, ISO Community Analytic Services