Four firefighters with the Houston (TX) Fire Department were hospitalized after an 18-wheeler struck a department apparatus that was blocking an earlier accident scene Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025.

Here is the department’s recount of the accident:

“Earlier this morning, Engine 104 was blocking traffic on on US 59 North near exit 151 in north Houston for a motor vehicle accident when it was struck by an 18-wheeler,” the department said in a Facebook post.

“All four members were transported to a local hospital with injuries of varying severities. All are expected to fully recover and three remain hospitalized.

“Blocking traffic on the freeway is one of the most dangerous tasks we do,” Chief Thomas Muñoz said. “We’re extremely grateful that every member of Engine 104 is expected to recover, and we ask drivers to slow down and move over when they see emergency crews working.”

HFD will share additional updates as they become available. Houston Police Department is investigating the cause of the accident.

The post Four FFs Hurt After Fire Apparatus Is Struck by 18-Wheeler appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Dean Ferguson
Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Moscow, Idaho
(TNS)

Nov. 27—LENORE — Volunteer firefighters are kicking around the idea of starting a new rural fire district to cover an area north of the Clearwater River from east of Arrow Junction to just west of Lenore.

The notion was inspiration born of a touch of desperation.

This winter, from Dec. 1 to March 1, fire coverage will diminish as two of three fire engines have to be moved out of a county-owned, insulated pole-building that the Big Canyon Fire District (BCFD) leases and shares with Nez Perce County Road and Bridge Department in Lenore.

After a September meeting between three Nez Perce County commissioners and BCFD leaders, the county followed up with an Oct. 16 email telling BCFD to vacate half of the structure. The road department said it needs the space to store a de-icer truck and de-icing chemicals.

“That’s our only option for a shop because of the restrictions on Lenore Bridge,” said NPC Road Director Roy Hill.

Until now, the fire district used the whole building despite an agreement with the county that entitled them to half, Hill said. But in 2023, the Idaho Transportation Department reduced the truck weights allowed on the steel, wood and concrete Lenore Bridge, which was built in 1935. Now that the Sunnyside Bench Road is paved from Orofino to Lenore, the county needs the too-heavy deicer truck parked on the north side of the river. Hill said bags of deicer need to be stored inside or they absorb moisture and become unusable bricks.

BCFD fire leaders have a similar problem: fire engines need to be parked inside. Unfortunately, the volunteers were unable to find alternative space, said BCFD Fire Chief Randy Maas.

So, BCFD is moving two fire trucks out and leaving only one. The Sunnyside Volunteer Fire District will help pick up the slack in coverage over the winter.

In the meantime, Craig Selby, a BCFD volunteer firefighter since 2023, decided it may be time to look into starting a new fire district.

• Construction on Track for Fire Station 5 in Tupelo (MS)
• Hempfield (PA) Supervisors Buy Land for New Fire Station Despite Response Time Warnings
• Citing Wildfires, LAFD Requests 15% Budget Increase

Some people may not be able to get insurance without a fire district, he said. And, a homeowner who helps pay for a fire district may see significant savings with reduced home insurance costs.

Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM

Selby, Maas, and BCFD Commissioner Bruce Lang were all at an informational meeting held Nov. 11 at the Lenore Community Center where they discussed the new fire district idea. Early discussions with community members have been met with general support and resul

Danielle James
mlive.com
(TNS)

BYRON TOWNSHIP, MI – After nearly two years of planning and construction, Byron Township has opened its $2.4 million fire station, the area’s second station built to address a growing population.

Since its opening Sept. 22, the addition of the 6675 Clay Ave. SW station has shortened response times, according to Byron Township Fire Chief Bryan Looman.

“When there’s a fire in this area, you’re going to get two trucks right away,” he said. “We can use each other for vehicle accidents that are manpower intensive. We can use each other if this unit ends up going to the other side of our township and we get another call.”

Since the 1950s, Byron Township has relied on the Cutlerville Fire Department, which serviced both Byron and Gaines townships through an agreement where each jointly owned and operated the department.

Cutlerville is located in Byron and Gaines townships, with Division Avenue being the dividing line between the two. The Cutlerville fire station is located at 11 68th St. SW.

But in July 2023, Byron Township leaders voted to give a one-year notice that they would be leaving that agreement. Township leaders said the decision was prompted by population growth.

Byron Township, located in the southwest corner of Kent County, had a population of 26,927 as of the 2020 census, an increase of over 6,000 from the 2010 census.

Looman said at the time the township began to consider expanding, call volumes were only increasing. Last year the Cutlerville station was getting approximately 2,500 calls a year.

“There’s enough work here for both of us along that Division corridor,” said Looman, a township employee for over 10 years and fire chief for the last six.

• Jackson, Summit Township (MI) Fire Departments Move Toward Formal Aid Agreement
• NH Fire, Police Station Projects Get Boosts from Federal Funds
• Webb City (MO) Fire Department Dedicates Training Structure to Late Firefighter

In 2023, it was determined that one township would take over and fully operate the Cutlerville station, while the other would build and staff its own fire station in Cutlerville.

Byron Township built the new station, housed on about 3.5 acres formerly owned by the state Department of Transportation. Looman said the township worked with the state to purchase the land.

The property was especially favorable because of its proximity to both M-6 and U.S. 131, two higher-traffic highways that he said the township frequently utilizes to get to calls.

The dividing line for services is now Division Avenue, with the new building covering a little over 35 miles of more

Nathan Clark
mlive.com
(TNS)

JACKSON, MI – Firefighters from Jackson and Summit Township have long supported each other during emergency calls.

Now they are one step closer to having a formal agreement to help the two departments meet their goal of maintaining public safety.

The Jackson City Council and the Summit Township Board of Trustees approved a resolution Nov. 19 supporting enhanced collaboration between the Jackson Fire Department and the Summit Township Fire Department.

The resolution allows the departments to collect data, evaluate performance, and develop a plan to better coordinate emergency response, improve firefighter readiness, and use resources more efficiently.

The two departments have been working towards a formal aid agreement that would benefit both jurisdictions.

“From here, we’ll be working strategically on a comprehensive plan to integrate staffing, administration, emergency response, and joint purchasing,” Jackson Fire Chief Tim Gonzales said. “The goal is to maximize efficiency, ensure long-term sustainability, and maintain strong fiscal responsibility for both communities.”

Over the past five years, the two departments have collaborated on initiatives that have benefited both communities operationally and financially.

These initiatives include shared training, improved response districts, and joint maintenance agreements.

Most recently, in 2024, the two fire departments have been testing response times based on proximity, responding to medical emergencies outside their township or city limits if the call is closer to where they are stationed.

• Citing Wildfires, LAFD Requests 15% Budget Increase
• Six Electric ARFF Trucks Join the Dallas Fort Worth Airport (TX) FD Fleet
• Milwaukee (WI) Overrides Mayor’s Veto, Secures $10M for Fire Apparatus

“At that time, we conducted a trial run on several collaborative projects strictly for data collection. Those pilots helped us assess operational impacts, and the results showed clear benefits for both departments,” Gonzales said.

A prior data collection showed the departments are not overwhelmed by responding to more emergencies, and each saved on fuel costs responding to areas closer to their stations, Gonzales said.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page.

©2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit mlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post Jackson, Summit Township (MI) Fire Departments Move Toward Formal Aid Agreement appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.