QUINN COFFMAN
The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.
(TNS)

The man who allegedly stole an ambulance on Wednesday from the Mid City location of Baton Rouge General was trying to convince an EMS crew to deliver him to the hospital’s other location on Bluebonnet, according to police records.

When the paramedics denied him, Flordy Washington, 38, took matters into his own hands.

Shortly before 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Washington was outside Baton Rouge General-Mid City’s ambulance bay, according to an affidavit for his arrest.

He approached an ambulance crew that was busy taking a patient into the hospital and asked if they would take him to the hospital system’s Bluebonnet location. The EMTs told Washington to hold off for a minute as they dealt with their patient, but that they would come back and help him, according to the affidavit.

The crew locked the ambulance, which was running with the keys inside. However, a fail-safe unlocked the vehicle as the crew went inside the hospital.

Washington then got inside the ambulance, and as he left the hospital, police dispatch received a call about the stolen vehicle and officers were dispatched.

The ambulance was spotted nearly two miles away, at North Foster Drive and Gus Young Avenue, heading northbound on North Foster. Here, officers turned on their lights and started to pursue.

Washington refused to stop and led officers on a circuitous chase, traveling a number of streets, including driving through parking lots and heading the wrong way on Airline Highway and Old Hammond Highway. He also ran two red lights, one of which caused the ambulance to ram two other vehicles.

The ambulance finally came to a stop near a residential cul-de-sac on Elwood Court, at which point officers exited their vehicles and ordered Washington to allow them to handcuff him. Washington again refused, and was shocked with a Taser by officers before being arrested.

He told officers he was tired of walking and wanted to be taken to Baton Rouge General Bluebonnet, according to the affidavit. Washington also told officers that the driver of the ambulance told him to take it.

Washington was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on Wednesday for a host of counts, including: theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated criminal damage to property, aggravated flight from an officer and two red light offenses.

© 2025 The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.. Visit www.theadvocate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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The Austin (TX) firefighters union voiced outrage over Fire Chief Joel G. Baker’s decision to deny their request to assist in flood-stricken Kerrville—despite being hailed as the region’s top swiftwater rescue unit. 

On July 2, 2025, the State of Texas issued deployment orders ahead of rising floodwaters. According to a social media post from the Austin Firefighters Association, the elite Special Operations teams—trained in swiftwater techniques and boat missions—were ready to mobilize before floodwaters surged. Two Austin Fire Department (AFD) boats and six swiftwater technicians were ready to deploy, but were denied permission to respond. A second request was received on July 4, and it was also denied. However, three AFD rescue swimmers were eventually sent to help airlift victims, and that too wasn’t until late in the day on July 4. The department remained grounded until then, the union claims. 

“It brings the Austin Firefighters no pleasure … the Austin Fire Chief DENIED the deployment of Austin firefighters to Kerrville until very late into the event (so today-July 7th!) … It is absolutely outrageous … LIVES WERE VERY LIKELY LOST BECAUSE OF CHIEF BAKER’S DECISION!” — Bob Nicks, Austin Firefighters Association Facebook statement

Further criticism centered on the motive behind the delay. The union charges Chief Baker prioritized saving money, despite state reimbursement covering full deployment costs. “I explained the reimbursement process … and he failed to understand this very simple concept,” the statement reads. 

Firefighters say the department is internationally recognized for its water rescue expertise. AFD personnel undergo regular swiftwater training, including throw-bag techniques, submerged vehicle extrications, indoor flood environments and rescue-boat drills at sites like Barton Springs. Austin is also part of the state’s Texas Urban Search and Rescue Team, Texas Task Force 1 (TXTF1) with 24 boat team members and two TXTF1 boats and equipment ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. 

Additional partnerships bolster urban water rescue, including a helicopter-support program launched within the past year that includes 10 rescue swimmers. A 2016 report emphasized AFD’s position as one of the state’s most “proficient with rapid water rescue techniques” operating a sixboat swiftwater team—among the most equipped in Texas, placing them on the cutting edge of flood response. 

Grim statistics from Sunday’s Hill Country flooding underscore the stakes: more than 80 people were killed, including more than two dozen children, with Kerr County particularly devastated. First responders scrambled to evacuate some 850 individuals—a stark testament to the critical need for rapid deployment. 

Reflecting on this, firefighters assert that “we were forced to stand down and lives were lost,” calling Chef Baker’s actions a “dereliction of duty.” 

In response to the mounting anger, union leadership has initiated a vote of no confidence against Chief Baker, beginning Tuesday, July 8. They vow “transparency to the community” and are seeking the suppo

Comprehensive five-year fleet contract for the Calgary Fire Department includes rescues and engines, building on previous contracts for aerials and water tenders.

APPLETON, Wisconsin (July 7, 2025) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) business, is proud to announce Canadian Pierce dealer, Commercial Emergency Equipment Co., has secured an apparatus contract and initial order with the Calgary Fire Department (CFD). The 5-year contract with an additional 4-year option covers all engines and rescues in an unlimited, as-needed capacity and builds on previous contracts for aerials and water tenders, as Pierce remains the primary supplier of all heavy front-line apparatus for CFD over the next eight years.

“Deciding on a partner for our full-fleet engine replacement was not something we took lightly,” said Nigel Thorley, leader of Fleet and Equipment for the Calgary Fire Department. “Following a rigorous, competitive procurement process, Pierce and Commercial were the clear choice to rely on for our pumpers and rescues. This agreement will help ensure that the Calgary Fire Department continues to evolve with one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities.”

The initial order includes 20 engines and 2 rescues, representing one of the most significant apparatus purchases in Canadian history. This initial phase marks the beginning of a comprehensive fleet replacement for all Calgary engines and rescues, with additional orders planned over the course of the contract.

Bob Schulz, president of Pierce Manufacturing said, “We are honored the Calgary Fire Department has placed its trust in Pierce and Commercial Emergency Equipment for such a significant fleet contract. This agreement solidifies Calgary’s commitment to building one of the largest all-Pierce fleets of fire apparatus in the world, and we are proud to support them in their mission to keep their community safe.”

The contract highlights CFD’s focus on fleet standardization, ensuring that all future apparatus

will be built on Pierce Enforcer™ top-mount enclosed chassis.

Features of the initial order will include:

(20) Pierce Enforcer Top-Mount Enclosed Triple Combination Pumpers

• 500-gallon booster tank with direct tank fill
• Waterous CMU 2000 GPM two-stage pump
• Husky™ 3 Foam System TAK-4^® Independent Front Suspension
• Cummins X10 450 hp engine
• Hydraulic ladder rack
• Task Force Tips Monsoon 1250 GPM deluge monitor
• FRC/Seon InView 360-degree camera system
• GPS traffic preemption

(2) Pierce Enforcer Non-Walk-In Heavy-Duty Rescues

• Cummins X10 engine 450 hp engine
• GPS traffic preemption

Mike Feduniw, sales manager at Commercial Emergency Equipment, emphasized the importance of standardizing the fleet. “Designing a fleet that shares as many components as possible, from drivetrains to cab layouts, ensures both first resp

The Laredo (TX) Fire Department and the city responded to criticism that one of its ladder trucks was used by federal agents in a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid of a warehouse in the South Texas border city, msn.com reported.

The Laredo Immigrant Alliance said in a Facebook post that the city’s fire apparatus was used in a raid by ICE agents at a warehouse June 26.

The Laredo Fire Department responded on Facebook with the following statement:

“The Laredo Fire Department would like to address concerns raised by members of our community regarding the presence of LFD units during a recent federal operation near Mile Marker 13 in the industrial area.

“Our involvement was strictly limited to providing medical standby support, as is standard during any large-scale or potentially hazardous operation. Our crews were on scene to ensure rapid medical response in case of emergencies, especially due to the remote location and the potential for high-angle rescue scenarios. Additional resources, including an aerial truck, were deployed purely as a precautionary safety measure.

“We understand that images circulating online may have created confusion or concern, particularly regarding our association with immigration enforcement activities. We want to be clear: The Laredo Fire Department is not involved in deportation efforts or any immigration enforcement operations.

“Our mission is and always will be to serve and protect the health and safety of all residents of Laredo, regardless of immigration status. We are committed to maintaining the trust of our community and continue to work with our public safety partners to ensure the well-being of every person in our city.”

During a news conference, Laredo Mayor Victor Treviño said the city is “not immigration enforcement,” the msn.com report said.

Trevino also stated in the news conference that Laredo is “a law-abiding community and have always collaborated with our state and federal partners.” He reiterated that the city does not conduct immigration enforcement but said that in certain federal operations, fire and law enforcement have been involved for public safety, lmtonline.com reported.