Alaska's fisheries play a crucial role in the national seafood industry, attracting both commercial and sport fishermen. However, the industry faces a high occupational fatality rate, approximately 20 times higher than the national average. To address this, the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association is dedicated to reducing injuries and fatalities in marine and freshwater environments. AMSEA offers the Fishing Vessel Drill Conductor class, which trains individuals to respond to emergencies at sea and instructs them to share that knowledge with other crew members effectively. Jen Smola will be teaching the course at the Kenai Peninsula College's Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer. "In any sort of emergency, if you have an idea of what you should do, it gives you more of a focus, instead of just panicking and not understanding the proper steps to ensure your survival," she said.  

In Anchorage's harsh winter temperatures, unsheltered homeless residents are frequently at risk of injury, losing their belongings — and their lives — from fire while trying to stay warm. On average, the Anchorage Fire Department responds to one to two fires a day at the city's homeless encampments, according to assistant fire chief Alex Boyd. During the last three months of 2023, there were 35 fire responses at two of the largest encampments — located near Cuddy Park in Midtown and Davis Park in Mountain View, he said. Numerous other areas of town see fires at encampments and many more fires likely go unreported, he said. People often rely on propane heaters and makeshift stoves, or open flame fire pits beside or inside their shelters, methods that fire officials warn can be extremely dangerous.  

A tanker truck overturned on Route 17 in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, erupting into a ball of flames. It happened around 5:40 a.m. Monday on Route 17 South not far from Teterboro Airport. The tanker and another car got into a crash, but amazingly, both drivers were able to escape their vehicles. The tanker plowed into a used car dealership, causing it to catch fire. That building is a complete loss as were two dozen of the vehicles on the lot. Firefighters battling the blaze were able to save neighboring businesses on either side. Powerlines were damaged in the fire and several of the businesses on Route 17 remain without power. The fire was placed under control once PSE&G was able to cut off gas to the car lot. Drivers were stunned by the fireball and frustrated by the resulting traffic delays.  

PHOTOS: The Sunbury Fire Department will consolidate all six fire departments in the city, a long overdue move according to officials. The efforts to consolidate began years ago and fizzled out. In the summer of 2021, the idea was revisited after some chiefs said bringing the six companies together under one roof just made sense. Sunbury City Council got involved and requested a report from the state Department of Community and Economic Development on whether it is feasible for the city to consolidate. The results, according to City Councilman John Barnhart, were favorable to combining all the departments. There are still a lot of details that need to be ironed out, he said, but there seems to be wide support for the move. "This will allow the department to work more efficiently with the volunteers that are available," Sunbury Mayor Josh Brosious said.  

A fire broke out at one of the fire stations in West Palm Beach Saturday morning. According to a spokesperson with the West Palm Beach Fire Department (WPBFD), the fire occurred in one of the fire rescue ambulance trucks at around 4:30 a.m. at West Palm Beach Fire Station no. 4. Firefighters were asleep in the station and were alerted to the blaze when the fire alarms went off. There were no injuries, WPBFD says. WPBFD is investigating the cause of the fire.  

PHOTOS: Actor Jeremy Renner surprised first responders and hospital workers with a heartfelt visit to thank them for saving his life one year ago. On Jan. 1, 2023, the 52-year-old actor was trying to get a relative's car out of a snowbank at Renner's Lake Tahoe home. While using his 7-ton Pistenbully snow groomer, Renner exited the cab and the snowplow rolled onto him. Renner was badly crushed, breaking over 30 bones. Remarkably, he was extricated and rushed to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, where he underwent emergency surgery. He was critical condition for days until his health began improving; he was released from the hospital several weeks later. "One year ago, our friend Jeremy Renner suffered a catastrophic injury that nearly ended his life," Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue wrote on social media.