The Haines Borough plans to restart discussion of charging for ambulance service. "(The Haines Borough Volunteer Fire Department is) on target to have the busiest year that they have had and not only is it busy, but the severity of the calls is much higher than it used to be, and so we are starting to have conversations about billing for ambulance services," interim manager Alekka Fullerton said at an assembly meeting earlier this month. "We are looking into those costs, what it would mean and what we can do to cover people who do not have insurance," Fullerton said. She didn't offer specifics for when or in what form the discussion will take place. At present, ambulance service is funded through a half-percent sales tax.  

VIDEO: At least 15 buildings in Gary, Indiana were on fire overnight, forcing firefighters to call backup. At least a dozen different fire departments were at the scene and battled structural fires, according to the Highland Fire Department on its Facebook page. One of the houses that had already been boarded up had its roof cave in due to a fire. Sizable flames at another scene were also seen at a home that was boarded up. Arson was suspected in earlier fires this week, according to the Northwest Indiana Times. Gary fire officials have not provided additional information about whether the incidents were related. A person from a board-up company said he saw multiple fires throughout the Gary area, but there was not anything to be boarded up at certain scenes because the structures had completely crumbled to the ground. Highland Fire Chief Bill Timmer said Sunday there were "very large losses," but no firefighters were hurt.  

Volunteer firefighters — who comprise more than 65 percent of the U.S. fire service — have higher levels of "forever chemicals," per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in their bodies than the general public, according to a Rutgers study. The study, which was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, compared the levels of nine PFAS chemicals in the blood of volunteer firefighters against levels in the general population. It is the first study to evaluate volunteer firefighters' exposure to PFAS, which are chemicals that accumulate in human bodies and in the environment and are found in everyday items like electronics and carpeting. PFAS have been associated with numerous health conditions that impact firefighters, including cardiovascular disease. Increasing evidence has linked them to cancer.  

VIDEO: Firefighters in one Florida city have clearly been sparking some flames at home. Seven Orlando firefighters have transitioned from fighting fires to pacifiers as they've become dads over the past few months. The Orlando Fire Department welcomed three baby girls and four boys during the pandemic and happily reported all moms, dads and babies are doing well. Only a matter of time before these new recruits start to gear up.  

Light the town red to support hometown heroes in commemoration of International Firefighters' Day on Tuesday, May 4. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is asking residents, communities, businesses and fire departments from coast to coast to celebrate firefighters — the special men and women who respond to calls for help every day, with pride and compassion. Change the lightbulb on your front porch, or change the color filter shining on your business, to highlight the great work firefighters do every day. "Join us in thanking firefighters for their service as they work the front lines of these troubling times," said Chief Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director of the NFFF. "Our communities have been made stronger by the dedication of firefighters and nowhere is it more evident in their response to COVID-19."  

The state Fire Marshal's Office and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are trying to make the public more aware of the threat of people using fire as a weapon. Both agencies released a Fire as a Weapon Guide, which describes people using fire as a weapon as setting fires or firebombs to hurt people and property. Bill Ryan, CISA's regional director for Region 3, said domestic and international authorities are reporting increased cases of fire being used as a weapon, primarily arson and the use of improvised incendiary devices. "We do see an uptick in that," he said. Potential indicators of using fire as a weapon include a reported theft of a large vehicle, suspicious questioning of building floor plans, damaged fire protection systems, unattended items like backpacks, and social media posts promoting using fire as a weapon. "Obviously, there are a bunch of different tactics and techniques out there that people will use wishing to do harm," Ryan said.