The state officials leading preparations for the arrival of the novel coronavirus in Alaska told lawmakers on Wednesday in Juneau to keep calm and stay informed about developments related to the virus. The state has so far tested four people for COVID-19. None tested positive. Testing for two others is in progress. Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said it's important to take simple steps, like washing your hands and staying at home if you're sick. This will reduce the risk of other diseases, too, like the flu. And that will help the health care system handle COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, when it arrives in the state as anticipated. "So when I'm thinking about the health care system as a whole, I don't want to fight a battle on two or three fronts," she said. The state can currently test up to 100 people. Zink expects the federal government to provide more test kits. But the state hasn't been given a timeframe for receiving them. People will first be tested for the flu and other viruses before being checked for COVID-19.  

Firefighters Local 313, the local union of firefighters in Morgantown, is dissatisfied with the proposed budget from City Manager Paul Brake because they said it puts the safety of citizens and firefighters at risk. The initially proposed budget would decrease the number of firefighters from 61-49, a reduction of 12 positions. City Manager Paul Brake explained that the city simply cannot afford to keep those 12 positions, which were added in 2017 as part of a Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from the federal government. The grant runs for three years and ends in November 2020. During a city council meeting on Tuesday, March 3, the city offered to retain six of the 12 positions, however, that still doesn't sit well with the union, President Jayson Nicewarner said. "Six isn't good enough for us we want it to be zero we want to retain all 12 of those firefighting positions," Nicewarner said.  

With wires stuck to his head and a stuffed toy monkey in his arms, Brian McCoy heaved a deep breath as he settled into a reclining chair at South Metro Fire Rescue's headquarters in Centennial. He slipped on headphones, put up his feet and watched as a TV screen played scenes from under the sea: dolphins twirling, seaweed swirling, sharks prowling. Behind him, neurofeedback clinician and therapist Gabi Whitmer tracked his brain activity. When McCoy's brain calmed, the music in his headphones got louder, the image on the screen got bigger and the monkey vibrated — positive feedback that, over time, helps his brain relearn how to react to stimulation, which in turn helps relieve McCoy's symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma and burnout.  

VIDEO: The Webbers Falls Fire Station in eastern Oklahoma caught fire Wednesday, destroying one building and all the gear inside it. "Our department is now on the ground," Webbers Falls Fire Chief Shawn Smith said. "It was heartbreaking, this is our second home, we spend a lot of time down here." Smith and other volunteer firefighters were out of town attending training for severe weather when the fire was reported before 2 P.M. Wednesday afternoon. The department's tanker, pumper and rescue trucks were not inside the building that caught fire, but, 2 boats, 2 trucks used to fight grass fires and most of the equipment and gear the 16 volunteer firefighters use to keep them safe when fighting fires was destroyed. The state fire marshal will investigate what caused the fire.  

VIDEO: More than 40 years ago, the first woman went through Norfolk's fire academy. Pamela Ells-Johnson was just 25 years old and tells 13News Now that she was simply looking for a career when she applied. She ended up paving the way for women in Norfolk Fire-Rescue. Although back then, it was called Norfolk Fire Department. "I'm so proud of what I accomplished," she told 13News Now. "And when I tell people, they're like, 'You did what?'" The year was 1979 and Ells-Johnson's historic acceptance into the academy was broadcasted by this very TV station across Hampton Roads. Our archives don't even go back that far -- but Ells-Johnson shared her home video of the newscast about her. It was tough work, she recalled, having to carry a lot of equipment, wear the big, heavy clothes and constantly train. But she did it. She proved herself, passing the fire academy. Upon graduation, however, Ells-Johnson made the choice not to pursue the career.  

PHOTOS: Ever have a hard time making a turn on a tight Wollaston street packed with parked cars? Try doing it in an almost 60-foot-long fire truck. As Quincy's development boom continues, the fire department is preparing to put into service a new, $1.45 million tiller truck to help firefighters take tight turns and get closer to ever-taller buildings. The truck, with two drivers, one in the front and one in the back, has two chassis and can pivot in the first third of the rig, like a tractor trailer, to make it more nimble. "The primary reason for the truck is the city is getting built out, there's more cars, more congestion, smaller streets," said acting Fire Chief Joe Jackson. "This is like the Holy Grail of fire trucks. Chiefs across the state are jealous." The truck will be Ladder 2 in the Wollaston fire station on Beale Street. Having the tiller truck stationed in the middle of the city means it will see a lot of action, Jackson said.