Youth artists with ART Inc. in Peoria designed, decorated and painted 10 fire hydrants, and they will be up for online auction soon. It's all through a partnership with the Peoria Fire Department and Illinois American Water, which donated the retired hydrants. Students learned about water safety and what it means to have municipal water. "Kids have a stronger understanding of what it means to have a municipal water source. Some people may live out rural and knowing they don't have fire hydrants. We take it for granted in the city of Peoria," said Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger. Sollberger said he was blown away by the artistry displayed by the students, who range in age from six to teenage years. "You can just see the creativity, you can see the artistic flair of these Peoria students. It touches me, being from the city of Peoria, going through the school system, and just seeing our students, our local talent at work," he said.  

The Champaign Fire Department is getting new equipment for firefighters that will help keep them safe after fighting a fire. It's all because of a grant the department is getting. The department will get 15 new sets of fire gear that cost over $1,000 a piece. They will also be able to purchase three new washers and dryers to be spread between the department's six fire stations. Randy Smith, CFD Public Information Officer, said the new equipment will help keep firefighters healthier when they are not fighting fires. "We talked the importance of the gear but having the research that's been done," Smith said. "What we don't know in that smoke is quite simply killing firefighters. So, by having these extractors, by having these gear dryers, it can allow that extra ability to make sure their gear is clean."  

PHOTOS: Massive flames erupted in Brazoria County Thursday due to a chemical release in pipelines at an INEOS remote valve site, a spokesperson for the company said. The Brazoria County Fire Marshal's Office said the fire emergency happened near FM 2917 and FM 2004. According to INEOS, ethylene and propylene gases were released. Company and local emergency responders were at the scene. No injuries were reported. A spokesperson for INEOS said affected segments of the pipelines have been isolated. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. An air monitoring crew is being dispatched to the area.  

The search for the suspect who shot and seriously injured two Birmingham firefighters continues, and more reward money is now offered for information leading to the gunman. Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama on Thursday announced a reward of up to $15,000. The reward amount was previously $10,000. The gunfire erupted about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Station 9 in Norwood. Police and fire officials said firefighters Jordan Melton and Jamal Jones were in the bay when the unknown suspect entered and opened fire. Both injured firefighters were taken to UAB Hospital. Jones was last known to be in serious condition and Melton in critical condition. No updates regarding the shooting or investigation have been issued since Wednesday morning.  

Damar Hamlin is giving the spotlight to those who helped save his life. The Buffalo Bills safety, 25, got emotional on stage at Wednesday night's ESPY Awards as he honored the first responders who helped save his life after his cardiac arrest during a January game. Before handing them the Pat Tillman Award for Service, Hamlin told his story in a video, saying, "I didn't wake up that morning in January thinking that I would need someone to save my life that day, and I doubt that the staff thought that they had to do what they did either." "What I've taken away from what happened to me six and a half months ago, is that any of us at any given time are capable of doing something that's incredible, in saving a life and living a life in service to others," he continued. "It's a blessing. It's a responsibility. And it's the very reason why you're hearing my voice right now. Anyone could be a hero. These are mine," he said concluding the video.