Peoria firefighters have responded to six arsons in the last 30 days, but those fires that were intentional have impacted more than just those putting out the flames. Peoria fire chief Shawn Sollberger said he is busy trying to find the answer, in an interview with 25 News Thursday. "Comparative data is being compiled right now. Just by pure gut instinct, this feels a little outside of the norm," said the chief. "We deal with arson fires on a regular basis, intentionally-set fires on a regular basis, but this feels higher than normal." The City of Peoria is responsible for tearing down homes destroyed by arsonists. While city community development director Joe Dulin says they don't track arson demolitions, it still costs the city money. Money that's already set aside for these purposes.  

Firefighters are in the 600 block of Collinsville Avenue to put out a fire at Petroff Towing. The building is located near Interstates 55 and 64. Thick smoke from the fire is visible for miles. The shed's roof has completely collapsed, and firefighters are keeping their distance as the building burns. They are working to put the fire out by spraying the building while staying safe. This is a developing story.  

Firefighters with the Prospect Heights Fire Protection District responded to 2,722 calls last year, or the most in the 79-year history of the district. Fire officials say the number of calls has increased by 500% over the last 30 years. Currently, firefighters are responding with a 30-year-old ladder truck, that is three times older than those in neighboring departments. The rig requires $30,000 in annual maintenance fees just to maintain it, but it has reached its end of life. "Fire trucks and ambulances are very costly and see severe use with quick starts and stops," says Prospect Heights Fire Chief Drew Smith. "Reliability is a must. Firefighters and paramedics are of little use if they cannot get to the emergency."  

For the second time this week, ABC7 is celebrating a young girl who helped save her mother's life. This time, it was a New Lenox family. First responders showed up to the Tadin family home Thursday to honor 10-year-old Aria. Last week, Aria stayed home sick from school. It ended up being a good thing for her mother, who collapsed in the bathroom. Aria's parents say they've never had an emergency at the house before and are glad their daughter knew what to do. Aria's father says she's incredibly responsible for her age.  

A raging blaze tore through a cluster of businesses in downtown Lawrence early Friday morning, destroying a liquor store and a bakery. Crews responding to a report of a fire in the area of Essex and Newbury streets found flames shooting from a building that houses multiple businesses and thick smoke consuming the neighborhood. Firefighters from Lawrence and neighboring communities could be seen dousing the raging fire with water. Video from the scene showed extensive damage to Sweeney's Package Store and Sweet Grace Heavenly Cakes. They have been deemed a complete loss. Mir Tapas Lounge and Fernandez Market are also located next to the scorched businesses. The bulk of the fire was knocked down before 6:30 a.m. but crews were still battling hot spots as the sun came up.  

In the next step in its fight to combat fire fighter cancer, the International Association of Fire Fighters filed suit March 16 against the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for its role in imposing a testing standard that effectively requires the use of PFAS in fire fighter protective gear. "The very gear designed to protect fire fighters, to keep us safe, is killing us," said General President Edward Kelly. "Standard 1971 needlessly requires the use of PFAS in fire fighter gear." A provision in NFPA 1971 requires certain components of fire fighter bunker gear to pass the Ultraviolet Light Degradation Test. The test requires turnout gear to be exposed to UV light for 40 hours without degradation. The only substance that can pass the test for that long is PFAS. The complaint, International Association of Fire Fighters v. National Fire Protection Association, Inc., seeks to hold the NFPA liable for not removing the dangerous test from its Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting (Standard 1971).  

VIDEO: Typically, to be hired at Lubbock Fire Rescue, you had to be both firefighter and EMT certified. Now applicants don't have to be certified in either to apply. LFR Captain Phillip Grandon says the traditional model worked for a while but times are changing. LFR used to receive up to 400 applications in a given hiring season but lately, it has been getting under 100. He says every industry is dealing with labor shortages, so the department had to try something different. "Fire service is not immune to that either," Grandon said. "So, we have to basically go out and get people and say, ‘Hey, come work for us, and we're going to train you' instead of you having to go out and seek that training yourself." Firefighter Grandon says anyone from any background who wants to give public safety a chance, should. The requirement now is an applicant needs a high school diploma or GED and be between the ages of 18 and 35. Grandon explains the applicant must be 35 or younger by January 2024.  

Before he was a "Joker," Brian "Q" Quinn was an FDNY firefighter. The internationally known comedian, 47, spent nearly a decade at Ladder Co. 86 on Richmond Avenue in Graniteville. It's a chapter the "Impractical Jokers" star looks back on fondly, both for the work he did keeping Staten Islanders safe and for the local causes he joined that still remain important to him. Among those causes: Friends of Firefighters. Founded by Nancy Carbone following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center, the 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization provides independent, confidential and free mental health counseling and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their family members. The Brooklyn-born, Staten Island-raised prankster had his sights set on a career with the FDNY from a young age.  

Lawmakers should view America's staggering opioid crisis, including the rise of illicit fentanyl, through an "ecosystems" approach, argues a massive RAND Corporation report published Thursday. That means they should examine the gaps and interconnections among emergency response, data collection, education, treatment, housing and law enforcement, the report advises. The 600-page volume — which the authors describe as "arguably the most comprehensive analysis of opioids in 21st century America" — encourages federal, state and local lawmakers to think "beyond traditional silos" and innovate ways to stem adverse effects of addiction and increasing drug overdose deaths among Americans.