A top Kankakee fire official inspected a haunted house that he was involved in, praising it for an "excellent job" in fire prevention. The state later found dozens of violations. Asked whether the official's inspection was a conflict of interest, the fire chief initially said he was not sure, but later defended the independence of the city's inspectors. Documents obtained by the Daily Journal this week showed that Kankakee Fire Department Capt. Mike Casagrande inspected the Haunted Factory in 2017 and 2018 at the old General Foods Plant. The records show he found no serious violations of fire codes. Using a form letter, Casagrande wrote to the organizers, "We would like to commend you for the excellent job of fire prevention that is being carried out on your premises and for your cooperation with us."  

Seven people were able to get out safely after an early morning fire at a home on Rockford's West side on Saturday. Just after 2:30 a.m., firefighters responded to a call in the 300 block of South Henrietta Avenue for an exterior fire that had reached the second story of a home. The family's grandson was still awake and was able to get everyone out. Crews were able to contain the fire to the outside, saving the structure. Damages are estimated to be around $10,000. Working smoke detectors were found in the home and the cause of the fire is under investigation.  

The Niles Fire Department is changing its command staff and reviving the position of deputy chief, a position which had gone unfilled since 2008. District Chief Robert Greiner reported for duty Friday, Oct. 25, in his new role as Niles' deputy fire chief of operations. Scott Guerino becomes the new third district chief for community risk reduction, joining District Chief Orlando Diaz in charge of training, and District Chief Rich Scipione overseeing emergency medical service. District chiefs work shifts with firefighters, 24 hours on and 48 hours off. Fire Chief Marty Feld said Greiner will work a regular daytime schedule 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Feld and Greiner also respond to major incidents as they happen during off hours. Greiner will receive an overall 4% raise in pay with the new rank. Other departments including Des Plaines, Glenview, Mount Prospect and Elk Grove Village all have deputy fire chiefs.  

A fire near Langston Hughes Elementary School in Fernwood damaged two homes on the city's South Side Friday night. Fire officials said they were called to the scene in the 200-block of West 104th Street shortly after 8:30 p.m. by a fire alarm. Firefighters at the scene said they believe the fire started in a house near the school, then spread to a second home next door. Heavy smoke set off one of the school's fire alarms. There is no damage to the school, but heavy damage to one of the homes. Only one of the homes appears to be occupied. No injuries have been reported.  

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that left two people dead early Sunday morning on Sprague Road, west of state Route 252. According to officials, 31-year-old Keith Liedtke, of Columbia Station, was driving a 2007 Pontiac G5 in the eastbound lane of Sprague Road. Twenty-seven-year-old Brent Reszler, of Columbia Station, was in the passenger seat. The Pontiac went off the right side of the road, hitting a utility pole which broke in half, bringing power lines down in the roadway. Both men got out of the car and walked across the road, coming into contact with the downed lines. Later on, 23-year-old Brett Wilson and 24-year-old Hannah Gallagher, both from Cleveland, heard the crash and went to help. Both Wilson and Gallagher also came in contact with the power lines.  

An ongoing dispute between neighboring fire department jurisdictions in northern Beaufort County could mean that, beginning Friday, the closest firefighters won't always respond first to an emergency. Leaders of the Beaufort-Port Royal Fire Department and Burton Fire District say their departments are equipped to keep residents adequately safe despite the latest escalation in the spat. The municipalities and Burton Fire District have been at odds for more than 20 years over agreements for service and compensation for properties the municipalities have annexed in the Burton area, an unincorporated community in northern Beaufort County. Under multiple agreements since, Beaufort and Port Royal have each paid Burton Fire District an annual fee for covering the properties now in city or town limits, based on established formulas.  

The recent fatal fire on Coffin Ave has brought renewed attention to the fire department's blackout policy. First responders were able to locate and evacuate 85-year-old Louise Barboza on the third floor of her three-story home after receiving reports of a structure fire, but she suffered second and third degree burns and later died at the hospital. On Thursday, the president of the local firefighters union Tom Carreiro sent out a statement, he said, in response to media questions about blackouts following the "tragic fire on Tuesday evening." The statement said that, "The First Due apparatus (for Tuesday's fire) were Engine 8 and Ladder 4 from Station 8 located at the corner of Acushnet Avenue and Davis Street. On this day Engine 8 was the ‘blacked out' (closed) apparatus for a 24 hour shift."  

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), has received just shy of a million dollars in Fire Prevention and Safety Grant money from FEMA to develop a free public safety drone compliance program that includes educational training and a searchable knowledgebase that tracks fire service drone programs and usage. Fire departments have rapidly expanded the use of drones as more communities have realized the lifesaving impact that aerial technology can have in response to structural fires, wildland firefighting, search and rescue efforts, hazardous material responses, natural disaster efforts, and any other events that would benefit from increased situational awareness. Although drone safety policies and standards continue to evolve, many U.S. fire departments are without the proper information, knowledge, and experience needed to establish and maintain a legally sound public safety program that is compliant with FAA regulations, and the standards produced by ASTM International, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and NFPA.  

After recently going solar, an Ann Arbor fire station is set to undergo interior renovations. City Council has OK'd a $208,400 contract with Allied Building Service Co. of Detroit for upgrades to Station 6 next to Briarwood Mall, including adding gender-neutral facilities. The station was constructed in the early 1980s when the fire service was made up of mostly male firefighters, officials said. As more women join the ranks, it's important to ensure fire station facilities reflect changes in gender makeup, Matt Kulhanek, the city's facilities manager, told council in a memo. "The proposed renovations to Fire Station #6 will provide gender-neutral restroom and shower facilities and living spaces, which can be used by all fire service employees during all shifts regardless of gender," Kulhanek wrote.