VIDEO: A new program in Boone County was introduced to build a bright future for young people who want to become firefighters. North Boone Fire Protection District #3 already has a program for kids in high school called Explorer Post #2100. This teaches them about fire services and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and prepares students for a career in those fields if they choose to pursue one. The program introduced Tuesday evening is for kids younger than the high school age. Chief E.J. Dilonardo says North Boone Fire District #3 will work with the schools to approach students when they are in middle school. This approach to encouraging kids to work for their community as firefighters or EMS is embraced and supported by the International Association of Firefighters.  

A local Peoria Firefighter earned a new professional designation. According to the Peoria Fire Department, Peoria Fire Division Chief of Fire Prevention Nathaniel "Nate" Rice has achieved the Chief Fire Officer designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. The Commission of Professional Credentialing met and conferred Rice's designation on April 15. Rice is one of 1,892 Chief Fire Officers in the world, according to the Center for Public Safety Excellence. "Having this designation confirms that I am meeting the highest professional standards as a chief fire officer," Rice said. "The affirmation by my peers from across the industry is honorable and I look forward to continuing professional growth to retain this designation."  

PHOTOS: Twelve condominium units in Brookfield were completely destroyed by an overnight fire, the town's fire chief confirmed to Channel 3. According to Brookfield's Volunteer Fire Company, crews from numerous communities responded to help battle the fire at the Ledgewood Complex on Boxwood Drive. The call came in around 1:20 a.m. on Thursday. Two injuries were reported. The people suffered smoke inhalation, but were not seriously hurt, according to Brookfield Fire Chief Andrew Ellis. The fire reached a third alarm before crews were able to extinguish it. There's no word on a cause.  

The newest generation of firefighters in central Pennsylvania will be partaking in serious training earlier than ever after 21 fire companies in the area banded together to launch an initiative that will train and develop firefighters with live-burn training starting at 17. The coalition of fire companies, named the Capital Region Council of Governments (CapCOG), held a press conference on Wednesday at HACC announcing the "100-Teens-to-Lifesavers Challenge," which will allow local fire departments to prepare 17-year-olds with previously restricted live-burn training. Live-burn and interior firefighting training for volunteer firefighters under 18 was prohibited until Act 155 was signed into law in January 2023. Now, 17-year-old junior firefighters will need the permission of their parents and fire chief before participating in any live-burn training.  

PHOTOS: Dale Bash couldn't believe what he was seeing. Bash, chairman of the Antique Toy & Fire Museum, a volunteer non-profit organization with a keen eye for history and education, was at the museum's new facility on Sunday, April 21 in downtown Bay City to open its doors for its first exhibit: a 1918 Republic Fire Truck. Joined by fellow museum volunteers Mike, Nick and Justin Ruegsegger, Bash was struck by how many people stopped to take pictures of the fire truck as they backed it into the newly restored Victorian fire station. "It was amazing," Bash said. "There were even people that came out of the Washington Street Pub to take pictures. It was really a heartwarming sight."  

PHOTOS: A pair of osprey have returned to nest atop the Rehoboth Beach Fire Company siren. Osprey have been nesting atop the siren for the past several years. Osprey are migratory raptors that go south during the winter and live along our coast during the warmer months. Osprey also are known to mate for life, so it is likely the current pair is the same pair that have nested on the siren in previous years. Recently, deterrents had been placed atop the siren and a nearby tower to keep the osprey away. A traffic cone had been placed atop the siren while fake owls had been placed in several spots on the nearby tower. Looking beneath the nest, large piles of debris can be seen on a patio behind the fire company.