The Springfield Fire Department has been awarded a nearly half a million dollar grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Department will use the $460,290 grant to buy 42 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliant air packs with, as well as a new self-contained breathing apparatus fill station to replace an existing one. "We are extremely grateful to FEMA for recognizing the importance of equipping our firefighters with the tools they need to effectively and safely respond to emergencies," said Chief Edward Canny. "This grant will have a significant impact on our ability to protect lives and property, and we are excited to put this funding to good use." The department said the equipment will help firefighters do their jobs, including hazardous materials incidents and providing critical support during natural disasters.  

VIDEO: Big changes are happening in Boone County when it comes to ambulance service. Voters in district 2 approved a new tax to bring ambulance service in house and now it's up and running. For more than 35 years Boone County Fire District 2 relied on outside agencies to provide EMS transport but as of last week, the district now has its own service. "Anything that we can do to improve what we can do for our community we're gonna push for it," says Chief Brian Kunce of Fire District 2. Right now the district has one ambulance with a total of six firefighter paramedics and EMTs. "It's something that I don't think people thought were ever going to happen here and it's been a big deal for us, and we're very proud to do our own EMS services for the community," says Kevin Schulz, Firefighter Paramedic and EMS Coordinator for Boone County Fire District 2.  

VIDEO: It's been more than a month since the deadly attack at Birmingham's Fire Station 9, and still there have been no arrests. "Life changing, career changing, we're just trying to get back to a sense of normalcy whatever that new normal may be," says Captain Orlando Reynolds with Birmingham Fire and Rescue. For the company of Birmingham's Station 9, the new normal is operating out of Station 8 in Kingston. Following the deadly shooting that took place at their building back in July, the company of Birmingham's Station 9 were operating out of Station 23 in Inglenook. "The event happened there, so we're trying to make sure that station is ready for those men and women when it is time for them to move to be as comfortable as possible."  

VIDEO: Becoming a doctor is no easy feat. Now imagine doing it as a second career after an accident that nearly killed you. One such South Florida physician is making Miami Proud with his passion and persistence. "Emergency medicine is the heartbeat of the hospital and the community," said Dr. Christopher Nunez. He knows that firsthand and from all perspectives. First as a paramedic, then as a patient, and now, as a doctor at Broward Health. "For the last 20 years of my life, I was a paramedic firefighter here in the city of Fort Lauderdale," Nunez said. "After 19 years, I was involved in an accident and I could no longer be a fireman. So I decided to go to medical school." Nunez loved his job with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue. But one morning in 2017, he was riding his bicycle and collided with a van on State Road A1A.  

A study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine found that among volunteer firefighters in the United States, there are gaps in skin cancer prevention efforts. Among firefighters, rates of melanoma incidence and mortality are higher than that of the general population. This can be attributed to excess occupational exposure to ultraviolet rays and cancer-causing agents found in flame retardants. Due to this, the National Fire Protection Association explicitly recommends that firefighters undergo an annual skin cancer screening and skin check. With this in mind, researchers Shah et al sought to examine skin cancer prevalence and prevention efforts among volunteer firefighters in the US, noting that these volunteers account for two thirds of the US fire service.  

In the digital age, where smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives, the practice of charging our devices overnight has become a norm. It offers the convenience of starting the day with a full battery, ready to tackle the challenges ahead. However, a recent warning from Apple sheds light on the potential dangers associated with charging your iPhone overnight. While the convenience of waking up to a charged phone is undeniable, the risks of fire and injury should not be underestimated. Apple's cautionary message highlights a less-obvious consequence of overnight charging – the risk of overheating. Leaving your iPhone underneath a pillow or buried beneath blankets might seem cozy, but it could lead to hazardous consequences.