VIDEO: First responders in Central Illinois helped a man to safety after dealing with a grain bin accident in Royal Tuesday morning. The Ogden Royal Fire Protection District, Urbana and Homer Fire Departments received a call about a man injured inside a grain bin. Ogden Royal Fire Chief Randy Thompson said when he got there, he didn't know what to think. "There's so much that can go on," Thompson said. "And I mean, this is a dangerous place to work." CEO of Premier Cooperative Tim Hughes said the employee wanted to get out of the empty grain bin himself but couldn't because of a hurt ankle. "It was hard for him to climb out of the bin," Hughes said. "So, like I said, as an abundance of caution, we just call in emergency services."  

VIDEO: With the help of State Farm Insurance, the City of Bloomington is buying a 27-foot mobile training simulator to help the fire department teach fire safety. Using interactive technology, the vehicle simulates scenarios to teach people of all ages how to respond to emergencies and prevent injuries. "It's one thing for us to go out and talk about fire safety and life safety issues, but it's a totally different type of learning and understanding if I can immerse that person into the situation that I'm trying to teach them about to keep them safe," said Bloomington Fire Department Capt. Frank Friend. It's also ADA-accessible. Capt. Friend said the accessibility of the simulator is important to provide information to people with mobility and physical disabilities. The simulator cost $180,000 and was partially funded by a State Farm grant.  

There were a few damp eyes and many big smiles at the most recent meeting of the Bridgeview Village Board. Yep, even firefighters get a bit sentimental, especially when family history is involved. The reason for the emotions was former Bridgeview Fire Chief Terry Lipinski pinned his old lieutenant's badge on the uniform jacket worn by his son Nicholas Lipinski. Moments earlier, the younger Lipinski had been sworn in by Mayor Steve Landek as the fire department's newest lieutenant during the July 3 board meeting. "I am proud, very proud," the elder Lipinski said. "He worked hard for it. It didn't have anything to do with me." "He's always been around the firehouse. We use to play catch in the firehouse. All the guys knew him. He used to eat with us. This is a natural place for him," Terry said. Nicholas Lipinski, 39, grew up in Bridgeview.  

The Phoenix Fire Department is hoping a new social media campaign will help keep residents and visitors safe around the Valley. You may have already seen their online posts featuring a firefighter with a big handlebar mustache holding up a sign that offers a public safety reminder. They're simple photos, but the messages are hugely important. ABC15 talked with the fire department about their new campaign and why they think it's a good way to reach more people in a way that sticks.  

VIDEO: Emergency responders with the Kansas City Fire Department helped rescue two people from an abandoned mine shaft early Sunday morning. Authorities say they got the victims out in about 30 minutes. "The cave was pitch black," KCFD Fire Captain Chris Vandermillion said. "We were fortunate to have lights, ropes and that helped in finding them." The 30-year-old man and 22-year-old woman told authorities they went inside the cave around 11 p.m. Saturday after the Kenny Chesney concert. The victims became disoriented and were unable to find their way out. Just after 4 a.m., they found a spot with a cell signal to call 911, but they were far from the entrance. KCFD had two rescue teams on foot and one outside the cave on standby.  

VIDEO: Firefighters in Brevard County say they want a new contract. They and some of their supporters gathered outside the county's government center on Tuesday afternoon to raise awareness for their cause. Currently, the starting salary for firefighters in Brevard County is approximately $15 per hour. The President of the local firefighters union says there's plenty of competition for new recruits. Meanwhile, county officials are making an effort to attract and retain more firefighters. The new contract has been under negotiation since January. The current contract expires on September 30. "It's a calling, and they want to do their job," said Michael Bramsom, President of the Brevard County Professional Firefighters Union IAFF Local 2969. "Are we giving them the services, the knowledge, the equipment to do the job?"  

If you've ever seen a fire truck respond to a medical emergency and wondered why, you're not alone. Ada County's emergency response system currently stitches together responses from several fire departments and the Ada County Paramedics to respond to calls for medical emergencies. These agencies have a one-size-fits-all approach to who can respond to calls – with everything from a sprained ankle to a car accident with multiple life-threatening injuries getting the same initial response. This is why a full-size fire truck with a paramedic on the crew might respond to your call for help even if no fire is in sight. Ada County Paramedics has different staffers with different levels of training too, with every ambulance going to every call manned by a more highly trained paramedic and an EMT.