PHOTO: A fire broke out at a townhouse in Joliet early Monday morning. The Joliet Fire Department received a call about a structure fire at 920 Bluebell Circle at approximately 12:16 a.m. and arrived on the scene within three minutes. Firefighters encountered heavy flames coming from the front of the two-story building. Multiple hose lines were used to extinguish the blaze. Crews also performed search and rescue, ventilation, and salvage operations. The fire was brought under control by 12:56 a.m. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: The Normal Fire Department was able to help out with more than just putting out a fire after an apartment fire Monday. According to the fire department, crews responded to a kitchen fire at an apartment near Orlando Avenue and Northbrook Drive. A sprinkler activated and contained the fire until firefighters could fully extinguish it. While on the scene, the firefighters were also able to help some kids do some maintenance on their bikes. No information on the cause of the fire has been released.  

VIDEO: In a profession dominated by men, the Peoria Fire Department is evening the playing field with the most females employed in department history. In the last six years, the city's department hired five females, according to Division Chief of Operations Lore Baxter. Before that, it had been nearly 20 years since a new woman geared up, changing the station culture from firemen to firefighters. Reilly Taylor has worked for the Peoria Fire Department for six years. She said the biggest challenge is the physical aspect, but finding ways to work smarter is the key for a woman in this profession. "What works best for me might not work best for you. As far as throwing ladders or pulling hose, you just kind of find your own ways of doing things, but I would say we're just as capable as men," Taylor said.  

VIDEO: Seventeen firefighters suffered heat-related injuries and were treated at the scene of a fire Tuesday afternoon at a business plaza in Monroe Township. One firefighter was hospitalized and is described as being in "stable condition," according to a press release from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. The City of Monroe Fire Department responded to the area of Jones Avenue and South Monroe Street around 1:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a vacant building next to the Michigan College of Beauty. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the building, according to the sheriff's office. Multiple other area fire departments assisted the Monroe fire and the public safety departments at the scene. It is unclear at this time how the fire started or what the extent of the damage is. The fire is under investigation.  

VIDEO: A new program at the University of South Florida aims to better protect first responders from infectious diseases. The multi-million dollar project is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Firefighters and EMS personnel risk their lives every day to protect people. The program is researching ways to better protect them. "There are unique challenges that sometimes are really basic but haven't been considered for that setting," Tine Mcguire-Wolfe said. Mcguire-Wolfe is an assistant professor involved in this program and a retired firefighter. She knows the vulnerabilities first responders face daily. "They don't have, for example, running water, so there are certain pathogens where we know hand sanitizer doesn't work as well," she said.  

The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) will open the doors to all 24 fire stations across the city, welcoming the community to meet their neighborhood firefighters, as part of Mayor Yemi Mobolade's 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings Initiative. "Mental Health is an important topic in my department. I understand the heaviness mental health can bear on our community and fully support Mayor Yemi's initiative in helping our neighbors feel less alone," said Fire Chief Randy Royal. "I think I can speak for all of my crews when I say we are very excited to welcome our community into our firehouses and meet some new faces, build new relationships, and be good neighbors." Every Saturday, starting August 3 and going through September 7, CSFD will host open houses, when locals are encouraged to find their neighborhood fire station and stop by to meet the crews.