Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to mobilize state firefighting resources to support local officials in preparation for wildfire potential in the Panhandle. "I thank all of our firefighters and emergency responders who are working on the frontlines to protect their fellow Texans from these fires," said Governor Abbott. "Beginning today through early next week, Texans are urged to regularly monitor fire weather conditions and limit activities that could cause sparks or flames to keep themselves, their loved ones, and their property out of harm's way." The Texas A&M Forest Service warns of increased wildfire danger beginning today and extending into early next week. Fire risk associated with two forecasted cold fronts will impact areas of the western plains, where the presence of dry, dead grass increases wildfire danger.  

Funeral arrangements have been announced for West Volunteer Firefighter Eddie Hykel. According to the Aderhold Funeral Home, a rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, followed by visitation until 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Walter Dhanwar as celebrant – assisted by Deacon Robin Waters and Rev. John Crowder. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. 60-year-old Edward R. "Eddie" Hykel, Jr., of West, passed away early Tuesday afternoon while on a call with the West Volunteer Fire Department. As Hykel worked the scene, Texas DPS troopers say a Peterbilt truck traveling on the inside lane disregarded the cautionary measures in place and struck him. Hykel was immediately transported to Baylor Scott and White in critical condition, but he later died from his injuries.  

Recent events have sparked conversation regarding the slow down move over law, in Texas. Most recently, West Firefighter Edward Hykel died after he was struck along I-35, responding to a car fire. His death comes at a time when multiple emergency response agencies are pushing for a bill that'll increase the fines associated with the slow down move over law. Speaking to a few of those emergency response agencies, they recalled their own close calls alongside the road. "All it would've taken is for me to take a step back, for me to slip, fall and she would've hit me," said Roadrunner towing owner, Geoff Nienstedt. He's spent two-thirds of his life working on the roadside, many of which included close calls with other drivers on the road. While he's never been hit, someone close to him has, sparking his fight for more safety.  

The Lubbock Fire Department announced they will start to certify their new hires in firefighter and EMT training. They also offered paid training for the first time. Chief Shaun Fogerson said they wanted to provide the opportunity to anyone and everyone the chance to be a firefighter, without training or money getting in the way. Fogerson said they noticed they were not going to have enough staff for their new fire station opening next year. "What we found was that over the years, our number of applicants has declined, and our interest has declined so we decided to make a change," Chief Fogerson said. "Everyone that we train will be certified to the state level just as those for the last 20 years have been, but they'll be certified by us." The certification process begins with an applicant attending and paying for firefighter school and EMT training on their own.  

The Pittsburg Fire Department in Camp County announced on Thursday they received a $220,000 grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department. The City of Pittsburg said the grant was used to purchase a 2022 Freightliner with a 1,000-gallon water tank, foam, hoses and other rescue equipment. "The department is small and with our limited staffing, we needed something that could fill multiple roles," Pittsburg Fire Department Assistant Chief Carl Cravey said. "Having a diverse fleet will allow us to get the necessary equipment to the scene with fewer crew members." The city said the multi-functional truck will be used during wildland fires with a wildland urban interface component for rescues and structure fires.  

VIDEO: A South Side nurse found himself on the other end of a life-or-death situation. Jason Clarke, 46, almost died in a crash last August. On Thursday, he met the paramedics and firefighters who helped save his life. "I didn't know who they were. I can't remember their faces. I can't tell you their names, but just going back and thinking about it all the times that they came to my ER and I didn't realize just how much they're under-appreciated," said Clarke. Clarke was the passenger in a car that crashed into a barrier. He was pinned in the vehicle and suffered major injuries. A witness called for help, and paramedics rushed to the scene, pulling him out of the mangled vehicle. "They had to put two tourniquets on me. To be bleeding that much, if there wouldn't have been a witness, I don't think by the time they got to the scene, I would have made it," said Clarke.  

Dramatic video captured the moment two Orange County firefighters narrowly escaped getting crushed by a flaming storefront that suddenly collapsed. More than 40 firefighters responded to a blaze at a strip mall in the 12500 block of Valley View Street in Garden Grove just after 8:40 p.m. Thursday. Video showed the building's facade come crashing down as two firefighters battling the flames scrambled to get away. A knockdown by the Orange County Fire Authority was reported around 9:37 p.m. OCFA said there were no injuries. It's unclear how many businesses were damaged by the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation.  

At least one local fire department received reimbursement from Norfolk Southern for damages and losses suffered in the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Thursday that Norfolk Southern has completed its first $1 million in reimbursements to Pennsylvania fire departments, first responders and Beaver County Hazmat. Bessemer Borough received $174,699 from Norfolk Southern after having put in a request for the funds last Friday, said Bessemer fire Chief Jeff Breetz. "We put in the request a week ago and we got the payment that night," Breetz said. The department lost a lot of hose, turnout gear, nozzles and other items considered contaminated after the response. "They compensated us for everything we turned in," he said. "They treated us well. We didn't ask for anything we didn't lose."  

VIDEO: For the tenth time, firefighters and other first responders from the Midlands team up to see who can pull a 40,000 pound fire truck, all with the purpose of raising money for the mission of Curing Kids Cancer. The organization, of the same name was founded in 2005, and over the years, has raised over $25 million for research, resources, treatments and more. This years event is planned for 10:00 AM on Saturday at Soda City, on the corner of Main and Lady Streets. The event is rain or shine, and although there may be a small line of thundershowers late in the morning on Saturday, the event will go on.  

PHOTOS: As some already know, The Great Sacandaga Lake is a manmade lake, but do you know why it was made? Its purpose began in 1913 when the country's second deadliest flood took thousands of lives across 15 states, and left a quarter of a million homeless. While the flood led to great losses, it also led to the creation of the Sacandaga Lake, (which provides a runoff area for any excess water in the Hudson River, preventing flooding) among other societal advances. According to Trudy E. Bell from New York State Archives Partnership Trust, a strong, high-pressure storm hit the country on Good Friday in March of 1913. The storm brought torrential downpours and in Buffalo, record-breaking winds up to 90 mph! Apparently just North of Albany, 4-6 weeks worth of rain fell over the course of just 5 days.  

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Jetson Electric Bikes recalled their 42-Volt Rogue Self-Balancing Scoots/Hoverboards due to fire hazards that resulted in the deaths of two Pennsylvania girls. A 10-year-old girl and her 15-year-old sister died from a fire on April 1, 2022, in Hellertown, Pennsylvania. The hoverboard was the point of origin for the fire, although the cause of the fire remains undetermined. Fire spread from the originating room to other portions of the house. The girls' parents suffered from smoke inhalation injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There have been other reports of the hoverboards burning, sparking, and even melting. Some of these instances involved reports of flames, the Consumer Product Safety Commission stated.