While the apartment building explosion at the Highland Hills apartments is still under investigation, three firefighters are just starting their journey to recovery. Those who know firsthand the dangers of the job say there's no question it was training and quick thinking that saved lives, including their own. Jim McDade said he had the same sinking feeling when he heard the mayday call go across the radio. "There's a moment of panic among all of us," said McDade. "It's chilling, absolutely chilling to hear that audio of that panic, and knowing full well that the person making that call is seriously injured." As a sixteen-year veteran and president of the Dallas Fire Fighters Association, he understands a firefighter only makes a mayday call under certain circumstances. "Mayday is what we would say on the radio if we're lost, or trapped, or out of air or in a really bad situation. We need somebody to come get us, is what it means," he said.  

Several police departments paid their respects during a procession held on highway 69 going into Pollok just south of Lufkin. The procession was held for Alto officer Ryan Vasquez who died of COVID-19 on September 7 at 43-years old. One of the police departments that paid homage to the officer was the Rusk Police Department in Cherokee County. Second Assistant Chief for Rusk Fire Department Jonathan Phillips says it's hard to see an officer gone so soon. "It hits a little harder being that they're in the same field as we are. Being a first responder it's a little bit different when it's one of your own," said Phillips. The Rusk Fire Department has worked with the Alto Police Department several times before and had been there for them when the Rusk Fire chief was in the hospital battling COVID-19.  

VIDEO: Texas Gas Service told ABC-7 in a statement: "Early this morning, during the severe thunderstorm that rolled through, lightning appeared to strike ground and cause damage to a home and our pipeline. The damage to our pipeline caused the gas to ignite, until gas was shut off by our crews. Our crews are making repairs to the pipeline. Once repairs are completed, we will be able to restore natural gas service to the 13 residences affected." Resident Chris Banuelos said the sound of the lightning strike reminded him of his time in the military. "I was just a little bit in shock, it literally pretty much threw me out of bed. I hit the ground, kind of reminded me... I thought mortars were coming in, thought I was back in Iraq for a little bit," said Banuelos.  

As the exponential population growth in New Braunfels has continued in recent years, the need for additional first responders and more robust public safety services has grown and led to requests from the New Braunfels Police Department and New Braunfels Fire Department for more staff and better internal support systems. "The biggest challenge we face is providing adequate fire and EMS coverage to the exploding population," said former NBFD Fire Chief Patrick O'Connell ahead of his Sept. 20 retirement after serving the department for 16 years. As a result, New Braunfels City Council on Sept. 27 unanimously approved its fiscal year 2021-22 budget, which prioritized one-time investments and staffing increases that utilize surplus funding received during the year.  

The fire was reported at a home along the 2400 block of Garden Creek Drive with heavy fire coming from the back of the home. The Arlington Fire Department told NBC 5 they were conducting an offensive attack and that according to the most recent report, at about 10:30 a.m., most of the fire has been knocked down. From Texas Sky Ranger, a large part of the back of the home appears to have been destroyed along with a porch and an outbuilding. The home is located near Texas 360 and Interstate 20 and Arlington fire is asking people to avoid the immediate area. The cause of the fire is not yet known and no injuries have been reported.  

VIDEO: After an hours-long battle on Thursday, a massive 3-alarm fire at a distribution center in Carson is under control, according to fire officials. It took about 200 firefighters to get the blaze under control. According to an employee, a barrel of hand sanitizer exploded and prompted the fire. It started around 2 p.m. near S Avalon and E Alondra boulevards. An employee told ABC7 a barrel of hand sanitizer exploded and believes it prompted the fire. The official cause of the fire has not been released. Video from above the fire at its peak showed the flames being fueled by hundreds of burning pallets. Fire officials confirmed to Eyewitness News that some of those pallets were packed with a variety of items, including products made with rubbing alcohol. They say the distribution center consists of several floors, all stocked with different items.  

Cancer is a serious health threat facing today's firefighters. Studies have shown that firefighters have an increased risk of developing several types of cancers, due to the occupational hazards they face. However, there are steps firefighters can take to protect themselves and their crew. The National Volunteer Fire Council and International Association of Fire Chiefs' Volunteer and Combination Officers Section released the Lavender Ribbon Report to present 11 specific actions firefighters need to take to lessen their risk of occupational cancer. Make these standard operating procedures in your department. The Lavender Ribbon Report Update, released in September 2021, takes things a step further by sharing personal stories, examples of how departments are implementing the best practices, and other information to reinforce the actions firefighters need to take to lessen their exposure risks.  

PHOTOS: You could say Winter Park Firefighter-Paramedic Alfredo Escalera Jr. is a little bit of an adrenaline junkie. Born in Puerto Rico, Escalera moved to Casselberry with his mother when he was a small child. Later, he followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a boxer. His father, also named Alfredo Escalera, was a professional boxer with 70 bouts between 1970 and 1983. "He was a Super Featherweight World Champion from 1975 to 1978. So boxing was something that I grew up with, whenever I would visit him back in Puerto Rico. Boxing has kind of always been in my life," Escalera said. Escalera himself turned pro in 2005, with 24 bouts until his last fight in 2013. "I finished my record at 19-4-1. I made it as high as number 15 in the world," Escalera said.  

VIDEO: Entertainment One (eOne) today shared the first trailer and poster for family animated feature Fireheart, coming to cinemas early next year. The CG-animated movie centers on a girl who finds a way to follow her dream of becoming a firefighter and crack a mysterious case of serial arson across jazz age Broadway. The second feature film produced by Montreal's L'Atelier Animation (Leap!), Fireheart is directed by Laurent Zeitoun & Théodore Ty. Ever since she was a child, Georgia Nolan has had only one dream: to become a fireman, just like her father. Unfortunately, in New York City in 1930, women are not allowed to be firefighters. But, when the city's firemen begin to disappear in a series of mysterious fires at Broadway theaters, Georgia sees a golden opportunity.  

VIDEO: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to recognize this vital period of information and education, we've kicked off a new project — TODAY Paints the Town Pink. To get things started, on Friday, that meant turning a bright pink spotlight on three people whose lives have been impacted by the disease. These heroes each found their own ways to turn pain and fear into hope and help. We turned the spotlight to Marshall Moneymaker, a retired firefighter from Rockville, Maryland, who still suits up and gets behind the wheel of a pink firetruck every day. But he's no longer battling blazes. Instead, he's raising awareness about the disease that took the lives of all three of his sisters, and he's offering outreach to others with his nonprofit For 3 Sisters. "We help people get products, services, financial aid," he said.