This week the City of Amarillo announced it supports Amarillo College's (AC) plan to build a $13 million Regional First Responders Training Center at the old JC Penny store in Sunset Center. They've now completed the schematic design view of the project, but they still haven't purchased the JC Penny building yet. This would house firefighters, EMT and Law Enforcement AC students together instead of how it is now... as students currently are spread throughout different AC campuses. "The purchase of the building is the all-important step. As soon as we can get that, well start asbestos abatement's and demolition of what's inside that building so that we can actually do some real refined measurements for the architects, so we'd like to get demolition done, so we have that done, we're ready to start construction as soon as the plans are complete, hopefully by six months," said Danny Smith, master plan program manager.  

A late-morning fire has taken the life of an East Texas man. The incident occurred in the 200 block of Liberty Road outside of Linden in Avinger. According to the Cass County Sheriffs Office, 62-year-old Terry Lynn Grant was found inside his home near the front door after firefighters extinguished the fire. One of Grant's dogs also succumbed to the fire. According to a friend, Grant used a walker. The house was fully involved when the Avinger Fire Department arrived on scene just after 10 a.m. Next of kin was notified and the body sent off for autopsy. The Texas State Fire Marshals Office has been called in to conduct an investigation. Currently there is no information regarding a possible cause of the fire.  

The fire burning in the rugged high country of the Chisos Mountains in far West Texas has now charred 929 acres of the 10,000 acres within Big Bend National Park, according to park superintendent Bob Krumenaker. Krumenaker said the fire, which is 35% contained, began on April 8 by burning 15 acres. He said it continues to spread but not as quickly as it was. "It's growing slowly. It's creeping. It's smoldering," Krumenaker said. "It's making a few runs in the wilderness area. But there are no structures or any developments or any people that are at risk from this fire right now." Krumenaker said the fire was started on the South Rim trail, possibly by a tossed cigarette or an illegal campfire. The cause is under investigation. The superintendent said the fire is being closely monitored, along with weather conditions and any threat of high winds.  

Fire crews saved at least 10 animals in a major apartment fire at the northeast-side Villa Rodriguez complex Wednesday morning. Crews were called out around 10:15 a.m. to the Nacogdoches Road property. At least 30 fire units responded to the fire about a block away from MacArthur High School. Fire officials said there were no injuries, but the damage was extensive and most of the people living in that building have lost everything. Most of the building's residents weren't home at the time. Many that came home discovered their apartments were destroyed. Crews were also able to rescue at least 10 animals from the apartment building, according to officials. Resident Darlene Smith, meanwhile, can't seem to catch a break. "This is the third time this has happened," she said. "I come from Katrina. Then my house caught fire again, and now again."  

VIDEO: A dog named Booger got himself in a bind over the weekend. The German shepherd got stuck under a truck after being frightened by the thunder and lightning. It took a team of people to get him out. Booger is a two-year-old German shepherd. Today, he is free. But last Sunday, his owner Roger Grimes could not find him anywhere until Booger gave him a clue. "I just saw his tail wagging. He was up under that '93 Chevrolet four-wheel drive between the cross-members and the transmission. He could not go back and he could go forwards," Grimes explained. Grimes says he called the City of Lufkin, who then called the fire department and animal control. "I got under the vehicle and kind of assessed the situation. I could not believe he got in there. I do not know how he did, but he was rotated. He was just scared," Parish said.  

El Paso officials say it's not uncommon to see individuals miss their scheduled appointments for a COVID-19 vaccine. El Paso Fire Chief Mario D'Agostino says an estimated 20 percent of appointments are absent daily. And, Tuesday was no different. It has prompted monitoring by health officials who are overseeing the rollout of the vaccine in the community. "Yesterday we didn't see an uptick — there was no difference — but we average 20 percent of people, whether it's first or second dose who don't show up on a daily basis, and we maintained that across all the sites yesterday as well. So we haven't seen it yet, but that's not to say it's not coming," said D'Agostino.  

VIDEO: Pasco County rescue crews got a unique training experience Wednesday aboard the historic American Victory Ship docked in Tampa. Pasco County Fire Rescue Special Operations Division bought all three shifts of crews to do some advanced confined-space training 60 feet down in the ship's hull – training they might not otherwise be able to get at home. "It's amazing to me because we're on part of living history right here, on board the American Victory Ship," offered Carry Epperson with PCFR. "To get to train on their ship that's been through so much, it's just amazing." It's very critical for Pasco County Fire Rescue be able to have this kind of training because they can encounter some very unique situations. The scenario that the firefighters faced Wednesday aboard the ship was a victim who was overcome by fumes down in the ship's hull.  

VIDEO: A fire caused heavy damage Wednesday morning to an apartment complex on the city's North Side. When firefighters arrived at the complex in the 3200 block of Nacogdoches Road, they found heavy flames and called in a second alarm. San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said between 60 to 100 occupants will need to find another place to live. The Red Cross will help them find temporary shelter, Hood said. No injuries were reported but firefighters rescued about 10 pets, Hood said. This is at least the third large fire reported at the complex since September 2019. A lightning strike caused a fire at the complex last April. The cause of Wednesday's fire is under investigation.  

Some associate post traumatic stress disorder with members of the military, but those on the frontlines at home also deal with it. "I'm a retired firefighter myself, and after 20 years on the job I've seen two of my brothers lost to suicide and two other suicide attempts," Robert Coleman said. After several years, one bill finally passed through the West Virginia Legislature that lawmakers believe will save lives. The bill is inspired by Coleman's son, who took his own life after being diagnosed with PTSD from work-related trauma. "After I retired, my oldest son, Chris, joined the fire department," Coleman said. "He had five years on the job and two and a half years ago he took his life." In 2018, Coleman took time off in an attempt to get help, but used up all of his vacation and sick time. "Then he was on no-pay status and he didn't have much of a choice, he had to go back to work," Coleman said. "He wasn't quite ready for it."  

Seven volunteer fire companies in Niagara County are signed up to take part in the 12th annual Recruit NY Weekend organized by the Firemen's Association of the State of New York. Recruit NY Weekend is April 24-25. Participating companies include Rapids, Middleport, Terry's Corners, Shawnee, Adams, Active Hose and Wendelville. "Hundreds of volunteer fire departments across New York will be participating in Recruit NY. We invite all New Yorkers to attend an open house and safely experience what it means to be a volunteer firefighter," FASNY President John Farrell said in an announcement. "After the year we have been through, Recruit NY weekend can provide people with the opportunity to interact with the responders who are dedicated to protecting them." FASNY reports that firefighters are responding to more calls now than ever, and the calls are increasingly diverse.