A baby girl died in a mobile home fire over the weekend in Hereford. Hereford officials said about 7:25 a.m. on Sunday, Hereford firefighters, police officers and first responders were called out to the area of San Obregon and Hermosillo Calle on a structure fire. Officials were also told that a person was possibly inside of the home. Responders on scene found a mobile home fully involved. After the fire was brought under control, officials determined an infant girl passed away in the fire. The cause of the fire is undetermined and the home is believed to be a total loss. Other family members were able to leave the home.  

With a deadline drawing near, the COVID-19 pandemic has stalled the city's firefighter union short of its goal in a petition drive aimed at forcing a new employment contract. The firefighters need signatures from 5% of the city's registered voters by May 28 to add a proposal to November's general election ballot. If they are successful, residents will vote whether to change the city charter to require negotiators to accept binding third-party arbitration. The hope is to break through an impasse that dates to 2018 and finally achieve an agreeable new contract. About 1,000 qualified signatures are required, but the union's goal is at least 2,000, said Texarkana, Texas, Fire Department Driver-Engineer Scott Robertson, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 367.  

Parker County Emergency Services District 7 recently hired former Lancaster Fire Department Captain Joseph Edwards as its new district chief. "I am really excited about the opportunities of this position and extremely impressed with the personnel and organization," Edwards said. "They have accomplished a great deal here through the wisdom and commitment of both the volunteer and paid staff, along with the support and vision of the ESD Commission." Edwards began his career as a firefighter in 1989 and worked at the Lancaster Fire Department in South Dallas County until 2015. During his career at Lancaster, Edwards was promoted through the ranks to captain and became certified as a paramedic, master firefighter and received other certifications through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.  

City Commissioner Frank Puente is counting on Gov. Greg Abbott's order to temporarily open the city to other ambulance companies amid the coronavirus outbreak. On Wednesday, commissioners are set to meet behind closed doors to discuss a request by Puente and Commissioner Richard Uribe to temporarily lift a city ordinance's restrictions banning other ambulance companies from entering the South Texas Emergency Medical Services Foundation's service area. Since January, Puente has pushed to revise the ordinance banning other EMS providers from offering non-emergency transport within STEC's service area stretching across much of Cameron County. For 40 years, STEC, a nonprofit organization founded by city leaders, has held its contract giving it exclusive rights to serve the area. "I'm thinking specifically about the safety of my constituents," Puente said. "Unfortunately, others seem to view it as a numbers and profit game."  

A Saturday afternoon fire near Athens killed a four-year-old girl and sent four others to the hospital for treatment. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene around 3:40 p.m., April 11. Upon arrival, the structure on County Road 3718 was already showing flames. The Andrews Family lost their youngest child Carlee who was 4 years old.Aaron Scott, a spokesperson for the family, said the father, J.R. Andrews, was transported by air medical to Parkland Hospital in Dallas and put on a ventilator. He was taken off the ventilator Sunday but is still on oxygen. The rest of family was transported to UT Health Athens for treatment and are under observation. Scott said he does not know when J.R. will be released but wife Maranda and their two sons are expected to be released soon. "They are both still in shock.," Scott said.  

Three dozen firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire late Sunday night in the 2900 block of East Industrial Boulevard. Monday morning, crews continued to put out hot spots. According to Deputy Chief, R. M. Bergerson, the call went out at just before 10:10 p.m. Sunday. When firefighters arrived, heavy smoke was coming from a warehouse. Later, flames spread to another warehouse. Both structures are large metal buildings that contain sawdust. Fire officials said sawdust is highly flammable and smolders. No injuries were reported. Thirty-seven firefighters, a sizable part of the department, battled the flames.  

Battling COVID-19 requires an elaborate armor. First responders don masks, shields, respirators, and other personal protective equipment to protect themselves from the fast-spreading airborne virus. A staple protective gear is the isolation gown. Made from waterproof material and typically designed with long sleeves and snap closures, they protect health care workers while treating patients from splashes and sprays. According to a 2015 survey by the US National Health Institute, isolation gowns are the second-most used piece of PPE after medical gloves. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, these gowns are in such short supply that the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recently recommended tactics to extend the use of the typically single-use coverings. Responding to the shortage, automaker Ford has started producing hospital-grade isolation gowns with the fabric used in its airbags.  

With a growing number of coronavirus cases, the Bossier City Fire Department is making new use of machines its had for the past six years to decontaminate the back of its ambulances in mere minutes. "We have one at every fire station, a few reserves and one on every ambulance," Fire Chief Brad Zagone said of the gear. About 40 positive COVID-19 patients have been transported via BCFD ambulances. And now, because it has this equipment, the department disinfects the back of its ambulances after every call. "The ambulances can take it with them so when they got a call and drop the patient off at the hospital, they can then turn this on and decontaminate the ambulance so they don't transfer any germs or viruses to the next patient they see. "It's a great asset. A great thing to have."  

With a deadline drawing near, the COVID-19 pandemic has stalled the city's firefighter union short of its goal in a petition drive aimed at forcing a new employment contract. The firefighters need signatures from 5% of the city's registered voters by May 28 to add a proposal to November's general election ballot. If they are successful, residents will vote whether to change the city charter to require negotiators to accept binding third-party arbitration. The hope is to break through an impasse that dates to 2018 and finally achieve an agreeable new contract. About 1,000 qualified signatures are required, but the union's goal is at least 2,000, said Texarkana, Texas, Fire Department Driver-Engineer Scott Robertson, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 367. The city secretary could disqualify some signatures during the petition's certification process, so the union wants as many as it can get.  

The lights and sirens Monday night in Tryon weren't for an emergency call. They were a tribute to a local fire chief and hero. A fitting farewell for Tryon Fire Chief Janes "Tank" Waters was complicated by restrictions in place because of COVID-19. But Tryon made it work. But it was strict coronavirus orders from Gov. Roy Cooper that had cars lined up in front of the fire station downtown on Monday. One by one, they offered their names for the funeral home guest book. Social distancing meant they couldn't even touch the pen. But they were able to pause and offer a farewell wave, then move along. "This was not a good, good hand we were dealt, but we're doing the best we can, while still honoring that memory," Polk County Sheriff's Office spokesman John Sauvé said.  

Municipalities across Washington are facing some difficult budget challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mayor in the City of Tukwila said administration estimates $6.1 million in lost revenue by the end of May. David Cline, City of Tukwila Administrator, said officials will continue discussing safe and feasible options with labor partners towards the best solution for the community. "We want to be proactive. We care about this community, we want to make sure that we're making good decisions that our mayor and council are well informed," said Cline. Cline said the city has already seen a $4 million loss of revenue since the beginning of the outbreak. "A lot of the economic activity is shut down. We'll be losing sales tax and admissions tax and business tax and gambling tax," said Cline. In March, Mayor Allan Ekberg announced a five-part plan to help balance the budget during the health crisis.