The Fritch Volunteer Fire Department Chief Zeb Smith has died while battling a structure fire. Officials say he was battling a structure fire when he had a heart attack Tuesday morning. According to a news release from the City of Borger/Hutchinson County OEM, Chief Smith was first on the scene, demonstrating his unwavering commitment and service to the Fritch community. During the response, he faces unforeseen challenges and, despite emergency medical assistance and quick transportation to Golden Plains Community Hospital, succumbed to his injuries. Chief Smith served the Fritch and Hutchinson County community with selflessness and dedication for many years, and was appointed as the Fritch Fire Chief in 2020.  

An influx of hundreds of firefighters and more favorable weather conditions on Monday helped authorities in the Texas Panhandle keep the largest wildfire in state history from threatening more homes and communities, fire officials said. Strong winds spread flames and led to the evacuation of the small town of Sanford on Sunday while airplanes dropped fire retardants to stop a blaze that was quickly contained thanks to hundreds of firefighters who were deployed on the ground, said Deidra Thomas, a spokeswoman for the Hutchinson County Emergency Management. "Yesterday had we not had the resources we had, that fire could have been catastrophic," Thomas said Monday. "We're in a really good position today and tomorrow and hopefully through the rest of the week."  

A 61-year-old Vidor man died following an industrial accident Monday afternoon at an Orange County steel mill. John May, 61, of Vidor, died following the accident at Optimus Steel, LLC, according Orange County Sheriff's Office Captain Joey Jacobs. May was removing waste from a steelmaking process when, for an unknown reason, the equipment he was using caught on fire according to a statement from the company. The fire was first reported just before 2 p.m. May sustained injuries from the fire and was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. OSHA and Optimus Steel will continue to investigate this incident to determine what happened.  

The city just opened its newest combined fire/EMS station in Southeast Austin. The new station, located on E. Slaughter Lane near the Goodnight Ranch neighborhood, will help reduce response times for people living in the area, according to ATCEMS. Those who attended were able to check out the new station, but they also were able to participate in EMS training, learn how to use a fire hose, try on gear and take a tour of the firetrucks and ambulances. In 2018, the Austin Fire Department released a study detailing multiple areas the city was failing to respond under eight minutes. These areas had experienced significant development and increased population. Goodnight Ranch was one of the areas identified. ‘We know the city of Austin continues to grow as well as our outlying suburbs," said Selena Xie, president of Austin EMS Association.  

One person was killed after an enormous fire Monday night at a suburban Detroit warehouse known to stock combustible materials ignited explosions, shook homes and rained down debris as far as a mile away, officials and residents said. Emergency services were called at 8:50 p.m. Monday to a building in Clinton Township shared by a business named Goo and a distribution company named Select Distributors. On its website, Select Distributors says it supplies novelty items and phone accessories to dollar stores, and sells vape products, nitrous oxide and CBD oils. Goo calls itself a smoke shop and sells tobacco, smoking paraphernalia and other items, according to NBC affiliate WDIV of Detroit. The fire sent debris flying into the air and coming down as far as a mile away from the explosion site, the Clinton Township Police Department said.  

VIDEO: The Harristown Fire Protection District held a table talk for firefighters and retired chiefs from across the state. Participants from Niantic to Chicago were present to offer some advice and hear why they started the job in the first place. "I'm just hoping to learn from other people and to make my fire ground and our fire ground, the calls that we run, hopefully a safer environment and be able to pass this along to our firefighters and chief officers," said Fire Chief of the South Wheatland Fire Protection District, Tom Williams. The four-hour event helped remind firefighters about the danger that comes with the job, and how they can better serve their community while avoiding it. "It's for their safety. These men and women coming to help them are well trained and we're teaching them to make sure that they save their life to protect their properties," said Thomas Carbboneau, Retired Chief of the Chicago Fire Protection District.  

PHOTOS: Two state-of-the-art fireboat stations housing new fire boats for emergencies in and near the Port of Long Beach were dedicated and opened up for media and guests during an open house on Friday, March 1. Public officials were on hand also to hail the additions to the Long Beach port waterfront. "These fireboat stations will provide an important and invaluable safety service to our port," Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in prepared remarks. "Our firefighters are now equipped with the most sophisticated facilities and emergency response capabilities to protect our port, its valuable assets and our waterfront workers." The facilities come online during a time when activity at the port complex continues increasing with traffic that includes larger vessels and work to modernize the infrastructure.  

As a brand that aspires to spread smiles for the past 60 years, this pancake season Nutella is seeking to shine a light on those who spread positivity in their local communities with "Stacks for Giving Back." Through this program, Nutella has partnered with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the leading association representing the nation's volunteer fire and emergency services, to award $25,000 in fire department grants. In addition, consumers can nominate fire departments to receive a kit to help pull off their next pancake fundraiser. Fire departments face many challenges to afford equipment, recruit and retain firefighters, and keep up with high pressure demands due to increasing call volume, new training requirements, and much more.