Around 10:30 a.m., Smith County EMS received a call about a structure fire in Winona. The incident took place in the 19600 block of FM 1252. When crews arrived on scene, a storage shed was completely engulfed in flames, close to a group of homes. Smith County Fire was able to get the situation under control, limiting the damage to the shed only and preventing any other building from being damaged. Smith County Fire Marshall Chad Hogue talked about how crews assess an incident like this. "Its always a concern when first arriving units are in," Hogue said. "The wind is blowing a little bit today, but they were able to handle it pretty quick and get it under control. When they arrived, it is my understanding there were flames already venting through the roof, and it was 100 percent involved with fire."  

VIDEO: Texoma's first responders are learning how to save their own and their colleagues' lives. This year is the third annual Texoma Peer Support Training for all types of first responders - Employees and family members of Denison Fire Rescue, Denison Police Department, Sherman Fire-Rescue, Sherman Police Department, Van Alstyne Fire Department, Whitesboro Fire Department, Air Evac, Texoma Medical Center, and Cooke County EMS were included in the policy manual. Mark Escamilla, Denison Assistant Fire Chief, saw a growing need for mental health outlets to help Grayson County's first responders after a personal loss. "One of my brothers at the fire department, because we had no resources, we were not able to get him help at the time he needed. So, that's kind of stuck with me and been what has lead me to stay with this," said Escamilla.  

A family pet was rescued by firefighters during a house fire on Monday, April 22, according to the Harker Heights Fire Department. Harker Heights FD said the fire happened along Delaware Drive around 3:34 p.m. When firefighters arrived they reportedly found a two-story, single-family home with "heavy smoke and heat throughout the entire occupancy." Firefighters reportedly began battling the blaze and searching the home. According to the department, all people were out of the home, but one family pet was rescued unharmed and returned to the homeowners. The fire was extinguished, according to the department, with no fire spreading to nearby homes or property. The fire is reportedly being investigated by the Harker Heights Fire Marshal's Office.  

Black smoke billowing from the cold storage warehouse fire in Finley over the weekend carried burning plastic and other potentially toxic building materials into the air, including anhydrous ammonia. About 14,000 pounds of ammonia, which was used as a refrigerant at the frozen vegetable warehouse, was lost in the fire, the Washington Department of Ecology confirmed Tuesday to the Tri-Cities Herald. Benton County Fire District 1 fielded numerous questions from the public about a possible ammonia release, said Jenna Kochenauer, the district's public information officer. Ammonia is caustic and hazardous when released in large volumes, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, which notes that it is difficult to ignite and that its smell tends to drive people away before concentration levels become dangerous.  

VIDEO: Walk through most northern Michigan fire departments and you are bound to see a variety of trucks and vehicles they use to respond to emergencies. But one local fire department has a new addition unlike any other department around. "It's different every day. I get to meet different people every day. Unfortunately, sometimes I see them in their worst conditions, but it's different every day," said Fire Chief Paul Fabiano. Something different every day. For the firefighters at South Torch Lake Fire and Rescue, that means they have to be prepared for just about anything. A quick walk through the fire station shows you they are. "Every vehicle has a purpose," Chief Fabiano said. But their latest addition -- just a few weeks old -- might seem familiar in form, just not expected in this fleet.  

In a new partnership allowing firefighters to perform whole blood transfusions in the field, Colorado Springs firefighters predict they will be able to save more lives while out on calls. The partnership is with UCHealth. It gives firefighters the equipment they need to be able to give whole blood to patients suffering from blood loss while in the field. "This is the bridge between those patients dying in the field and living and making it through emergency surgery," Fire Chief Randy Royal said. Whole blood is a vital fluid that can be given in emergency situations to help those experiencing blood loss make it to the hospital to get more extensive emergency treatment. "What we also recognize from new research is that you have to give it in the first 15 minutes to 30 minutes of injury," said Dr. David Steinbruner, a doctor at UCHealth with experience in emergency medicine.  

According to Rochester firefighter and paramedic Mark Lawrence, having a good sense of humor is "almost a prerequisite" in his field of work. On Friday, May 17, Lawrence's sense of humor, which he described as "absurd," could help him take home a $5,000 prize. Lawrence will compete against five other New England firefighters in a stand-up comedy competition put on by the International Association of Fire Fighters. All proceeds from the event will go towards Firefighters vs. Cancer, a nonprofit organization that provides free cancer screenings for firefighters. "It's for a great cause — It's proven that the very equipment we wear to protect us in fires is slowly killing us over time," said Lawrence. According to former Boston Fire Department Lieutenant Mike Foley, about 40% of all firefighters working today will be diagnosed with cancer during their careers.