San Angelo Fire Chief Brian Dunn, who has served on the San Angelo Fire Department for 32 years, will retire Feb. 25. A City of San Angelo release said Dunn has served a 21-year stint as SAFD's chief, having assumed the position in January 2001 at the age of 33. "In addition to applying for department ranks when the opportunities became available, Dunn's educational achievements certainly did not hinder his chances at chief. At that time, he had a master's degree in management, bachelor's in finance and associate degree in fire protection technology. He has added Certified Public Manager to that list, having completed Texas State University's Certified Public Manager program in 2010," the release states.  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Trey McDaniel still wonders how much different his life would be if he stayed in bed one minute longer on Feb. 11 last year. "You just play the events over and over and over in your head," he said. "You know, ‘what could I have done differently?'" He was driving down Interstate 35W South, his normal route to work at MedStar as a paramedic. Jesse Robinson wasn't far behind and was headed to JPS Hospital where he's an EMT. "Everything was fine for like the first 30 minutes," Robinson said. Two exits before reaching downtown Fort Worth, though, there's a bend to the left and a hill drivers can't see over. At the top, the express lanes were coated in black ice. With no previous issues on roads, drivers were going the posted 75 mph limit. By the time anyone could see brake lights at the top, little could be done. "That's when I tried to hit the brakes, and nothing was catching," Robinson said. "I was sliding forever," McDaniel said. "I must've skid 300, 400 yards."  

The Amarillo Fire Department announced it is has approved a new permit for the Amarillo Medical Services (AMS) in the community. AFD said both organizations collaborated to improve the city's overall emergency medical services system, with patient care being the primary aim for the new permit. The new permit will aim to clarify reimbursements to the city, restocking of used medical supplies, and ambulance requirements. The new permit also enhances compliance and clarifies oversight, creating more transparency. In addition, both agencies have agreed to support EMS-related community educational efforts, such as "Stop the Bleed" and CPR training as part of the renewal said AFD. Additionally, the new permit mandates annual participation from both agencies in joint training and reinforces using the AFD's mobile classroom, enhancing on-site training quality.  

Multiple agencies responded to a fire in Spicewood off Highway 71 Tuesday afternoon that grew to 25 acres. It was contained. Two structures were threatened by the fire near 3500 Fall Creek Rd., which is just west of Highway 71, a Pedernales Fire Department spokesperson told KXAN. The fire was reported around 1:20 p.m. STAR Flight was dropping water on hot spots, a Travis County spokesperson said. For one of the homes, a Pedernales Fire Department spokesperson said the fire almost reached it, and an occupant was in the yard with a garden hose fighting the fire. Seeing the smoke Tuesday afternoon was an unsettling feeling for neighbors nearby. "Fire is one of those things that you can't control. I'm always paying attention to the wind," said David Johnson.  

Multiple crews responded to a house fire in the 100 block of N. Tyler Street on Wednesday morning. It was reported around 6 a.m. A single family lived in the home and they made it out safely, officials said. Crews extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported and there was no damage to surrounding structures, officials said. McGregor, Moody and Crawford Fire Departments were on scene. The family was renting the home and the homeowner is providing them a place to stay. The cause of the fire is under investigation.  

PHOTOS: Multiple fire crews near San Patricio County battled a brush fire in Odem after officials said a truck's catalytic converter got hot and started the blaze. Odem Fire Chief Porfirio Huerta said the fire started before 2 p.m., and burned about eight-to-ten acres of land, including a barn and a few old cars. San Patricio County Sheriff Oscar Rivera said there were "over 100 cars on the property and most of them still had fuel in them," which delayed crews from putting it out quickly. The Texas Forestry Service was called, Rivera said, to bulldoze the area of the tall grass and brush. Huerta said the Papalote, Skidmore, Beeville, Taft, Mathis, Sinton, and Odem fire departments worked the fire.  

A massive apartment fire has been burning in northwest Oklahoma City since early Tuesday evening. Around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, crews responded to a fire at The Canton at Classen Curve near Northwest 63rd Street and Grand Avenue near the Nichols Hills area. The fire continued into Wednesday, and crews are still battling flames as of 8:45 a.m. as they spread to nearly the entire complex. Authorities said they cannot get a handle on the fire mainly because of the size of the building. Crews have dumped more than 2 million gallons of water on the fire. Battalion Fire Chief Benny Fulkerson told KOCO 5 rubber materials on the roof caused the fire to spread, and crews have had issues putting out the flames. Flames reached the lower floors, and authorities are worried more of the building will collapse.  

VIDEO: Trey McDaniel still wonders how much different his life would be if he stayed in bed one minute longer on Feb. 11 last year. "You just play the events over and over and over in your head," he said. "You know, ‘what could I have done differently?'" He was driving down Interstate 35W South, his normal route to work at MedStar as a paramedic. Jesse Robinson wasn't far behind and was headed to JPS Hospital where he's an EMT. "Everything was fine for like the first 30 minutes," Robinson said. Two exits before reaching downtown Fort Worth, though, there's a bend to the left and a hill drivers can't see over. At the top, the express lanes were coated in black ice. With no previous issues on roads, drivers were going the posted 75 mph limit. By the time anyone could see brake lights at the top, little could be done.  

City residency requirements have been lifted for Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire firefighters. That is the ruling of a neutral arbitrator who has determined the city did not have the right to restrict residency. The arbitrator has now issued a cease and desist order on the city's enforcement of residency for its firefighters. By declaring the requirement invalid, all 657 uniform firefighters are now free to live wherever they choose. "My membership is obviously happy with the decision that's come down," Ralph Sicuro of the Pittsburgh Firefighters Union said. City police officers were granted that option four years ago, and now the city firefighters have it. Sicuro said it's the right decision. "I think giving people the choice to live in the city or whether they want to live in the suburbs is the right thing to do," he said. "Everybody should have the ability to choose."  

When it comes to occupational hazards, few jobs are as dangerous as fighting fires. "I fell through a floor once," said veteran firefighter Michael Butkus. "High rise fires, those are the worst, and you don't think you're going to get out of there." Butkus has been with the Chicago Fire Department for three decades. He spent 28 years in the field. He says when he was starting out wearing an oxygen mask wasn't considered a priority. "I don't care how long you wear a mask for, how many bottles you go through, you're still going to get some of that stuff in your lungs," said Butkus. Even with better safety gear, today's firefighters battle blazes in homes made of more synthetic and petroleum-based materials that are extremely carcinogenic.  

PHOTOS: It started with an old black and white photograph from the Grand Junction Fire Department archives. Next came about a half a ton of sheet metal. Then it was time for Jeff Bates to go to work. That was about three months ago. On Tuesday, tucked under a weathered white cowboy hat, Bates and a pair of helpers installed the finished sculpture on the cinderblock wall of Grand Junction Fire Station No. 6 at 729 27 Road. "It's a real feather in my cap to have this featured on a fire station," Bates said Tuesday. "It was a great opportunity. "It really represents the community as well and this is historically accurate, it's based on a historic photograph from the Grand Junction Fire Department." The intricate metal work shows two horses pulling a fire wagon with a pair of old-time firefighters.