Tractor-trailer driver seriously hurt in fiery crash with 3 fire trucks on I-85 in North Carolina

VIDEO: The driver of a big rig was seriously hurt in a Tuesday morning crash involving three fire trucks that shut down a portion of Interstate 85 in Rowan County for hours. The crash happened shortly before 5 a.m. in the southbound lanes near mile marker 82, north of Long Ferry Road and near the Yadkin River. Officials said three fire engines from the Millers Ferry Fire Department were in the process of clearing from another call on the interstate when the tractor-trailer crashed into them. Officials said the 18-wheeler collided with one fire truck and sent it careening into the other two. No firefighters were hurt in the crash. The driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, authorities told Channel 9. Witnesses said the tractor-trailer immediately caught fire after the impact, as did one of the fire trucks. The firefighters on the scene were able to quickly pull the driver from the cab of the big rig before it went up in flames.
WSCO-TV ABC 9 Charlotte

Colorado firefighter wins NBC’s ’The Titan Games’

North Metro firefighter Matt Chan was crowned champion during Monday night's season finale of "The Titans Games" on NBC. Chan and Dani Speegle each took home the title after competing among a field of elite athletes in a series of intense athletic competitions. Along with the title, Chan and Speegle are each taking home a $100,000 cash prize. Show host Dwayne Johnson had some kind words for the Titan Games winners. “Matt and Dani have showcased exactly what it takes to become a Titan through their hard work, mental toughness and being the hardest workers in the room,” Dwayne Johnson said. “They have overcome incredible obstacles to make it here today, and their stories have inspired millions across the country during these challenging times. I’m very proud of our athletes and grateful to our audience for making this an incredible season.”
KUSA-TV NBC 9 Denver

Quick action by firefighters saved Rachael Ray’s New York home

VIDEO: The images shot from above Rachael Ray's Lake Luzerne home offer some perspective of the damage. Most of it, according the county fire coordinator, was contained to the second floor of the two-story, 12-year-old home. "The kitchen wasn't touched at all, so pretty much the whole first floor is in good shape," said Warren County Fire Coordinator Brian LaFlure. Judging from the first images of the fire, Ray and her family were fortunate. It was reported Sunday at about 7:30 p.m. A neighbor alerted Ray and her family and called 911. Because the home is on a private road in the middle of the woods, well off Route 9-N, with no hydrants nearby, the fire chief called in mutual aid from Warren and Saratoga counties right away. Chief Ted Backus of the Luzerne-Hadley Volunteer Fire Company is glad he did. "When we arrived we had flames through the roof," said Backus, "and I just started calling for mutual aid departments and everybody came as quickly as they could."
WNYT-TV NBC 13 Albany

Nearly 600 children diagnosed with syndrome linked to COVID-19, CDC says

Nearly 600 children in the United States have been diagnosed with a medical syndrome linked to COVID-19 and 10 of those children have died as a result, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC released updated information Friday as it continues to track the prevalence and effects of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children, known as MIS-C. The agency received 570 reported cases of MIS-C between March 2 and July 29 — up more than 200 from the 342 cases reported on July 15. At least 40 states, New York City and the District of Columbia have one or more reported cases of the syndrome, according to the CDC. In New York, 245 cases of MIS-C have been reported, state officials said Sunday. That's only up by about 100 cases since mid-May.
WPIX-TV CW 11 New York

Massachusetts: Plymouth Fire Department Helps Escort Mayflower II Into Plymouth Harbor

Chief G. Edward Bradley is pleased to announce that the Plymouth Fire Department assisted local and state agencies to provide an escort for the renovated Mayflower II ship into Plymouth Harbor on Monday, Aug. 10. The ship, which is a replica of the original Mayflower that brought the Pilgrims to America 400 years ago this year, docked at Pilgrim Memorial State Park following a month-long journey up the coast from Connecticut. The ship had been receiving more than $11 million worth of renovations at the Mystic Seaport. Once complete, the ship sailed up the coast and docked at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay on Saturday. Monday marked the final leg of the ship’s journey. Plymouth Fire Department’s fire boat joined in the escort alongside units from the Plymouth Police Department, Plymouth Harbormaster, Massachusetts State Police Marine Unit and Massachusetts Environmental Police.
The CapeCod.com NewsCenter

At least 1 dead, 3 injured after major explosion in Baltimore, officials say

VIDEO: One person has died and at least three others are critically injured after several houses exploded in Baltimore on Monday morning, officials say. The explosion happened in the area of 6500 blk Reisterstown Rd 21215. Firefighters have rescued three critically injured patients. Special Rescue Operations are searching for more victims. Some of the trapped individuals might be children, Baltimore firefighters say. A second alarm has been called. This explosion happened on the 4-year anniversary of the Flower Branch Apartments explosion that left seven people dead, including two children.
WJLA-TV ABC 7 Washington DC

Third Houston firefighter in ICU with COVID-19 as department prepares for another’s funeral, union president reports

Another Houston firefighter is in the ICU with COVID-19 as of Friday night, according to the firefighters union president. According to the union president, Captain Tommy Searcy was in the ICU as of Friday night. The news comes as Houston firefighters prepare to bury 17-year HFD veteran Jerry Pacheco, who died on August 3 from coronavirus. "While we make final preparations to bury our brother Firefighter/Paramedic Jerry Pacheco tomorrow, we are asking for Houston to pray for Capt. Tommy Searcy who is now in ICU. Prayers Needed!" the union president tweeted Friday night. Houston Fire Department tweeted about Captain Searcy on Thursday, praying for a speedy recovery. Searcy is the third Houston firefighter to be treated in the ICU with COVID-19. Two other firefighters have died, including Pacheco, and Captain Leroy Lucio, a 29-year veteran of the department.
KHOU-TV CBS 11 Houston

Massachusetts firefighters’ union holds rally to save fire engine

The New Bedford firefighter’s union rallied on Sunday to oppose the mayor’s proposal to take an engine off the road. The rally started and ended at Station 8 in the city’s north end. The union argues that public safety would be compromised if the cuts are made. The proposal cuts engine 8 and ten vacant firefighter positions. City of New Bedford Public Information Officer Jonathan Carvalho told NBC 10 that the main reason is a financial one due to the pandemic. Cuts to the budget should prevent layoffs, Carvalho said. He added the recommendation was made by the fire chief and called it the "least painful cut to make." Carvalho said there would still be another engine to respond to calls. NBC 10 previously reported that two people died in fires earlier this year while the city’s blackout policy was in effect. A blackout is when stations transition out of service on a daily basis to save money.
WJAR-TV NBC 10 New Bedford

CDC issues new guidelines on face coverings

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released new guidance on wearing face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic. The CDC still encourages people to wear masks so they don’t infect others, but they should not have valves or vents that could allow the virus to escape the mask. For months, America’s top health officials and experts have pounded home the message: We have to wear masks to combat this pandemic. But the U.S. government says not just any mask will do. The CDC says we should not wear masks with one-way vents, or valves. A trainer of front-line medical personnel, wearing protective gear, explains why: “Masks with valves have a one-way valve. And this doesn’t work — because what happens, and we’ve known this for a long time– when I breathe out, that valve only opens and allows that air to escape from me, which could infect you,” said Gavin MacGregor-Skinner, Global Biorisk Advisory Council.
WRBL-TV CBS 3 Columbus

Few San Francisco firefighters have coronavirus antibodies, UCSF study finds

Only a handful of San Francisco Fire Department members tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies in a recent UCSF study, even though nearly half of those surveyed said they had probably or definitely been around people infected by the virus. Just three of 1,223 people who were tested had antibodies for the virus, according to a summary of the results made public by UCSF. The study tested two-thirds of the department’s employees, and featured people in every job category, including firefighters and paramedics. Researchers believe it is among the first COVID-19 antibody studies of emergency responders who do not work in a hospital, according to UCSF’s Dr. Robert Harrison, who directed the study. Harrison said the low positive tests are likely a reflection of the “powerful public health action” the Bay Area took when it shut down in March, combined with the Fire Department’s pandemic work practices, including the use of N95 respirator masks.
San Francisco Chronicle - Metered Site